Last Saturday, July 14, the Session A J-1 interns of the Cross Cultural Internship Program (CCIP, www.theccip.com) gathered at Flushing Bank for their end of session debriefing. The CCIP participants were saying goodbye to their host organizations, New York City, and each other, marking the end of a journey. For many, it was an emotional farewell.

At the debriefing, the interns were given time to take care of final program matters before their return home. The CCIP participants were briefed on their tax responsibilities in the United States and were also reminded to close their accounts with Flushing Bank. Bank officials were on hand to assist with these final steps.

The interns said their heartfelt goodbyes to their temporary housemates, internship colleagues, and fellow students. After nearly two months together, the group vowed to hold onto their new friendships upon their return to their respective homes. Their time in NYC created lasting memories and deep connections.

"Some days were challenging, some were frustrating, some were tiring, some were hectic, some were fun, some were amazing," shared Gary Lo, who spent the summer interning with GC Eng & Associates, an engineering consulting firm in NYC. "It's hard to describe these weeks of experience, but if I had to choose one word, it would be ‘enlightening’. I’ve grown, both professionally and personally."

Though the end of Session A was bittersweet, a new group of interns will soon arrive and begin their own journey. CCIP is excited to greet the new arrivals and help them as they take on the many challenges of an international internship.