The American Center at the U.S. Embassy Dhaka is pleased to announce the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program for the academic year 2017-18. The CCI Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This is a non-degree program but students will earn credits for two semesters upon completion of the program.
CCI provides participants from Bangladesh and other selected countries with opportunities to study at community colleges in the United States to build mutual understanding through a non-degree program of academic, vocational, and cultural studies. It is an intensive program intended to provide student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. Since 2007, nearly 2,150 students from 15 countries have received scholarships for study at community colleges throughout the United States.
Students who have completed their higher secondary education will spend one academic year in the United States enrolled full-time at an American community college. The 2018-2019 program provides academic instruction to community colleges throughout the U.S. in the fields of applied engineering, agriculture, business management and administration, early childhood education, information technology, media, public safety, and tourism and hospitality management.
Although participants may earn an academic certificate in their field of study and gain first-hand practical experience through internships in their field of study, this is not a degree program. The student will earn full credits for two semesters.
In addition to receiving professional training, participants develop leadership skills, build English language proficiency, and learn about American society and culture, including community service and social responsibility. After completing the program, participants will return to their home countries with new skills to help them contribute to the economic growth and development of their countries.
Participants are expected to be highly motivated and exemplary students who have completed their HSC or A-levels.
Benefits
This program is a fully funded scholarship, meaning that it provides you with the tuition and the living allowance. The full scholarship award is listed below:
- Tuition
- Airplane ticket
- Living allowance
- Health insurance
- Cultural enhancement activities
Eligibilities
- Be Bangladeshi citizens and not dual citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or any other country;
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Have passport valid until February 2020
- Have completed their HSC degree / A-levels or be currently enrolled as first-year university students;
- Be able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa and meet the program conditions to maintain that status;
- Be proficient in written and spoken the English language, and able to obtain a minimum iBT TOEFL score of 65-71 or an IELTS score of 6.0. If you already have a TOEFL or IELTS score, please submit it with your application
- Have at least a B+ average, without any failing grades;
- Be willing and able to accurately represent Bangladeshi culture in American institutions and communities;
- Be committed to returning to Bangladesh upon completion of the program and satisfying the J-visa two-year residency requirement;
- Have demonstrated leadership skills;
- Have limited or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere outside of their home country;
- Be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and educational travel;
- Be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to make adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country;
- Be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive; and
- Be able to begin the academic exchange program in the U.S. in July 2017
- A medical examination is also required for participation in the program
Application Process
The recruitment process will include the following steps:
- Step 1: Please submit your complete application on or before Monday, December 4, 2017, by e-mail to [email protected], or submit a hard copy either in person or by courier service to the American Center.
- Step 2: Short-listed candidates will be called for interviews by the end of December 2017. Selected candidates are required to complete medical tests and a test of English language proficiency such as TOEFL or IELTS by January 20, 2018. The English language test will be sponsored by the American Center for the shortlisted candidates.
General Application Instruction:
- Submit a completed original application with your signature on the last page. Please submit only pages 4-15, as there is no need to include application instruction pages 1-3 and 16-23;
- Please answer ALL questions on the application in English (except where specified). DO NOT leave a space
blank. If a question does not apply to you, enter N/A (not applicable); - Include your full legal name or family name (surname) exactly as spelled on your international passport;
- Include complete contact information, including dialing codes for all addresses and city/country codes for all
phone numbers; Please include your own cell numbers, please do not use your relatives or friends cell numbers. - All handwritten applications must be neatly printed;
- Enclose your SSC and HSC / O-level and A-level transcripts/grade sheets;
- Enclose at least one recommendation letter from your teachers;
- A passport size photo
- Enclose a photocopy of your passport; only the information page. Please note that we will not be able to register you for an English language test if you do not have a passport; and
- Submit your application by the deadline.
Application Deadline: December 4, 2017
Application ClosedOfficial link
