Some people say that reading a book is an excellent way to travel to other places without physically going anywhere. Getting to know a person from different country is another way to do this; students at the Ybor campus are fortunate enough to have this opportunity.
This past August, 14 international students from Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, South Africa, El Salvador, Guatemala and Belize came to the Ybor campus to further their education.
These travelling students went through many procedures in order to become college students in the states. They focus on learning American culture, as well as sharing their culture with Americans.
The Community College for International Development (CCID), in partnership with the Fulbright Commission and HCC, is responsible for bringing the students here for a year.
“This opportunity has been amazing. I’ve been learning so much about my major, business management, and the American culture,” said Brazilian student Larissa Ripari. “The American students, just like all the HCC staff, are great. They made my adaptation here so much easier and I know that once I return to my country I will be apt to build a better reality for me and my community,” she said.
Since 2007, Jodi Haller has been responsible for coordinating the international student program at HCC. According to Haller, the program is very important to the college community.
”It offers an opportunity to broaden the horizons and see how other students function, what they study and what their study habits are,” she said.
The student’s scholarship provides each with things like tuition, books, and housing.
“There are also funds for extracurricular activities to learn about the American culture, our government and everything that is related to it,” said Haller
The 2009/2010 CCID group is divided between two majors, media and business; it is easy to meet these students anywhere at the Ybor campus.
Students interested in learning about other cultures, are encouraged to join CCID International Student Club which meets every Wednesday in YPST 258 at 2:30 p.m.
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