The Community College Egypt Initiative Program enables individuals from Egypt to spend one year studying at Shasta College and earn a vocational certificate.
The program provides academic instruction in selected fields including tourism and hospitality, welding, information technology, agriculture, business management and administration, health professions, while also immersing participants in U.S. society and cultural life. After completing the program, participants return home with new skills and experiences that enable them to contribute to the growth and development of their countries and societies.
Participants are recruited from historically underserved populations and may not have had opportunities for formal job training or higher education. Most participants are in their early- to mid-twenties and many already have work experience. Nearly 400 students have benefited since the program’s inception from study at host institutions across the United States.
The Community College Initiative Program demonstrates the United States' commitment to increasing access to higher education for underserved international students in key regions and utilizes the unique resource represented by U.S. community colleges. The program reinforces U.S. community colleges’ efforts to become involved in international education and develop international ties.
As a special component of the Community College Initiative Program, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, is providing support to young Egyptian men and women to develop professional skills and enhance their leadership abilities at U.S. community colleges. The program also provides Egyptian participants with opportunities to improve their understanding of U.S. culture and society.
The program also provides Egyptian participants with opportunities to improve their understanding of U.S. culture and society. The Foundation for California Community Colleges in conjunction with California ETEC and California Community College Systems Office, received the grant to administer the Community College Initiatives.
Three organizations have received awards to administer the Community College Initiative for Egypt: Northwest Colleges, a consortium of three community colleges in Washington State, including Edmonds, Spokane, and Whatcom Community Colleges; the California Community Colleges; and CCID.