Making Global Connections in the CCI Program-Participant Story Traveling all the way from India, Siraj Syed’s  first experience in the U.S. as part of the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program was attending an arrival orientation held in Atlanta, Georgia, with around 90 other international students.

“When I spent the three days in Atlanta I was just a shy person,”  says Siraj.

His encounter with an American traveler when he missed his flight from Atlanta to his host community college in Ohio gave Siraj a new perspective on American hospitality. 

“Americans are really friendly,”  says Siraj. “[The man] took the time to understand me because my flight changed. He even gave me quarters for the telephone,” which Siraj used to notify his program coordinator.  This was a relief to Siraj because it was difficult for him to ask others for help or to communicate fluently in English.

Once Siraj arrived at his college he didn’t waste much time getting involved on campus. He is currently the President of the Global Connections club, which provides connections between international and American students to foster intercultural learning.

“Normally, I conduct a weekly event and I put in some weekend activities to take [the international students] out and make them feel comfortable in the U.S. because they’re far from home,” says Siraj.

As President of the Global Connections club, Siraj continues to improve his communication skills and overcome his shyness by using resources at the Student Activity Center on campus, and working with faculty and advisors  to organize events hosted by the club. 

“I appreciate my program coordinator, the advisors and other teachers,” says Siraj. “They are really helpful. I can ask them and they will show me how to do something.” 

He enjoys the organizational work so much that he wants to establish a similar program at his home institution in India.  He’s even begun conversations with administrators to see how a similar club might work.

Siraj has come a long way since his first day in the U.S. He says, “I’m a more open-minded person, and I would not say I’m shy anymore. Professionally, I now know how to talk to people, how to properly communicate and how to speak to authoritative people in the workplace.”