Center for Cultural Interchange and Greenheart Blog

Ketevan Chitashvili, an CCI FLEX exchange student from The Republic of Georgia, recalls her visit to the Idaho State Capitol on February 15-16. Ketevan, along with other CCI exchange students, had a chance to meet the Governor, Senators, and Representatives and learn more about their work in the government. The students had the opportunity to talk about their time living and volunteering in their host communities. Read more.

CCI's Work and Travel staff received a lesson in Thai culture last week from Thai Consulate members in Chicago at their department's "Lunch and Learn" session. The Consulate shared their perspectives on cultural exchange and the customs and traditions of Thai students. Read more.

CCI's Work and Travel Business Development Coordinator, Mike Altier, heads to the shores of the Lone Star state to meet with CCI-Greenheart employers and local chambers of commerce.  Read more about Mike's trip.

Donghah Lee is a CCI high school exchange student who is spending the year with a host family in Arkansas. At the end of March, he will be participating in the Greenheart Spring Break trip to Hawaii. He wrote this letter to his future host family in Hawaii. 

My name is Donghah Lee and I’m from South Korea. People call me Jake Lee in the U.S.A so that they can say it easier. I have lived in Arkansas as an exchange student since September 2009. Basically, I like that I stay in Arkansas. I’m learning and experiencing many things. How to get along with many different people, how they live in America, independent spirit, how precious my family is, etc. I can’t even say all of them! I really like the fact that I have foreign friends and an American family. Read more.

Hello everyone! I’m Ketevan, an exchange student from The Republic of Georgia. I’ve been living in the U.S.A for six months and I’m really enjoying my time! I live in an awesome community and I’m having a good experience. Read more of Ketevan's blog.

CCI's FLEX and YES students in Hawaii were treated to a day at the State legislature on January 22, 2010. This learning experience helped the exchange students gain a better understanding of the law-making process. They also had the chance to meet the Lt. Governor, Senators, and Representatives. Read more. 

Work and Travel Business Development Coordinator Mike Altier heads to Pittsburgh to visit our latest and greatest employers, including Courtyard by Marriott GM, Dawn Roberts and Regional Director, Michael Roberts, and walked away with a fresh perspective on the city, their company (and great GM’s!) and international college students from Brazil. Read more.

You all know it – the I-9 form. This form is used by employers to verify their employee’s identities and establish that they’re eligible to accept employment in the U.S. Unfortunately; some employers try to pull one over or simply make careless errors when filling these out, which could and will cost you some hefty fines, especially this year. Read more.