BMCC Launches First Student Cohort in Global Study Abroad Program Through CIEE Partnership

The conference center at Fiterman Hall buzzed with excitement on December 6 as 77 Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) students gathered to celebrate and prepare for their upcoming adventures studying abroad in places such as Ireland, South Africa and Japan as part of the College’s recent partnership with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).

“We wanted to give the students a space to connect with their peers who will be studying abroad alongside them, and we also provided a pre-departure orientation to offer guidance and prepare them for their travels,” said Sandra Cortez, manager of the office of Experiential Learning and Study Abroad, which organized the event. “One of our main goals was to have them reflect on what they want to gain from their experience, and how their experience will help them build career-related skills for the future.”

The students will embark on their journeys in December and January, and stay between two to three weeks depending on their host country.

Sixty-two students will participate in January CIEE programs where they will enroll in courses taught at CIEE Centers throughout the world in cities such as Amsterdam, Rome and Prague. Twelve students will participate in an Arabic language study program at the CIEE center in Morocco led by BMCC Modern Languages Professor Roa Harizi. Three students will study abroad through Salamanca University through their International Spanish Language program, also taking place in January.  The students will stay in shared apartments, dorms and homestays.

BMCC/CIEE partnership removes majority of financial obstacles

As part of the four-year partnership, CIEE provides $250,000 in matching grants each year to assist student program fee costs. Typically, CIEE programs would cost around $4,000, not including airfare.  Instead, thanks to the BMCC/CIEE partnership, most students pay around $600 plus airfare.  CIEE will also provide $500 travel grants for Pell-eligible students.

“BMCC is really the only college that offers this level of support for Study Abroad,” Cortez said at the event.  “Other schools don’t have the level of funding and scholarships BMCC is providing.”

The dearth of vigorous, well-funded Study Abroad programs has limited opportunities for the nation’s community college students. Associate degree students represented just 1.5 percent of students who studied abroad in the 2022-23 academic year according to statistics from the Institute of International Education.

“When we consider Black and Hispanic students, the statistics are even lower in terms of their study abroad experiences,” said Sharon Reid, Director of Internships and Experiential Learning. “The BMCC team has spoken with the program directors in each of the countries our students will be visiting,”

“This will be the most diverse group of students the (CIEE) program has seen,” she said.

More than 60% of BMCC’s study abroad participants are students of color and many are the first in their families to attend college.  BMCC’s goal is to provide study abroad experiences to at least one thousand students by 2028.

Studying abroad is life-changing

During the kick-off event, Vice President for Enrollment Management Sanjay Ramdath stressed to the students that the experience they were about to have would be life-changing.

“You guys are the first to go,” Vice President Ramdath said as the room broke out into applause. “We want more of our students, the ones who look like all of you all, to be able to go to these countries, to try the food, to explore and to really have fun. Learn the language, learn local phrases and culture and say yes to new experiences.”

BMCC President, Dr. Anthony E. Munroe has said that studying abroad is not merely about academic pursuits within the confines of the classroom.

“It is a transformative journey that opens doors to a world of diverse customs, traditions, and perspectives,” the President said earlier this year.

Students aim to expand their adaptability and experience new cultures

The students, seated around large round tables designated by the country and program they were headed too, were a cacophony of busy conversation.  At one table, students talked about the food they hope to try in Kyoto Japan while at another table, students were asking each other about public transportation in Spain.  Throughout the day, they engaged in exercises that included short presentations from each group sharing what they were hoping to take from their experience as well as some of the challenges they anticipate they’ll encounter.

Business Management major Souleymane Diallo, who moved to the United States from Guinea in 2018 will be studying in Kyoto Japan.  He says at first glance, he wasn’t sure if studying abroad would be feasible, but BMCC’s supportive programs such as the CIEE partnership made it possible.

“I’m excited about immersing myself in a new culture, and while there’s some nervousness, I believe it will be an enriching experience,” said Diallo. “My aim is to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture, enhance my adaptability and build skills for effective collaboration in diverse settings.”

Diallo says after graduating BMCC, he plans to transfer to a four-year college and International Business.  Ultimately, he plans to build a career in advertising and media.

Digital Marketing major Rafilenny Jimenez, who grew up in Washington Heights and now lives in Harlem, will be studying in Berlin in January.

“I feel it’s important for me to learn other languages and experience other culture and environments,” said Jimenez who hopes to meet and network with people in Germany. “Getting away from comfort zone will be a great opportunity to learn how to be more confident with myself.”

Computer Networking major Sarah Sellami moved to New York at age four with her parents, after spending her early childhood in France and Morocco.   Now she’s headed back to Rabat, Morocco to study Arabic.

“Spending time in Morocco, alone without my family, will help connect me with my native country, learn more about my culture and experience a sense of independence,” said Sellami. “I’ll also be learning Arabic in a new environment which I believe will help me learn faster.”

Theatre major Shaetjuan Smith, who grew up in Stapleton Staten Island and works as an actor, will be studying in Kyoto Japan.

“I’m look forward to gaining fluency in a new language and improving my communication skills through immersion in a new environment,” said Smith. “I’m also looking forward to making new life-long friends”

Learn more about BMCC’s Study Abroad program here.