Six international students from Egypt, India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Turkey are enrolled at DCCC during the 2011-2012 academic year. Their year of study is made possible through the Community College Initiative program (CCI), managed by Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) and the Fulbright Commission.

The six students comprise the first all-female cohort in CCI history. They are:

• Sarah Mohamed Abdelrahman, Egypt, Human Resource Management - "I hope to get my certificate with an excellent GPA in my field, visit a lot of states in the U.S.A., and to be a good representative of my country," Sarah said.
• Ayse Adka, Turkey, Business Administration - "I like listening to music, watching movies, and riding bikes," Ayse said. "I would like to share my culture and see some important places while I'm here."
• Bhinge Amruta Ajaykumar, India, Human Resource Management - "I hope to learn lots of new skills related to my field. While I'm at DCCC, I wish to firstly exhibit good behavior, to be punctual, to complete my homework regularly, and take part in every activity," Amruta said.
• Sandy Desirey, Indonesia, Business Administration - "I love traveling, adventures, culture, and photography," Sandy said. "I hope we can share our culture during my stay here. I like to listen to the music and watch movies just like any girl."
• Ismiyati Hasiru, Indonesia, Business Administration - "I'm going to study at DCCC to gain more special knowledge about business and hope that I can integrate business skills with my English education skills so I can get a good job and also provide jobs for people in my country," Izmi said.
• Vhutshilo Juliet Malivha, South Africa, Electronics Engineering Technology - "I hope to add new things to my vocabulary, to learn more about the state and the country, and to participate in community work like I do in my community at home, Vhutshilo said. "I am willing to participate in any events that take place at DCCC."

A weeklong celebration of international education, including the annual "A Taste of International" event, will take place Nov. 14-18 at Davidson County Community College.

International Education week will kick off with a pair of discussions on international issues led by students of communications faculty member Sylvia Walters. The first occurs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday on the Davidson Campus, Mendenhall 226. The second is set for Tuesday, Nov. 15, 12:30-3 p.m. on the Davie Campus in Mocksville.

The highlight of the celebration is the popular "A Taste of International" set for Thursday, Nov. 17 in Brinkley Gym. International exhibits and talent presentations, along with food and beverage samples, will be featured at both the 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. sessions. Admission to the event is $3 per person.

Other events during the week include:

• Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2-3 p.m., Mendenhall 226 - A Day in the Life, with international students Ismiyati Hasiru of Indonesia and Sarah Mohamed Abdelrahman of Egypt;
• Wednesday, Nov. 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 2-4 p.m., DCCC Conference Center - River Run film "An African Election," the story of the 2008 elections in Ghana, to be followed by a discussion moderated by Jane McKim of River Run Films;
• Friday, Nov. 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m., DCCC Conference Center - ESL Table Talk with discussion by the College's English as a Second Language students.

Federal grant monies totaling $2.6 million will allow Davidson County Community College to fund job training and workforce development programs geared toward helping displaced workers in Davidson and Davie counties. The funding is part of an $18.8 million grant package awarded to a consortium of nine North Carolina community colleges.

According to DCCC President Dr. Mary Rittling, the grant will allow the College to identify ways to improve advanced manufacturing offerings and provide support staff for students in the program. Business partnerships will be created so that students can gain experience in their chosen career fields.

"This grant will give us the opportunity to increase and provide the latest advanced technology in the field," Rittling said. "I think it's a real positive for all the communities we serve."

Other community colleges which are part of the grant consortium are Asheville-Buncombe, Robeson, Beaufort, Craven, Nash, Edgecombe, Surry and Haywood. The grant is part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) initiative, which helps develop instructional programs that meet specific industries' needs, strengthens technology-enabled learning and allows students and workers to access free learning materials online.