CCIP Application Steps and Preparation

My college friends- Rahmi Hindriani and Yoan got this scholarship on year 2012-2013, and they encourage everyone to apply for the program. So, I downloaded the application form for year 2013-2014 program, wrote the essays (basically I just answer the questions) and submitted it.

CCIP stands for Community College Initiative Program (click to see more about it)

The Community College Initiative (CCI) Program provides a quality academic program at U.S. community colleges intended to build technical skills, enhance leadership capabilities, and strengthen English language proficiency. The program also provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities.
Participants spend one academic year in the United States and may earn certificates in their fields of study. After completing the program, participants return home with new skills and expertise to help them contribute to the economic growth and development of their country.
- See more at: http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/community-college-initiative-program#sthash.hlzUnDyP.dpu

The Community College Initiative (CCI) Program provides a quality academic program at U.S. community colleges intended to build technical skills, enhance leadership capabilities, and strengthen English language proficiency. The program also provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities.
Participants spend one academic year in the United States and may earn certificates in their fields of study. After completing the program, participants return home with new skills and expertise to help them contribute to the economic growth and development of their country.
- See more at: http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/community-college-initiative-program#sthash.hlzUnD

Our batch had a different timeline, which I’ll explain the details as best as I can because a lot of people who are interested in this program might need some references from the internet (the same way I did when I google to seek information about this program.) So I hope you’ll find this useful.

ABOUT, DEADLINE, APPLICATION FORM

The deadline for CCIP application form is usually in November each year and the program usually starts in July-September the next academic year. If you’re Indonesian, the program is administrated by AMINEF and you can find the information about all programs and application form here. There will be couple of programs you can choose, make sure you’re eligible and have all the requirement to complete including documents. 

PREPARATION
*This is the type of “the sooner the better” things to prepare.

• PASSPORT. In my suggestion, if you don’t have a passport right now, make one! If you already have one, you can always re-new because one of the requirement (to receive grant and join program) is to have a passport valid until the end period of the program. If you don’t have one, there will be some time to prepare (the official preparation). Official preparation means the preparation you do to complete all the requirement needed to be given to the official administrator of the program in your country. They will ask you to send documents, both softcopy (scan) via email and hardcopy (print/official/legalized copy) to their office.

• COPY OF ID CARD (Citizen card, Driver License, or Passport Datapage).

• TOEFL / ENGLISH TEST SCORE. You have to obtain at least certain score on your TOEFL test. The requirement for 2013-2014 CCIP is minimum 500. Please note that this should be TOEFL ITP, you can google to know more about it. Language or educational institution like ILP, LBI, and AMINEF hold the test but they have their own schedule, so call and ask.

DOCUMENTS

For CCIP we need following documents:

• High school Diploma

• High school Transcript

• University Diploma

• University Transcript

ALL NEED TRANSLATION in English. Some School or University have bilingual (Indonesia – English) language on the Diploma certificate or transcript, but if it doesn’t have the English, you can google for "Sworn Translator service" (jasa penerjemah), you can even manage one with online service, send the scan of your documents and they’ll send you the print out of the translation to your address. The fee for the service would be Rp. 50.000 – Rp. 75.000 per page of translation result. When you receive it, make sure to scan and keep the translation documents before you send it to the adm office.

All SCAN documents should be in PDF
KEEP A SCAN OF ORIGINAL keep it in your personal email or file storage

HAVE LEGALIZED/AUTHORIZED COPY OF EACH IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

If you make it to the next step, the program administrator will send you an email and ask your availability to come for the interview in AMINEF office. Based on my experience, emails from administrator are very clear. Just follow the instructions.

On the interview, as much as you’ll be nervous, brace yourself. Answer directly, and try to relax.
I received email on November 16th 2012 and had my interview on November 29th 2012.

After that, I received the email on 20th December 2012, saying that I’ve been nominated for the Community College Initiative Program by the American Indonesian Exchange Foundation (AMINEF) Board to pursue a professional enhancement program in the United States. But the final selection for this program will be made in Washington, D.C. Also we need to fill medical form completed by a doctor and send all the supporting documents. 

There is a requirement to have a Medical Check Up but you don’t actually have to have a full package medical check up, just do what’s asked and told in the medical form. (AMINEF will reimburse your medical cost around Rp. 800.000). Basically you only need a doctor to examine your whole body condition in general way and have him/her fill the form then do some lab test, and Mantoux or PPD skin test (to check whether you have a TB/TBC). PPD skin test was hard to get even in Jakarta. Most hospital didn’t have it because the med for the test is easily expired and hard to keep, so I had to roam around hospitals, even if the hospital can provide you it’ll cost 10x because they have to order it just for you. I got my PPD skin test at Mitra Kelapa Gading Hospital (If you’re in Jakarta, you should just come to this hospital. Well, call all the hospital first). It cost around Rp. 100.000 – Rp. 250.000
Also for the vaccines, you need MMR and DPT vaccines and it’s quite hard to find. So start searching for PPD skin test (commonly known as Mantoux test) and MMR and DPT/DT vaccines. Remember, some vaccines and test only valid 6 months before departure. Make sure you have a prove legal letters (in English) from doctor or hospital that assure you have taken your vaccines and tests.
Just to add a little information, the vaccine effect depends on your antibody level. My arm was swollen for almost a month but it wasn't hurt. Some people might have allergic to those medication or method.

After submitted all the documents and medical form, all we have to do is wait, patiently. The email stated that I've been officially selected to participate in CCIP came in May 23th 2013. Also stated which consortium and college (and campus) will I be in. I had about 2 weeks to prepare for my departure to Miami.

There’s also Pre-Departure Orientation for the Grantees from all over Indonesia. Really informative and prepare you upon your arrival. You are one step closer :)