Ivy Tech Community College Northeast is pleased to welcome two new international students on campus: Oumeima Hammami and Mariam Ghalleb.

The students, part of the U.S. Department of State’s Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program’s Tunisia Community College Scholarship Program, are each one to two years into their college programs in Tunisia. During their year-long stay at Ivy Tech Northeast, Hammami, who is studying networking in Tunisia, will work on a JAVA certificate at the College; Ghalleb, who is studying web design in Tunisia, will work on her web development and Microsoft certificates at the College.

“The Tunisian program is a perfect combination for community colleges,” says Sarah Rodriguez, the College’s director of International Programs. “It allows top-level students to come to the U.S. for one year to complete a certificate program that will aide them in their endeavors back home. For Ivy Tech, the students bring their perspective of American culture and teach Americans what it’s like outside the U.S. I am confident these young ladies in particular can teach us a lot—in order to become part of this program, they went through a rigorous selection process, so these are the top students from Tunisia.”

The Tunisia Community College Scholarship Program builds the workforce and leadership skills of a diverse group of young technical institute students from across Tunisia. Through U.S.-based training, practical professional experience, community engagement and service learning, Tunisian youth gain the skills needed to contribute to economic and social development in Tunisia.

Through this program, participants develop academic knowledge and skills in their field of study. By interacting with Americans in the classroom, in the community, and through service-learning activities, participants develop a broad and nuanced understanding of U.S. values, become citizen ambassadors, and create links between Tunisians and Americans to increase cross-cultural understanding.

In order to gain practical hands-on experience in their fields of study, participants engage in career preparation activities in the fall semester and undertake professional internships in the community during the spring semester. They return to Tunisia with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be leaders and innovators in their fields and contribute positively to Tunisia’s economic development.

The Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State, supported by the people of the United States, and administered by the International Research and Exchanges Board. For more information about the program, visit IREX.org/projects/tccsp.

As mandated by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs works to build friendly, peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges, as well as public -private partnerships. For more information, visit eca-press.