International Flair

The International Contract Programs (ICP) unit at Modesto Junior College brings international students to the campus to either study or receive training in a specific field of study.

Currently, we have a continuing subagreement with the Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED) at Georgetown University.  This June 2010, a group of twenty-one students from the Cooperative Association of States for Scholarships (CASS) program completed their studies/training. In August 2010, new students will be arriving under the Scholarships for Educational and Economic Development (SEED).  Students are provided with intensive English-as--Second Language (ESL) classes and classes in the field of study. In the last semester of studies/training, the students perform work experience at local ag related businesses.

SEED scholarships provide training to youth and community leaders from economically disadvantaged and historically underserved populations, including women and ethnic/indigenous groups, to become key protagonists in their countries’ development. Moreover, the program significantly enhances public diplomacy efforts of the U.S. government by ensuring that participants learn firsthand about the fundamentals of civil society and free market economy. Countries currently participating in the program are the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

The International Contract Programs (ICP) Unit has had a working relationship with the CASS/CIED, and now SEED Programs since 1987. This two-year program offers technical education, job training, and leadership skills development to young adults and leaders from communities of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Some of the fields of studies that have been pursued include: electronics, fashion merchandising, computer graphics, food production/food processing, forestry, agricultural science, and agricultural business with emphasis on export.

The ICP has also subcontracted in the past with CIED to provide training for participants of the CASS 1-Year Teacher Training program and for the participants of the East Central European Scholarship Program (ECESP).

In addition, ICP has partnered with the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) to provide short term training to students from Japan that are part of a Japanese agriculture training program. Depending upon the program, these students attended MJC for six to twelve weeks. The training included classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), developing a marketing plan, as well as classes in landscaping and/or citrus & fruit trees.

The opportunity for these international students to attend MJC is a benefit for them as well as for the local MJC students. The opportunity to find out first hand what agriculture production in other countries is all about as well as to learn about other cultures is invaluable.

Contact Information:

Elizabeth Orozco-Wittke, Manager
International Contract Programs
Modesto Junior College
435 College Avenue
Modesto, CA 95350

Tel. (209) 575-6635; (209) 575-6795
Fax: (209) 575-6414
elizabeth@mjc.edu