Chautauqua County is building a reputation for itself as the "world's learning center." Those three words rang true on the Jamestown Community College Jamestown Campus this summer as students from four continents gathered to broaden their global perspectives and strengthen their skills.
This summer, JCC welcomed over 200 international visitors to campus for diverse learning experiences. A new partnership with Internationella Engelska Skolan, Sweden's largest group of private schools, brought us visitors from ages 10 to 18 who engaged in two-week learning camp experiences throughout the summer. Another new partnership with Showa University allowed us to welcome a group of medical students from Japan who came to strengthen their English skills along with other students from Colombia, Mexico, Montenegro, Puerto Rico, and Spain.
While welcoming international students to campus allows us to enhance global perspectives for our students, one of the five themes of JCC's strategic plan, these guests also impact our communities as they shop locally, enjoy meals off-campus, and interact with area residents. While all visitors likely left our community with t-shirts, hats, or other local souvenirs, they also carried with them vivid photographs and video clips and rich memories of the caring and hospitality they found in our community. The stories our visitors share with those at home are of great value as we encourage others to experience the "world's learning center."
The programs offered this summer would not have been possible without the addition of residence halls to our Jamestown Campus. We appreciate the support of our elected officials and others who enhanced our campus and our communities with these fine facilities.
JCC's Center for Continuing Education and office of international outreach, coordinators of our summer programs for international guests, enjoyed the support of countless individuals and organizations throughout our community. We are particularly grateful to those individuals who were involved in direct ways by providing homestay opportunities, but also wish to acknowledge those of you who supported us indirectly by offering a friendly smile to our guests or engaging them in conversations about their cultures and yours. Among the organizations who helped us welcome summer visitors were Amish Flair Tours, Carrier Coach, the Chautauqua Belle, Chautauqua Institution, the Heritage Group, Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, the Jamestown Jammers, the Jamestown Police Department, Lutheran Social Services, the office of Congressman Brian Higgins, the Robert H. Jackson Center, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, the Scandinavian Studies Program, the Seneca Nation, Southside Pharmacy, WCA Hospital, and the YMCA's Camp Onyahsa.
Thank you for helping us bring the world a little closer to JCC this summer!