COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Council for Internationals (CCFI) is excited to announce that a group of eight students, aged 19-23, and two chaperones from London, U.K., will be arriving in Columbia on Monday June 3 for a two-week long work internship. These students are members of 20/20 Levels, a London-based charitable organization that empowers underrepresented young people through global opportunities. In collaboration with 20/20 Levels and local community partner the Columbia World Affairs Council, CCFI coordinated the internships and will oversee the day-to-day programming to ensure the exchange is successful.
The incoming students will spend most of their time interning at local businesses in Columbia, such as USC, the Urban League, Columbia Economic Development, SC Council on Competitiveness, Owens Field, and the SC Community Relations Council. On the weekends, they will explore the cultural opportunities Columbia offers by visiting Soda City, touring the State House, going to the Riverbanks Zoo, seeing the Anne Frank Center, meeting with CCFI members and attending a pool party at a CCFI board member’s house, exploring Fort Jackson, and walking along the Columbia Canal and other river trails.
The Columbia Council for Internationals is excited to introduce the students to Columbia as a hub for business, politics, and culture and hopes the internships provide the skills and experience needed to succeed academically and professionally. Further, CCFI wants these students to see Columbia’s diversity and inclusivity as 20/20 Levels targets marginalized communities and people. “CCFI is thrilled to host these future UK leaders. As with all our international delegations, we strive to show-off the best Columbia has to offer, from its talented people to its cultural landscape, and here we have a chance to engage our visitors directly with the numerous, wonderful resources of our community.” Stated Sewell Gelberd, Program Director at CCFI.
20/20 Levels defines itself as a social mobility organization for racially underrepresented youth and is primarily based in London. They rely on transformative programs, such as this internship exchange, to ensure students are both career and business ready. Many of the participants are racial minorities who face systemic challenges and are often overlooked in their respective fields. Thus, 20/20 Levels strives to create an environment of opportunity, ambition, and assistance for members regardless of their racial or socioeconomic status. Over 60% of 20/20 Levels’ candidates have secured new employment within three months of engagement with the organization.
The Columbia Council for Internationals (CCFI) was founded in 1965 to welcome officials and foreign visitors to the city and the U.S State Department recognizes CCFI as the official agency in connecting local agencies with topics of global interest. The Columbia Council for Internationals, directed by Sewell Gelberd, is partnering with 20/20 Levels to plan this work internship.
Contact: Sewell Gelberd 803-622-0944 columbia.ccfi@gmail.com
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