Sixteen Libyan students recently completed workforce training programs at Central Georgia Technical College. To honor that accomplishment CGTC Campus Life and the Office of Global Initiatives held a modest graduation ceremony in Macon on Wednesday evening.

The students gathered with their families and a few members of CGTC leadership to receive international diplomas.

The graduates work for Waha Oil Company of Libya, and are part of an initial cohort designated to study abroad in 2015. As part of a partnership with Waha, SMART Specialists International and CGTC, the group arrived to gain specific skills applicable for more specialized and technical jobs in the ever-burgeoning oil industry.

“This program opened my mind to my work, “said Hamad Salih, one of the graduates. “Things I did not understand before, instructors helped me to understand. Whatever you asked of them, they have the answers.”

To Glenn Stone, program chair of Electronics Technology, and one who worked closely with the students, providing them answers to academic problems was made easier because of the rapport the Libyans were so keen on building.

“The level of honor they ascribe to teachers was amazing, refreshing really.” Stone said. “I didn’t always feel deserving, but I felt honored by their level of respect.”

Stone was one of several instructors who reflected on the Libyans’ willingness to learn American culture and impart their own in and out of the classroom. It was commonplace for an instructor to be invited to barbecues held by the students in an effort to show their appreciation.

For insight on American culture, Libyan students had an academic and cultural liaison in Rebecca Hollon, program specialist for International Campus Life, and Rick Hutto, director of Global Initiatives. Both divisions of the College provided resources in areas the students may have needed, such as, coordinating travel plans and organizing sight-seeing trips. Earlier this year, Campus Life organized a game of soccer against Mercer University’s International Bears Association for socializing and recreation, and when the Libyan student’s families arrived in Macon, those divisions aided in enrolling their children in Bibb County schools.

Hollon described this accomplishment as both an academic and cultural moment in the student’s lives and an active step in career advancement back home.

“With this training, they will be able to go back to Waha and receive promotions and pay increases,” Hollon said. “In addition, they have been able to be immersed in the American culture during their studies.

Other Libyan students, who joined the program late, continue to study on the Macon campus and will finish their training in the coming year.

The graduates and their families will return home later this month.