The application deadline for participants applying for C1 Leadership Academy programs for summer 2013 is April 30, 2013.

All completed applications are reviewed within about one week and acceptances are issued within two weeks.

Costs covered by CIEE:

• International airfare between the U.S. gateway airport and the host country
• Two-day in-country orientation on arrival
• All transportation in-country during the program, including excursions and post-program tour
• Service learning assignment
• Leadership seminar
• Host family placement or dormitory accommodations (Prague, Amman, Nanjing)
• Most meals (please see specifics by country)
• All accommodations and fees during post-program tour
• Supervision and support by a program leader from departure from the U.S. through return to the U.S. gateway airport
• Additional supervision from CIEE Study Center resident staff throughout the in-country program
• International medical insurance and 24-hour, worldwide travel assistance
• 24/7 support services

Costs covered by participant:

• Domestic travel, if needed, to the U.S. gateway airport
• Passport and visa fees, if required (passports are required for all programs)
• Some meals (please see specifics by country)
• Personal items and phone charges
• Spending allowance
• Charges for extra or overweight baggage

The best practice is to reference the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, www.cdc.gov. You can search for the country you will be traveling to by entering the country name in the top right-hand corner of the webpage. Please note that there are both suggested vaccinations and mandatory vaccinations listed. You must have all mandatory vaccinations done before traveling on any C1 Leadership Academy program.

CIEE has been sending students overseas since 1947. Our international study centers have long-standing relationships with community leaders and local populations all over the world. Our centers are staffed by knowledgeable, educated professionals who have a passion for international education and are committed to helping students experience all the wonders of their local culture and customs.

All program leaders are CIEE alumni who are carefully selected through a very selective review process. All leaders go through intensive training; they are proficient in the native language and familiar with the host city and country and are very excited to work with high school students.

We strongly suggest all students independently research cultural differences prior to the designated travel date. Additionally, CIEE provides useful cultural information during the online pre-departure orientation. There is also country-specific information that is provided in the acceptance package.

We strongly discourage students from bringing any sort of electronic device except for a U.S. cell phone to use in case of domestic flight delays or cancellations. While on-site, participants will have access to the computer lab at the study center, where they can use Skype to call home. Among other reasons, we hold this view because frequent communication with friends and family back in the U.S. too often minimizes the cultural experience.

If you already have a passport, make sure that it will not expire prior to your return date. Usually your passport must be valid for six months after your program ends. If you need a new passport or need to renew your existing one, please visit the U.S. State Department website.

Visas are required for C1 Leadership Academy participants who are traveling to China, Ghana and Senegal. All accepted students will receive their visa documents within 30 days of acceptance. These documents, as well some that participants must provide, must be sent to Travisa no later than 21 days prior to departure. Travisa is a passport and visa service agency that works with embassies and consulates to process visas quickly and efficiently.

Watch for regular communication via email once the application deadline for your program has passed. Closer to the departure date, the communication is very frequent. When filling out an application, it is vital that you enter email addresses for yourself and your parents or guardians. CIEE communicates very important information by way of email, including visa information, host family details, and orientation dates. If you apply very early, please understand that early communications may be limited, but contact will be increasing in frequency as the departure date nears. Don’t worry! You can contact CIEE by phone or email any time. We hope that this website will answer most of your concerns, and we will continually update it with new information.

CIEE has allocated more than $150,000 for need and merit-based, partial scholarships for exemplary high school students interested in spending their summer making a difference and developing their leadership skills in another country. The application for this scholarship must be submitted no later than March 1, 2013.

Participants will have a chance to see their host family’s informational sheet prior to their departure. However, the host family information may not be provided until a few weeks before departure.

CIEE staff hold an online pre-departure orientation (OPDO) approximately two weeks before participants travel. This orientation is conducted via GoToMeeting and covers many important topics, such as safety, host family expectations, program expectations and rules, culture shock, and the program itinerary.

There is also time at the end for Q&A. Additionally, all participants will depart together from the gateway city. While at the airport, the program leader will conduct an in-person orientation with the group to help better prepare them for the experience and answer any last-minute questions. Finally, when the participants arrive in the host country there is a two-day orientation conducted by local staff.

The in-country orientation often includes a tour of the local area and addresses health and safety concerns, transportation, and cultural differences and etiquette and offers an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming service project.

All participants should check with their banks to see what their policy is in regard to withdrawing funds and using bank-issued debit/credit cards abroad. In many countries the preferred means of payment is still cash, so having access to it is very important. We discourage participants from using either traveler’s checks or personal checks while abroad.

Students are covered by iNext international travel insurance in addition to any coverage provided by their primary insurance provider. The iNext policy covers any unforeseen or unexpected accidents or illnesses while abroad. If students require medical attention, they will often have to pay up-front for any costs and then contact the iNext Department at CIEE for instructions on how to submit a claim.

The C1 Leadership Academy is a four week–long summer program conducted at international CIEE Study Centers in eight different countries. While participating, you will join other high school students to discover a new culture and country, participate in relevant service activities, and develop your leadership skills: problem solving, decision making, and more.

Through weekly seminars and regular group work, you’ll reflect on what makes someone an effective leader, as well as your own personal values, perspectives, and strengths that inform your leadership ability. CIEE’s custom-designed and engaging curriculum allows you to explore the concepts and skills that will help you learn how to build a “cultural bridge” and be an effective leader in any intercultural situation.

CIEE is dedicated to providing all participants and parents with comprehensive support throughout the duration of the program. CIEE’s Support Team maintains close communication with the CIEE Study Center and regularly receives updates on student adjustment throughout the course of the program. While the program leader is the first source of assistance locally, the Support Team is always available as a resource for participants and parents. The Support Team is trained and experienced in managing conflict, assisting with cultural adjustment issues, and providing support for emergency situations. Our staff is knowledgeable and experienced, and will be more than happy to answer questions, provide assistance, or discuss student concerns. The CIEE Support Team is available 24/7 via phone and is also available by email or Skype.