Activities and Sports

When exchange students arrive in their community and high school they need to start building relationships from scratch. CIEE believes that the best way to do this is to become involved in the community, school, and volunteer projects.

Students must complete a Community Service Project during their time in the U.S., and CIEE also encourages students to seek out other avenues of participation within the community and asks host families to offer encouragement as well.

The Community Service Project

CIEE believes that volunteer service is an excellent way for students to become involved with the community and share their exchange experience with others. All exchange students are required to complete at least eight hours of community service per semester.

Student Community Service projects should focus on supporting and improving their host community and building relationships with its residents.

Visit the Student Resources Section of this website to see our volunteer idea suggestions for students.

Once they have decided on a project, your student may ask you or Local Coordinator to come with them on their first visit to discuss what they will be doing. Students should go prepared with their information packet and the enclosed letter to the organization. They should set up a schedule for the days they will be volunteering and discuss any practicalities with you such as transportation.

After the student completes the Community Service Project, they should ask their supervisor to fill out a short evaluation form about their performance. They will also need to write an essay about their experience with the project. The student will receive a certificate of completion of the USA High School Program.

Students should send forms to the address below before departing the program:

Community Project Coordinator
CIEE
300 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101 USA

Or as an email attachment to communityproject@ciee.org.

Getting Students Involved

When exchange students arrive in their community and at their high school they need to start building relationships from scratch. CIEE believes that the best way to do this is to become involved in the community and participate in various activities, events, and sports. This is a great way to make friends, become a part of the school, and experience American school life. We encourage students to sign up for at least one sport or after-school activity and participate in high school events (i.e. clubs, homecoming, prom).

Social and sports activities in a U.S. high school may be organized differently from what they are used to. They can always ask their guidance counselor or teachers at school for additional information about what sports or activities are available.

CIEE does not guarantee participation in extracurricular activities or athletics. Students should follow their host high school guidelines for participation in sports clubs.