Cultural Understanding

As much as we try to prepare students for the reality of culture shock, there is no way to know exactly how well your Grants student will adjust to life in the U.S. CIEE Grants Local Coordinators are specially trained to help you and your exchange student with problems that are unique to Grants students during their exchange programs. Additionally, the Support Team at CIEE are available for any questions that you might have should you not be able to get in touch with your Local Coordinator or Regional Director.

You should have received a host family orientation which included information specific to CIEE Grant Programs, such as the goals of the Grant programs, the host family incidental allowance, required program activities such as the mid-year seminar, International Education Week and Global Youth Service Day information, and insurance and travel information.

Additionally, the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF), a non-profit organization dedicated to building understanding among different cultures and faith traditions, works with CIEE to offer services to Grants students who practice Islam. CECF currently provides a variety of services for CIEE staff and volunteers. CECF offers counseling, workshops, and conferences to develop understanding among youth studying in the U.S. CIEE holds a contest open to all Grants students to attend the Better Understanding for a Better World leadership and interfaith conferences, led by Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation.

If you have questions about your student’s religion or religious practices, you are welcome to contact the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation by phone at 410-944-6077 or email cecf1@aol.com or visit the CECF website.

“Many teachers asked
me to present about
my country throughout the whole year of high school. I presented about Yemen 13 different times and a lot of people liked it and students were very interested to hear about Islam, my culture, and our way of life. The students came to really respect my culture.”

- Hanan, YES participant