Program Rules and PoliciesTraveling
CIEE understands that you are very excited by the opportunity to live with an American family and study in an American high school. You will have the chance to experience American culture, make long lasting friendships and travel to different places.
Many of you will have the opportunity to travel with your host family, your Local Coordinator or official school or CIEE organized trips. If you are traveling outside of the U.S., missing school, or flying; you must obtain written permission from CIEE.
If you wish to travel without an adult member of your host family, or the trip is not organized by your Local Coordinator or your host high school, it is considered an independent travel. Examples of independent travel may include:
- Belo USA Travel – Student Information & Agreement
- Church youth group volunteer trips
- Traveling to visit a relative of the natural family or the host family
- Traveling with visiting members of the natural family
- Traveling with a friend’s or neighbor’s family
Any independent travel request must be reviewed and approved by CIEE. There are certain requirements which need to be fulfilled:
- Students must complete the travel form and submit it to CIEE at least 28 days before the scheduled travel.
- Host Family and Local Coordinator must agree to the proposed travel request.
- Students must be in good standing (prior warning or probation letters may result in denial of travel request).
- Students must be staying with an adult.
- Missing school is discouraged.
- CIEE must receive a natural family release for independent travel
Please be aware that independent travel is not guaranteed. CIEE may deny any request for independent travel if deemed necessary.
In addition to the travel policy, CIEE also has strict guidelines about natural family and friends visits. Travel with or visits from natural family members are not permitted before January of the ten-month program and not at all during the five-month program. Friends from the student’s home country are not approved to visit at any time during the program.
