Thank you for your interest!

Prior to completing your Local Coordinator Application, we ask that you review this basic information regarding CIEE and the USA High School Program.

• Who is CIEE?
  
• What is our mission?
  
• What is the USA High School Program?
  
• What makes a CIEE student?
  
• What do host families need to do?
  
• How are Local Coordinators selected, and what do they do?
  
• Who provides the support in the national office?
  
• What are CIEE's program rules for students?
  
  
  

CIEE is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1947. CIEE has developed a wide variety of programs and services primarily for students and teachers at secondary through university levels. Today, with over 700 professionals working in 30 countries, CIEE has become one of the world's leading operators of international exchange programs and related services.

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CIEE's mission is to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. We are accomplishing our mission through diverse programs ranging from the secondary level to teacher and faculty development seminars.

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CIEE's USA High School program is a 10-month academic year, homestay program that enables qualified international high school students to attend high school in the U.S. while living with a host family. Host families across the U.S. invite students into their homes, as a member of their family to fully participate in all aspects of family, and community life.

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CIEE has specific qualifications which students must meet before they are accepted into our program. These standards are as follows:

• Are between the ages of 15 and 18 at the start of the program.
• Actively enrolled in high school in their home country.
• Cannot have failed a year of school or English in the past three years.
• Have studied at least 3 years of English and possess basic practical skills in written and spoken English.
• Demonstrate the proper motivation and maturity to participate in the USA High School Program.

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1. Provide the student with a single bed, either sharing the room with a child of the same sex and approximate age, or having a single bedroom. A quiet place for study must also be available.
2. Provide the student with meals with the exception of lunches on school days.
3. Must be able to financially afford to host the student for the full ten-month academic year.
4. Provide transportation to the preferred place of worship. Host families are welcome to share their particular religious faith but the students religious belief must always be respected. Students cannot be required to attend religious services.
5. Provide transportation to and from school when school and municipal transportation is unavailable.
6. Be couples with children, couples without children, or single parents with children. We allow single people to host only if the student first approves the placement.

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Each Local Coordinator has been interviewed, including complete references checks, and trained by the staff in CIEE's national office. The Coordinators are responsible for recruiting and screening Host Families. They conduct host family interviews, reference checks, and aid in the selection of a student for the family. Coordinators act as a liaison to local high schools and assist in the enrollment of the students. Throughout the year, the Coordinators are responsible for the supervision of each of their students, including monthly contact with the students and bi-monthly home visits with the students and family, as well as continued contact with the local high school. Local Coordinators are in constant contact with the national office staff throughout the year and are invited to participate in training meetings. They are evaluated by the program participants as well as reviewed yearly by the CIEE staff.

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A full-time office staff, trained and experienced in the field of international education exchange, manages all aspects of the program. The Regional Directors are available to assist all participants with any with any problems or question that arise throughout the year. They are responsible for the recruitment, training and management of the Local Coordinators. They are in constant touch with all field staff during all phases of the program. In addition, CIEE staff develops and maintains relationships with overseas sending offices.

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1. Obey the regulations of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa.
2. Abide by the federal, state and local laws of the United States and host town.
3. Live as a member of the host family respecting the rules and customs of the host family and accepting the responsibilities given.
4. Accept placement with a family of any race, creed, or color.
5. Respect the host high school's policies with regards to grade levels, participation in graduation ceremonies, and issuance of a high school diploma.
6. Maintain a C average or higher in all courses at the host high school. Courses must include English and an American History course and two other academic courses.
7. Travel only with adult members of the host family, the local coordinator, official schools or group-organized trips after gaining permission from the national office.
8. Driving or purchasing a motorized vehicle (car, motorcycle or any other vehicle requiring a driver's license) is prohibited. Driving is permitted with the instructor of an official driver's education course and only during class hours.
9. Have access to a minimum of $150-200 US Dollars per month to cover personal expenses.
10. Students who indicate that they do not smoke on their application may not smoke during the program year. Students who indicate that they smoke must follow the guidelines of their family and community with regards to smoking.
11. The program terminates within two weeks after the last day of school. Arrangements must be made to return home within this time.

For more information please click here.
If you want to globalize your world today - Apply now!

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