Can we select a certain city or region in the country abroad?
You can request a city or region, but the best practice is to allow the foreign offices to find a family that is looking for a student that matches your profile. The family stay is the heart of any exchange, so finding the right family is our first priority and should be yours.
How do we get passports and visas?
Many students already have a passport, but they should make sure that it will not expire prior to their return date. Students who need new or renewal passports should apply at their local post office and allow six to eight weeks to get them. The post office has the list of documents and fees needed.
Visas are permits to spend more than three months in a country, and are specific to each country. CIEE will direct you to the web site of the closest consulate of the country you are visiting, but we cannot obtain the visa for you. We will provide you with proof of a family, a school and insurance, but you are responsible for getting the visa. You will have to turn your passport in to the consulate, and you will not be able to travel until the passport is returned to you with the visa inside. The rules for what you need to obtain the visa change frequently, and it will be up to you to keep current on what is needed, obtain other documents required and get these to the consulate yourself.
How often should we expect to hear from CIEE?
Before a student departs, there is regular communication for the 5 months preceding his/her departure. Close to the departure date, the communication is very frequent. If a student applies up to a year before departure, he/she will be interviewed, an interim invoice will be generated, and some communications will happen, but there may be some lapses of time before regular communication is again established. You will meet the Outbound Team by phone or email, and you are always free to call or email any of us with any questions. We hope that this web site will answer most of your concerns, and we will continually update it with new information.
Is there any financial aid for programs?
CIEE has a limited number of merit-based partial scholarships for high school programs. The application for this aid is available on the web site and must be turned in by the date stated on the site. Sample fundraising letters and projects are also available upon request.
When will we find out the host family information?
You will be given family information in time to obtain your visa, and you and your family will have a chance to see the host family's application and to communicate with them by phone or email prior to departure. The exact date of this placement is impossible to predict, because so many factors go into making a good placement. If you have been accepted into a program, you will have a host family placement in time to obtain a visa and travel. That is a firm commitment from CIEE and its overseas partners
When and where is the orientation?
Orientations usually take place in Boston one day before departure to Europe and Latin America. Orientations for Japan and Australia are on the west coast, in either Los Angeles or San Francisco. They consist of a full half day program of information about topics that students will need. The rest of the time is spent on sightseeing in the area, restaurants and evening activities. Students will be met at the airport, housed in hotels with a staff member and accompanied to their overseas check-in. They will be met at the other end by our program staff abroad and taken either to a central location for an in-country orientation or to their new community for a local orientation.
How can I change the date of the return flights?
Every program has an end date, and the tickets will be purchased for that date. Our fare class is for students, so the availability of seats is limited on each date.Ticket dates are changeable for a fee, but this must be done well in advance of travel. Students must return on the same airline, with the same itinerary as originally booked. All changes are the responsibility of the student and his/her family.
Can we speak to former participants and their parents?
CIEE maintains a list of alumni students and families that are enthusiastic about talking to potential students and their families. Contact anyone on the Outbound Team for names, phone numbers and email addresses of these alums.
How will my son/daughter get money while abroad?
Most families open a checking account with their child and obtain a Visa debit card and ATM card for the student to use abroad. That will allow them to get money any time of day or night, any day of the week. Students are covered by CIEE health insurance, but if they have a medical need, they will often have to pay and then send their receipts to parents to be reimbursed. Medical costs abroad are a fraction of those in the US, so this should not be a major expense, and it is reimbursable.
What about taking SAT's and AP Exams?
All exams that are given in the US are available in each of our countries abroad. The College Board web site has information on dates and exam locations.
