Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE and formerly, Council, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world."

Throughout our history, we at CIEE have had the unique opportunity to serve this mission. In the largest sense, we can help make the world a better place for all and share a collective sense of fulfillment in our contributions to society. Our services to people studying, working and teaching abroad are more important than ever. As we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles and values that guide this mission statement.

More than 60 years of serving our mission

In 2007, we marked the 60th anniversary of our founding. While much has changed since 1947, much remains the same. As at the beginning, we continue to fulfill the needs of today’s global citizens—students, educators, host families, and institutions in the U.S. and abroad by providing quality educational experiences. We believe that the growth and learning of our participants will impact our world not just today, but also in the future. We are proud of our programs, our support of advocacy in the field, and we remain strong believers in the advancement of knowledge among educators and practitioners through research, International Faculty Development Seminars, the CIEE Annual Conference, and a variety of publications.

We have celebrated our 60th anniversary in a variety of ways; from the commissioning of a mural called “Six Decades” now on display in our new offices in Portland, Maine to the publication of a brochure, "CIEE at 60," highlighting the impact CIEE has had on our participants. We've also published an informative timeline commemorating the important milestones in our history.

In the years ahead, with our mission always at the forefront of our intentions, we remain optimistic that the best is yet to come.