About
Humanizing International Relations Since 1947
For 75 years, we’ve had a single mission:
To help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world by bringing the world together through the most meaningful exchange programs available.
Each year, we serve more than
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10K
Study Abroad Students
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1K
U.S. High Schools
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35K
International Exchange Visitors
Our Story
1947 - The Beginning
The Executive Committee on Student Travel forms to foster student and teacher travel. Logistics management and orientation for student exchange programs to Europe begins.
1967 - Becoming CIEE
Name change from Council on Student Travel to Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE); begin to focus on academic programming. The first CIEE Study Center opens in Leningrad.
1969 - Introducing Summer Work Travel
CIEE is designated by the State Department as the first sponsor of the J-1 Summer Work Travel program; the CIEE Work & Travel USA program is created.
1984 - Expanding J-1 Visa Opportunities
At CIEE’s suggestion, the State Department creates a new J-1 visa category, J-1 Trainee, for university students to travel to the U.S. for internships.
2003 - Hello from Portland, Maine
U.S. headquarters moves from New York, New York, to Portland, Maine.
2015 - Reinventing Study Abroad
CIEE reinvents the study abroad model with the launch of its first Open Campus Block Program in Berlin. Open Campus Block locations follow in London, Paris, and Rome.
2017 - Seven Decades of Bringing the World Together
CIEE celebrates 70 years of transforming lives through meaningful exchange.
View CIEE’s Full History
Our Community
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Our People
The faces of CIEE.
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Our Partners
The people & organizations that help us do what we do.
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Our Alumni
Our alumni change the world – see how.
Explore
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The CIEE Difference
AccessAll students. All nations. That’s our commitment. |
AdvocacyRaising our voice about the importance of exchange. |
Health & SafetyKeeping our participants safe, every step of the way. |
The Latest
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What We Do
See our comprehensive lineup of exchange programs and services
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News
Up-to-date news, insights & announcements from the CIEE Community
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Facebook
Stories & information about our participants and alumni engaging with the world