About

Humanizing International Relations Since 1947

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​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

  • 10K

    Study Abroad Students

  • 1K

    U.S. High Schools

  • 35K

    International Exchange Visitors

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

  • 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.

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Sound like your kind of people? Come work with us!  Learn more
 

The CIEE Difference

Access

All students. All nations. That’s our commitment.

Advocacy

Raising our voice about the importance of exchange

Health & Safety

Keeping our participants safe, every step of the way.

The Latest

  • What We Do

    See our comprehensive lineup of exchange programs and services 

    See what we offer

  • 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

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