CIEE Community Impact Week Highlights: Spring 2026
Authored By:
Studying abroad becomes more meaningful when students engage with the communities around them. During the first CIEE Community Impact Week, more than 1,000 students, staff, and community partners came together across 45+ international cities to serve meals, clean beaches, garden, and connect with children and older adults – building bridges of understanding through shared experience.
Across CIEE’s global network, Community Impact Week brings students together to celebrate the ways they show up as active participants in service projects that directly support food security, strengthen community development and public health efforts, and advance youth development and education initiatives in their host cities. This spring, students from CIEE’s leading partner institutions – including University of Colorado Boulder, Indiana University, University of Wisconsin, Arizona State University, Georgetown University, University of Iowa, and more – are among those contributing to meaningful work on the ground.
During the spring 2026 semester, more than 350 American college students participated in CIEE’s Community Impact Week, attending 67 events to serve neighbors and celebrate our international partners. These collective efforts impacted 160 local organizations, including 53 focused on food security, 55 dedicated to community development and public health, and 55 centered on youth development and education. Through these experiences, students fostered relationships with locals, gained new cross-cultural perspectives, and contributed to efforts that create lasting impact.
Community Impact Week brings these moments together – highlighting the work, the connections, and the growth – in a global celebration of what it means to study abroad with purpose.
Read More: Community Impact Reflections: Spring 2026
Spring 2026 Community Impact Week Highlights
Discover some of the ways CIEE students spent Community Impact Week learning, serving, and connecting with their host communities!
Highlight #1: Buenos Aires, Argentina
In Buenos Aires, students partnered with Fundación Sí, an organization dedicated to reducing inequality and supporting individuals experiencing homelessness through outreach, housing, and food access programs. Through initiatives like community meal preparation and distribution, Fundación Sí works to meet immediate needs while advancing long-term solutions that foster dignity, inclusion, and stability across the city.
Working alongside local volunteers, American college students studying abroad in Buenos Aires helped prepare meals for community members, contributing to ongoing food security efforts across the city. The experience provided a hands-on opportunity to engage beyond the classroom, deepening their understanding of local challenges while highlighting the impact of community-driven solutions.
“I wasn’t living in Buenos Aires until I was giving to Buenos Aires. There is a special bond that forms between you and a place where you play a part in improving it. By volunteering at La Huerta, I was able to build a stronger connection with the city.” – Malachi T., Hope College
Highlight #2: Cape Town, South Africa
In Cape Town, students partnered with Meals on Wheels South Africa, an organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity by providing nutritious meals and support services to older adults and vulnerable community members. Through its nationwide network, Meals on Wheels South Africa works to ensure consistent access to food while also fostering dignity, care, and connection for those it serves.
Working together, CIEE students in Cape Town prepared and packaged more than 150 meals for local seniors, directly supporting food access efforts in surrounding communities. Alongside staff and volunteers, they gained a deeper understanding of how community-based support systems operate while building meaningful connections through shared service. With more than 40 American college students participating – and some engaging in every volunteer opportunity – Community Impact Week sparked a strong sense of purpose and a shared commitment to continue giving back.
“The [community] impact work has really been so hands on. It’s opened my eyes to not just what we talked about in class but the perspective I have on the area… It’s been nice seeing how these different communities work with each other, and when we work with them, we’re able to learn from them.” – Jayden T., University of Alabama
Highlight #3: Lisbon, Portugal
In Lisbon, American college students partnered with ReFood, an organization dedicated to reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity by redistributing surplus meals from restaurants, grocery stores, and local producers to individuals and families in need. Through a community-based network of volunteers, ReFood works to ensure that excess food is redirected to those who need it most, while promoting sustainability and social responsibility across the city.
During their experience, students studying with CIEE Lisbon supported ReFood’s mission by contributing to food collection, sorting, and distribution efforts alongside local volunteers. Through this hands-on work, they gained insight into the intersection of sustainability and food access while building meaningful connections within the community.
“The most impactful takeaway from spending time with ReFood so far has been realizing that it is totally possible to be an active and contributing member of the community you are studying abroad in as a student.” – Tashi L., University of Colorado Boulder
Highlight #4: Mérida, Mexico
In Mérida, American college students partnered with Equre, an equine therapy association dedicated to providing accessible, low-cost therapeutic programs for children and young people across Yucatán. Through guided interaction with horses, Equre supports physical, emotional, and cognitive development while creating meaningful opportunities for connection, healing, and overall well-being.
During their service experience, students at CIEE Mérida supported Equre’s day-to-day operations by assisting with administrative tasks, facility upkeep, and horse care. Working alongside staff, they contributed to a program centered on compassion and community care, gaining insight into the role alternative therapies play in supporting youth development while building a deeper connection to their host community.
“Every time you go volunteer [it] definitely makes you feel more connected to the place. Giving your time and effort really provides a sense of fulfillment.” – Gibran G., Arizona State University
Highlight #5: Seoul, South Korea
In Seoul, students partnered with Seongbuk Braille Library, an organization dedicated to improving access to information for individuals who are visually impaired. Through the production and distribution of braille materials and other accessible resources, the library works to promote inclusion, independence, and equal opportunities for learning within the community.
“[Recording audio books for blind children in Seoul] was one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences. This was a way I could directly give back and help the community. The most important part of this volunteering was the effect the audiobooks have on the community of blind children.” – Maylin R., Eastern Florida State College
As part of their service experience during CIEE’s Community Impact Week celebration, students studying at CIEE Seoul supported accessibility-focused efforts by assisting with hands-on tasks connected to resource preparation and community programming. Working alongside staff, they gained a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusive design and the role community organizations play in expanding access, while building meaningful connections through shared purpose.
Highlight #6: Seville, Spain
In Seville, American college students partnered with Dársena Deportiva, an organization focused on making river-based sports accessible while promoting environmental awareness and stewardship along the Guadalquivir River. Through its programming, Dársena Deportiva encourages community engagement with local waterways, fostering both recreation and responsibility for preserving the natural environment.
During a river clean-up initiative, 100+ CIEE Seville students, staff, local partners, and community members participated in a kayaking and plogging effort along the Guadalquivir, collecting litter from the water and surrounding riverbanks. The experience combined physical activity with environmental service, offering a hands-on way to contribute to the health of the local ecosystem while strengthening their connection to the city.
“We were able to go out onto the river in kayaks and collect trash, and then painting over some graffiti so they can make a beautiful mural. It has been amazing to come to Seville and do something similar [to volunteer work at home].” – Lali B., College of Charleston
Highlight #7: Sydney, Australia
In Sydney, students partnered with Will2Live, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness by providing meals, essential supplies, and a strong sense of community care. Through grassroots initiatives like their well-known “Sausage Sizzle,” Will2Live works to create welcoming spaces where people can access food, connection, and support in a respectful and inclusive environment.
During their Community Impact Week service experience, American college students studying at CIEE Sydney helped host a community breakfast, preparing and serving meals while engaging with local residents and commuters. Beyond contributing to food access efforts, the experience fostered meaningful interactions and offered insight into the importance of dignity, consistency, and connection in addressing homelessness at the community level.
“I truly enjoyed the experience so much. I think it's important for us to leave Australia better than we found it, especially as tourists, so it was a really great experience and a way to give back!” – Hallie T., Arizona State University
Expanding Impact, Building Global Connections
CIEE’s Community Impact Week reflects the heart of what it means to study abroad with purpose, empowering American college students to serve the world with curiosity, humility, and intention. Through meaningful partnerships and hands-on experiences, students not only support local communities, but also grow personally, building cross-cultural understanding and lasting connections. In doing so, they help show a fuller picture of who Americans are: Individuals committed to showing up for others, strengthening communities, and building bridges of respect and understanding across cultures.
Through CIEE’s Community Impact Initiative, service is woven into every step of the study abroad experience, creating unparalleled opportunities for students to contribute, learn, and make a meaningful difference. While Community Impact Week may last only a few days, its impact extends far beyond, shaping how students engage with the world long after their programs end.