FAQs

CIEE stands for the Council on International Educational Exchange. It is a non-profit organization that focuses on promoting international education and cultural exchange programs. CIEE offers a wide range of study abroad and exchange programs for students, educators, and professionals. These programs include semester and summer study abroad programs, internships, language immersion programs, and other educational and cultural experiences in various countries around the world.

CIEE First Year Abroad is designed for students who want to start college with an immersive study abroad experience. A few key characteristics of the program include:

• Timing Advantage: It allows students to study abroad during their first semester or year of college. CIEE First Year Abroad students have a distinct advantage over their peers, as most college students study abroad during their sophomore or junior year.
• Location Options: CIEE offers a range of destinations where students can participate in a CIEE First Year Abroad program. Students can choose to live in one location for the full 12-week program, or live in two cities for 6 weeks each.
• Academics: CIEE First Year Abroad programs usually include a mix of foundational and intro-level courses, language study (if applicable), and electives. Students can earn college credit that may count toward their degree requirements.
• Cultural Immersion: CIEE First Year Abroad programs emphasize cultural immersion and experiential learning. Students will engage with local communities, participate in cultural activities, and gain a deeper understanding of the host culture.
• Support: CIEE provides support services to assist students with their transition to studying abroad. This includes orientation sessions, housing assistance, and on-site staff to offer guidance and support throughout the program.
• Language Learning: Depending on the program location, students may have the chance to improve their language skills through coursework and immersion in a foreign language environment.
• Duration: CIEE First Year Abroad programs are offered for a semester or academic year. Interested in an academic year program? CIEE offers exciting customizable First Year Abroad programs in select locations. Talk to your Enrollment Coordinator if you're interested in any of these combinations, and please note that visa and departure requirements may vary depending on your chosen program combination.
   

• You must be 18 years or older at the time of program departure (with the exception of the Kyoto and Monteverde programs, where you must be 17 years old or older).
• You must be a high school graduate with a 2.7 minimum high school GPA (on a weighted 4.0 scale).
• You must be a recent high school graduate (no more than 18 months post-high school graduation).
• You must be in your first year of college, having completed no more than one semester of college post-high school graduation.
• You have read, understood, and agreed to the terms outlined in the CIEE First Year Abroad Terms and Conditions.
• For more information about the requirements for participation in a CIEE First Year Abroad program, please review the Essential Eligibility Criteria document.

Select a program and apply today! Additional details can be located on the how to apply page.

• A passport that is valid 6 months after your program ends
• A High School Diploma and Transcript
• A Parent or Guardian’s signature

Book a call with your enrollment coordinator! Select a name from the drop-down menu to see the availability of the coordinator in your territory.

The participant and participant’s legal guardian (if the participant is under 18) will view and sign the Program Terms & Conditions electronically via their MyCIEE Account.

Some colleges are amenable to deferring admission for students. A number of highly selective colleges recommend that students consider a year off before heading to campus as a means to mature emotionally and intellectually. Please check with your college of choice for their policies regarding deferment of admission.

 Yes! First Year Abroad is a college study abroad program. All students will enroll in 12-14 U.S semester credits and receive an official academic transcript outlining courses taken, semester credits earned, and final grades.

Please note that it is up to your college or university to decide whether or not they will issue transfer credit for the courses taken on your CIEE First Year Abroad program. 

All students can order an official transcript from Tulane University (for in-person CIEE courses) and Arizona State University (for ASU Online courses) following their CIEE First Year Abroad program.

Every college or university has its own transfer credit policy. It’s important to become familiar with your prospective transfer institution’s transfer credit policy. This policy is generally listed on the institution’s admissions or registrar website.

CIEE First Year Abroad gives you the opportunity to choose from hundreds of accredited foundational and elective courses that best match your interests and meet the requirements for most undergraduate degrees awarded by U.S.-based colleges and universities. All courses are designed to be highly transferable; however, the exact general education or common core requirements for every degree vary by college or university

There are different ways credits can transfer to another institution. These options vary by institution so it’s important to review the options for your specific institution. Below are general options you may see at colleges and universities.

• Direct equivalent – these courses are considered an equivalent of a course that is offered by the transfer receiving institution.
• Elective – these courses are awarded credit but may not have a direct equivalent available at the transfer-receiving institution. Elective credit can be specific to one academic discipline or open.
• General transfer credit – these courses are awarded credit that is generally not connected to an academic discipline or degree requirement but goes towards the total number of credits needed to earn a degree.
• No credit – these courses are not awarded credit by the transfer receiving institution.

The only entity that can guarantee how transfer credit is awarded is the transfer receiving college or university. This is true for CIEE First Year Abroad credit as well as any credit earned through AP, IB, a community college, or other 4-year institution. There are numerous tools to help predict how credit will transfer to another college or university. CIEE First Year Abroad’s College Partners will annually evaluate First Year Abroad core courses for transfer credit eligibility.

Many colleges and universities have a transfer equivalency database. This database allows you to view how the course you completed has historically been transferred to an institution. Transfer equivalency databases can generally be found on an institution’s transfer center, registrar, or admissions website.

Examples:

• Arizona State University: Course Equivalency Search on the Transfer Admissions website
• Temple University: Course Equivalency Search on the Transfer Admissions website
• Central Michigan University: Transfer Equivalencies on the Registrar’s website
• University of Louisville: Course Equivalency Guide on the Transfer Admissions website

• Coalition for College Transfer Credit Resources – counselor and admissions representative advice for understanding the transfer process
• College Essay Guy – advice for completing your transfer application
• The Princeton Review Guide to Transferring Colleges – information about preparing for your transfer experience
• Federal Student Aid – information about how to transfer FAFSA student aid to another institution
• Transferology – free transfer tool for students to predict how their credits will transfer to over 400 colleges and universities.

You can request your official transcript from Tulane University (for in-person CIEE courses) and Arizona State University (for ASU Online courses) at the end of the program.

CIEE does not require COVID vaccinations for participants, but certain countries may have COVID or other types of vaccinations required in order to legally enter the country. Please ensure that you research your destination and get any required vaccinations prior to traveling.

In general – yes! However, some countries have strict regulations regarding the type of medication as well as the legal dosage allowed in the country. Please do research on any unauthorized prescription medications that you plan to bring with you prior to departure. If your medication is allowed, please ensure to bring enough to last the duration of your program. If for any reason you run out, please immediately contact the CIEE center staff in your program destination.

Our first priority is student health and wellness. Because of this, CIEE requests that students submit physical health forms for reviewing purposes to verify that students are both physically and mentally healthy to participate in a program. This form is accessible via your application to view and print.

All students are covered by iNext international travel protection in addition to any coverage provided by their primary insurance provider. The iNext policy covers any unforeseen or unexpected accidents or illnesses while abroad. If students require medical attention, they will often have to pay up-front for any costs and then submit a claim online following the instructions on the iNext website.

CIEE is dedicated to providing all participants and parents with comprehensive support throughout the duration of the program. CIEE’s on-site program staff is the first source of assistance locally. The center staff is trained and experienced in managing conflict, assisting with cultural adjustment issues, and providing support for emergency situations. Our staff is knowledgeable, experienced, and more than happy to answer questions, provide assistance, or discuss student concerns. The CIEE on-site staff is available 24/7 via phone and is also available by email.

You must be 18 years or older at the time of program departure (with the exception of the Kyoto and Monteverde programs, where you must be 17 years old or older).

Specific costs vary by program. Check out the program page for the city you’re interested in to get an idea of the cost.

No, federal financial aid is not available for CIEE First Year Abroad. Some private scholarships and 529 college savings plans may apply to CIEE First Year Abroad. It is the student's responsibility to confirm eligibility with the scholarship or savings plan provider.

See our Funding page.

You can find more information about paying for your CIEE First Year Abroad program on the Funding page of CIEE's website.

Our pre-departure courses will help you get ready for your program and cover the most frequently asked questions about your destination. We will cover key topics that help you get in the right frame of mind and make the best choices when considering packing (e.g., cultural norms for clothing) and making travel arrangements (e.g., visa requirements). The course is designed to help you connect with CIEE and your fellow participants, learn how to transition into everyday life in your host culture, prepare for classes, and learn all the logistical information you need to be ready for departure. We also encourage all our participants to be curious about their future host countries and start researching them online as soon as they’re confirmed!

You must have a valid passport to participate in a CIEE First Year Abroad program. If you already have a passport, make sure that it will be valid for six months after your program ends. If you need a new passport or need to renew your existing one, please visit the U.S. Department of State website. Do not wait until the last minute to apply for a passport! That process can take months and participants will not be refunded for their program if their passport does not arrive in time for their departure to the host country. 

Due to the length of CIEE First Year Abroad programs, you do not need a visa. However, if you've traveled to Europe in the last 6 months or hold a non-U.S. passport, please contact us to discuss whether you may need a visa to participate.

Participants are responsible for purchasing their flights to and from their CIEE First Year Abroad city. Students will have the chance to connect with other participants via their online pre-departure orientation. This is a great opportunity to exchange contact information and discuss the possibility of traveling together.

Depending on your program location, you will live in either a residence hall or with a carefully selected host family. Find out more information on our program pages.

No. All courses are taught in English, with the exception of upper-level foreign language courses. It helps if you’re able to speak some of the local language, but you’ll be surprised how much of the language you’ll learn in a short period of time!

CIEE students are not able to select their homestay or choose to stay with relatives during their program. This is because each homestay must go through a rigorous screening process so that we can ensure proper and quality placements for each student that travels on our programs.

Many participants on program utilize public transportation in their area of placement to navigate to and from their classes each day. CIEE center staff inform and prepare students during their orientation on how to navigate their area of placement and best practices regarding public transportation.

It is highly recommended that students purchase a phone plan while on their program. International phone plans can be costly, so we recommend that students bring an unlocked phone by their provider and purchase a SIM card upon arrival. This allows them to communicate directly with center staff, their homestay, and the friends they make!

Due to visa restrictions, students are not allowed to have a job while on program, as it is not allowed with a tourist visa. Students are recommended to allocate a reasonable amount of spending money for the duration of their program.

Yes, students are allowed to travel while on program, but there are restrictions and every program country has different rules. Under no circumstances are students excused from classes and program activities to travel. Students are also expected to communicate their travel plans to their host family.

We want you to be fully immersed and focused on your program and new friends! 

If your family is interested in traveling with you before or after the program, that’s great! Just make sure you make personal travel plans outside of your CIEE program dates.

CIEE recommends that participants travel with a debit card to access cash, and a credit card to use in case of an emergency. Please note that not all U.S. credit cards are widely accepted abroad. All participants should check with their bank to see what the bank’s policy is in regard to withdrawing funds and using bank-issued debit/credit cards abroad. In many countries, the preferred means of payment is still cash, so having access to cash is very important. We discourage participants from using either traveler’s checks or personal checks while abroad. CIEE will provide more specific, detailed information on accessing money for the country in which you will be studying during the pre-departure orientation.