CIEE Community Impact Initiative
At CIEE, we believe in contributing to long-term, sustainable projects in the local communities where we host our students. Community engagement opportunities enhance the academic and cultural experience for our students, while allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the local culture.
Through the CIEE Community Impact Initiative, college students enhance their study abroad experience and grow as individuals by serving others in three ways:
- Community Impact Orientation, where students are introduced to local community partners in the first week of their study abroad program and are encouraged to engage with their new neighbors through weekly service activities
- Community Impact Week, where students share, celebrate, and reflect upon their service projects alongside the local community organizations where they served
- Community Impact Global Poster Competition, where students reflect upon lessons learned and outcomes achieved during their service projects, while competing to present their poster at the CIEE Annual Study Abroad Conference and win a donation for their community partner
CIEE Community Impact Initiatives
Food Security
- Collect surplus food and redistribute to families in need through ReFood in Lisbon
- Prepare nutritious food, promote sustainability, and combat food waste through Our Big Kitchen in Syndey
- Distribute meals while supporting educational initiatives for youth with Ladles of Love in Cape Town
Community Development + Public Health
- Restore historic neighborhoods and public parks in partnership with Retake Rome
- Care for seniors and families in vulnerable situations at Fundació Roure in Barcelona
- Support community clean-up initiatives and sustainability practices with Tokyo River Friends in Tokyo
Youth Development + Education
- Promote literacy, educational access, and social inclusion through the Seongbok Braille Library in Seoul
- Provide mentorship and study support to children and teenagers through Mais Skillz in Lisbon
- Support vulnerable groups by providing recreational activities through Darsena Deportiva in Seville
Community Impact Week
Every spring and fall semester, each of CIEE’s 45+ centers around the world hosts a week-long celebration highlighting the impact students make in their host city.
During Community Impact week, students will:
- Share what they’ve learned about community needs and how they’ve helped in real, hands-on ways
- Celebrate the connections they’ve made with local organizations and the community
- Share their stories online so the whole CIEE network can see the impact
CIEE Community Impact Global Poster Competition
Each year, CIEE hosts the Community Impact Global Poster Competition – a chance for students to highlight the service projects they have worked on abroad and represent their region at the next annual CIEE Study Abroad Conference.
One finalist from each region will:
- Travel to the conference’s host city (round-trip airfare and lodging covered)
- Present their project on an international stage
- Compete for awards
- Earn a CIEE donation for their community organization – helping their impact continue long after they’ve returned home
Volunteering Posts
CIEE Community Impact Week Highlights: Spring 2026
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... keep reading
Community Impact Reflections: Spring 2026
Studying abroad is often described as a journey of discovery: New places, new perspectives, and new connections. For students in CIEE Study Abroad’s spring 2026 programs, that journey also included... keep reading
Happy Earth Day: Today and Every Day
Happy Earth Day! Every April 22, this global event comes around to remind us how precious our planet is, what sustainable efforts we can make to protect Earth, and that... keep reading