What Is a Local Coordinator?
International exchange students travel thousands of miles to get to America. And local coordinators make sure they don't feel alone once they’re here.
With the CIEE BridgeUSA High School program, a local coordinator is a trusted community member who supports international students and host families in the region. They help recruit, screen, check in regularly, offer guidance, and make sure both participants and host families have a safe, positive experience.
Is Being a Local Coordinator a Good Fit for Me?
Ask yourself if you would enjoy being a local coordinator in your community:
- I firmly believe in the value of cultural exchange.
- I have a passion for making meaningful differences in people’s lives.
- I like to create opportunities for young people.
- I want to invest in my community.
- I enjoy building new and fulfilling relationships.
- I love to travel and explore new places.
- I bring patience, creativity, sharp problem‑solving skills, and exceptional communication to everything I do.
- I’m looking for a role with flexible hours.
If this sounds like you, check out more specifics about local coordinator responsibilities.
How Local Coordinators Fit into the BridgeUSA High School Program
Local coordinators are in a unique position within the BridgeUSA High School program. It would not work without the recruitment impact you have in your community!
Here’s how local coordinators fit into the overall exchange program ecosystem:
- Who local coordinators work with:
- Students: Local coordinators help students adjust to America, navigate challenges, and feel supported throughout their stay. They’re often the first person a student calls when they need guidance.
- Host families: Local coordinators build relationships with families, help them prepare to host, and stay in touch regularly to ensure the placement is healthy and safe.
- Schools: Local coordinators collaborate with school administrators and counselors to secure enrollment, support academic success, and address school-related concerns.
- How local coordinators interact with CIEE: Local coordinators maintain regular communication with CIEE program leadership, provide timely updates on student and host family progress, and ensure that all placements comply with CIEE program standards as well as federal and other regulations.
- How local coordinators contribute to program success: Host family recruitment is the most significant responsibility of a local coordinator, and securing committed, qualified host families directly drives the overall success and growth of the program.
Local coordinators are never alone with CIEE. Many return year after year because of the high levels of support they receive from the CIEE team.
FAQs
To start your application, you must be:
- A U.S. citizen
- At least 21 years old
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Able to pass a criminal background check.
- Committed to only one J-1 visa sponsor at a time.
Learn more about the requirements of a CIEE local coordinator.
Main duties of a local coordinator include recruiting and screening host families, supporting family and student experiences, and serving as a cultural exchange ambassador.
Learn more about the responsibilities of a CIEE local coordinator.
A good local coordinator:
- Networks efficiently
- Responds to host family and participant needs quickly
- Communicates clearly
- Has patience
- Loves to learn about the world around them
A CIEE BridgeUSA High School team member can walk you through all the qualities they enjoy having in a local coordinator.
Questions?
Learn more on our Local Coordinator FAQ page or Contact Us