Council of International Programs USA

"My participation was one of the deciding factors in my being appointed a public health doctor for UNICEF."
Victorica Petrescu, M.D.,1994 San Francisco International Program

CIF Board members at the 2004 board meeting in Riga, Latvia

THE COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS

The Council of International Fellowship (CIF) is an international professional exchange organization founded by CIPUSA alumni that provides programs in the field of human services. CIF was founded in 1960 by past participants of CIPUSA who shared a desire to continue the spirit of fellowship, human understanding, and peace that they experienced during their training in the U.S. CIF has 27 national branches and is present in 54 countries around the world.

Training Programs offered by CIF
CIF invites professionals from the U.S. to participate in social work, special education, and youth work internship programs overseas. Most programs offered range from four to eight weeks in length for a minimal cost. Programs are currently being offered in Austria/Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy/Slovenia, Kenya, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Tanzania, and Turkey.

With any of the exchange programs, professionals are invited to participate in an intensive professional and cultural program in the designated country which may run anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. All of the exchange programs require professionals to meet certain criteria in to participate. The list may include a minimum of one year of experience in the field being offered or a language requirement (all branch programs except for Germany and France are conducted in English.) Whatever the program may entail, most of the programs require host family living as a crucial part of the program’s cultural understanding. The exchange programs also include both on and off site ventures and experiences to allow for a broader scope of observation and experience.

The exchange programs offer a unique opportunity for learning and sharing in an international context. The goal of these exchange programs is to successfully allow for expansion and understanding between different cultures and people.

Current CIF Programs
For more information concerning a specific branch or program, contact the national branch accordingly or refer to this table.

How to Apply for a CIF Program
To apply for a CIF program please download the CIF Application. We ask you to apply for only one program at a time. Before applying it is best that you contact the country office that you are applying to.

For more information about CIF programs, please visit CIF at www.cifinternational.com. For a schedule of programs please click on Current CIF Programs.