Council for Educational Travel USA

CETUSA is a not-for-profit international student exchange organization that coordinates international exchange programs for high school students, university students and young professionals.

CETUSA operates as a US Department of State Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) sponsor organization and is fully accredited by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).

Our Mission

We’re on a mission to transform lives through cultural exchange!

2026 CETUSA Annual Conference in the Dominican Republic.

Stephanie Smart
Executive Director

Stephanie joined CETUSA in 2025. She comes to CETUSA with experience as a host parent and sixteen years in international nonprofit management, including 11 years working with exchange programs.

Karissa Marson

Director of Operations and Compliance

Karissa has been with CETUSA since 2011. Over the years, she has held a variety of roles with the organization, gaining a broad understanding of its operations and programs. Karissa has a deep commitment to CETUSA’s mission of promoting global exchange experiences.

Michael Dulay

Director of Administrative Operations

Michael started in 2018 with CETUSA. He comes from a finance and organizational management background in the post-secondary higher education industry.

Placement Director Team

Kristin Falkenberg
Michelle O’Malley
Tiffany Summers
Julie Weinberg

Olivia Grigorjeva

Trainee and Internship Programs Director

Olivia was a high school exchange student in 1993 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and also spent a semester in Bonn, Germany during her International Business degree studies. Upon completion of her MBA, she joined CETUSA in 2002. Since then, she has supported CETUSA in developing various programs. Olivia currently leads the Trainee and Internship Program.

Cara Parenti

Trainee and Internship Operations Manager

Cara has been interested in international cultures and affairs for as long as she can remember. While earning her degree in International Studies, Cara studied abroad in Rome, Italy and then went on to teach English to middle school students in South Korea. Cara has a deep passion for bridging cultures, people, and ideas, and loves to help other people navigate and experience life outside of their home countries.

CETUSA’s Programs

  • Inbound High School Exchange Program: 
    Eligible high school students from 20+ countries stay with volunteer U.S. Host Families while attending a semester or year of high school in the United States. The CETUSA Regional Managers and Local Coordinators who directly support students reside in the regions where their students are placed.
  • Outbound High School Study Abroad Program:
    American high school students study abroad and reside with a local Host Family in their country of choice.
  • Professional Exchange Program:
    Interns (college students) and trainees (early career professionals) from across the globe are welcomed by Host Organizations throughout the United States. CETUSA works with organizations and businesses across a wide range of (non-medical) career fields.

Mehmet from Turkey (right) completed a trainee program at a law office in Alaska through the Professional Exchange Program
generation study abroad

Fully accredited

CETUSA is granted full listing in the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) Advisory List and is a committed member of IIE’s Generation Study Abroad Initiative.