CETUSA

CETUSA Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA) is a nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Our main office is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Since 1995, together with international partners, Council for Educational Travel USA (CETUSA) a non-profit, global exchange organization is dedicated to helping people from different cultures develop more compassion and understanding for one another. Department of State to coordinate cultural exchange experiences for high school exchange students and their host families, and international interns

and early-career professionals. Since its founding in 1995, CETUSA has coordinated exchanges for over 85,000 high school students. CETUSA is fully accredited by The Council on Standards for International Education Travel (CSIET). Send us a Direct Message with your questions about:

-Hosting a high school exchange student!
-Welcoming an international intern or trainee
-Traveling abroad through cultural exchange
-Brining cultural exchange to YOUR community as a (paid) CETUSA local coordinator!

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CETUSA
Mission Statement:
We're on a mission to transform lives through cultural exchange! Key Staff:

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 joined CETUSA in 2011. Over the years, she has held a variety of roles with the organization, gaining a wide view and 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 joined CETUSA in 2018. He comes from a finance and organizational management background in the post-secondary higher education industry. Lisa Turnwall
Senior Placement Director
Lisa and her family hosted their first high school student in 1981. Lisa began her career in student exchange in 2006 after a number of years in the corporate world and succeeded her mother, Peg Spoelstra, as Program Director in 2015. 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, including the Trainee and Internship Program, which she current leads. 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.

09/10/2026

Becca Trout was already a mechanical engineer, motorbike racer, and world traveler when someone said to her, "Y'know...you would make a great local coordinator."

In this interview, Becca reflects on how she does meaningful work in her own community, on her own schedule, while earning supplemental income as a local coordinator for CETUSA.

Thank you Becca for this insightful look into your experience as an "LC" and for your contributions to cultural exchange! 🙌

Talk about a REAL American life skill!Jon from Spain and Mailys from France got a hands-on lesson in South Carolina — le...
09/08/2026

Talk about a REAL American life skill!

Jon from Spain and Mailys from France got a hands-on lesson in South Carolina — learning how to change a tire!

Because cultural exchange isn’t just about trying new foods and seeing new places…it’s also about learning those events that happen in everyday life!

Shout out to Jon and Mailys for jumping in, learning, and helping!

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from CETUSA!

We’re grateful for the hardworking communities, Host Families, Local Coordinators, and partners who make cultural exchange possible.

The CETUSA office will be closed today in observance of Labor Day, and we will reopen Tuesday, September 8.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

Till from Germany making his first S'more ever at his local coordinator's house in California! Photo by Heather Christia...
09/04/2026

Till from Germany making his first S'more ever at his local coordinator's house in California!

Photo by Heather Christianson

09/04/2026

✈️ EXCHANGE STUDENT CHECKLIST: ARRIVAL DAY!

The countdown is over … they are HERE! 🩵

✅ Land in the USA
✅ Meet your Host Family
✅ Get the biggest welcome hugs

ARRIVAL DAY: ✅ Checked off!

And just like that…the adventure can officially begin!

Who’s ready to check off the rest of the list?

If you’ve been following along, you may remember our State Challenge from earlier this summer! Now, the results are in! ...
09/03/2026

If you’ve been following along, you may remember our State Challenge from earlier this summer! Now, the results are in!

Here are the Top 10 States hosting CETUSA exchange students for the 2026-27 school year!

Did your state make the Top 10?
If yes — celebrate your state!
If no — there’s always next year!

Spread the word about hosting in your community and help show others how opening your home to an exchange student can change a life!

Make an impact locally — Change lives globally!✅ Join CETUSA as a Local Coordinator!This isn’t just a great side gig — i...
09/02/2026

Make an impact locally — Change lives globally!

✅ Join CETUSA as a Local Coordinator!

This isn’t just a great side gig — it’s a chance to bring cultures together, create lifelong memories, make a global impact, and build relationships around the world — all while having the flexibility to make it work for YOU!

Learn more about this opportunity at:
https://www.cetusa.org/high-school-exchange-program/local-coordinators/

09/01/2026

Thanks to our amazing Host Families, 922 dreams have come true!

Because of you, students from around the world will develop in cultural understanding, English skills, adaptability, and independence through unforgettable adventures across the USA.

To our Host Families — our mission of transforming lives through cultural exchange is only possible because of YOU! Thank you!

The Local Coordinator role is a paid, 1099 contractor role that people across the United States can do to supplement the...
08/31/2026

The Local Coordinator role is a paid, 1099 contractor role that people across the United States can do to supplement their income and enhance the sense of purpose in their daily lives. One of our brand new local coordinators, Ashley T. in Sioux City, Iowa described this beautifully in her quote below.

Like so many of us, Ashley had been a caregiver for a parent who has recently passed and was looking for something meaningful and positive to do in the time she had available. When she connected with CETUSA Regional Manager, Ashley M, she knew the “LC” role would be a great fit. Thank you so much to BOTH Ashleys for their care and commitment in building local and global community!

For information on joining CETUSA as a Local Coordinator in — your own community — visit https://www.cetusa.org/high-school-exchange-program/local-coordinators/

Address

678 Front Avenue NW, Suite 415
Grand Rapids, MI
49504

Telephone

+16163659940

Website

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