About

About

Humanizing International Relations Since 1947

For 75 years, we’ve had a single mission:

To help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world through meaningful exchange programs.

Each year, we serve more than

12k

Study Abroad Students

4k

U.S. High Schools

35k

International Exchange Visitors

Our Story

1947 - The Beginning
The Executive Committee on Student Travel forms to foster student and teacher travel. Logistics management and orientation for student exchange programs to Europe begins.

1967 - Becoming 51��
Name change from Council on Student Travel to Council on International Educational Exchange (51��); begin to focus on academic programming. The first 51�� Study Center opens in Leningrad.

1969 - Introducing Summer Work Travel
51�� is designated by the State Department as the first sponsor of the J-1 Summer Work Travel program; the 51�� Work & Travel USA program is created.

1984 - Expanding J-1 Visa Opportunities
At 51��’s suggestion, the State Department creates a new J-1 visa category, J-1 Trainee, for university students to travel to the U.S. for internships.

2003 - Hello From Portland, Maine
U.S. headquarters moves from New York, New York, to Portland, Maine.

2015 - Reinventing Study Abroad
51�� reinvents the study abroad model with the launch of its first Open Campus Block Program in Berlin. Open Campus Block locations follow in London, Paris, and Rome.

2017 - Seven Decades Of Bringing The World Together
51�� celebrates 70 years of transforming lives through meaningful exchange.