CIEE Opens Direct Office in France, Bringing Affordable U.S. Internships to French Students

BridgeUSA programs from €2,200, plus a full-fee launch scholarship 

PARIS, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), the global non-profit leader in cultural and professional exchange, today opens a direct office in France, giving French students and recent graduates direct access to affordable, paid, career-defining internships and training in the United States.

Programs start at €2,200 for a 12-month, participant-sourced placement, with full placement and sponsorship options available. CIEE focuses on business, hospitality, and engineering placements, and partners with French universities, Grandes Écoles, and Business France.

Why Partner with CIEE

• Meet a Graduation Requirement: CIEE offers a structured, compliant route to the international stage that many Grandes Écoles and engineering programs require.
• Placement Support: CIEE secures quality U.S. placements, with well-known employers, and handles health insurance, compliance, and 24/7 support.
• Career-Ready Graduates: students return with hands-on experience in their field, global networks, and sharper workforce skills.
• Proven Credibility: as the U.S. Department of State's largest and longest-standing J-1 sponsor, CIEE supports more than 30,000 participants every year.

Affordable Pathways to Global Experience

• Intern Programs: paid U.S. internships of up to 12 months for full-time students.
• Career Training Programs: paid, full-time U.S. training of up to 18 months for recent graduates and young professionals.
• V.I.E Placements: with Business France, CIEE gives French companies and their U.S. subsidiaries a trusted partner for international talent mobility.

A Launch Scholarship for France's First Cohort
CIEE will award its first France-based BridgeUSA scholarship, covering the full program fee for one Intern, Trainee, or V.I.E candidate. The scholarship reflects CIEE's commitment to making this opportunity accessible from day one, not just to those who can pay full price. CIEE will share eligibility details at V.I.E Connect on November 3, 2026, at the Carreau du Temple in Paris, where it will formally introduce its France office.

"International experience transforms careers. By expanding BridgeUSA in France, we're giving more French young people the skills, confidence, and connections that last a lifetime," said Martine Mangion, Senior Vice President for International Exchange Programs.

Learn more at https://ciee.fr/.

Contact
6 Rue Legraverend, 75012 Paris, France
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
[email protected]

About CIEE
Since 1947, CIEE has been the world's leading non-profit cultural exchange and study abroad organization. It supports more than 30,000 BridgeUSA participants each year and has hosted over 1.5 million students worldwide. In France, CIEE partners with universities, Grandes Écoles, and Business France to open affordable pathways to U.S. internships, training, and professional development.

SOURCE Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)