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.
