Volunteerism & Community Service
WHY ARE VOLUNTEERISM & COMMUNITY SERVICE IMPORTANT IN THE U.S.?
Volunteerism and community service (used synonymously) are a cultural cornerstone in the United States. Our shared desire to come together to accomplish personal and community goals can be traced back to the founding of the U.S. Civic duty and community contribution are central to the idea of American democracy.
Nearly every church, school, or local community center offers opportunities to get involved. When you dedicate your time and energy to a cause that’s close to your (or your host family’s) heart, you’re not only helping others and giving back to the community that’s hosting you, but you also have opportunities to meet people in your neighborhood and build a stronger sense of belonging.
Quick links
WHAT IS REQUIRED AND WHAT COUNTS?
Full-year students are required to complete and submit 5 hours per semester, or 10 hours total. One-semester students must complete and submit 5 volunteer hours.
Your hours must meet two requirements:
Requirement 1:
The activity is not considered a typical part of being an exchange student in a host family.
For example, watching a younger host sibling while their parent is at the store does NOT count, but raking a neighbor’s yard DOES count.
Requirement 2:
The student may NOT receive payment/compensation for the activity.
For example, babysitting or mowing lawns for cash does not count as a community service/volunteer activity.
If you participate in a community service event and receive a meal or a token of appreciation, the activity counts toward the requirement, as long as the token of appreciation does not have monetary value (e.g. an Amazon gift card).
Check my hours
HOW DO I SUBMIT MY HOURS?
Submitting your hours is easy! You have 2 options:
Option 1: Printed form
Step 1: Print and fill out the top portion of this form and have a supervising adult sign it. Make sure to include the organization name, date(s) you volunteered, and number of hours that you served.
Step 2: Take a clear photo of your form and email it to usa@ie-usa.org.
Participating in an event as a group of exchange students? Use this form instead.
Option 2: Digital form
Step 1: Fill out the top portion of our online Volunteer Verification Form.
Step 2: Have a supervising adult at the event sign and submit it. You will receive an email confirmation right away that your form has been submitted successfully.
You will receive a confirmation email from us once your hours have been confirmed and logged. Usually, you should receive this notification within 2 days of submitting your hours. If you do not receive a confirmation from an iE staff member, please resubmit the form.
A few ideas to get you started
(see more ideas in the FAQ section)
Community Service Challenge Award
All students are required to submit their hours by the last day of school in order to remain in Good Standing with our program. But those who submit hours early are automatically entered to win a weekend trip with their host parent(s) to an iconic U.S. city like Chicago, New York City, or Seattle.
Click through to see our Volunteering Challenge winners from the 2023-24 school year, who were true examples of community service for all of us:
EXAMPLES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
FAQ’S & HELPFUL INFO
Ask a question:
I'm not sure how to find opportunities in my area. What should I do?
There are a few different things you can try:
- Ask people in your local community for help: chat with your host family, your LC, a guidance counselor, teachers, coaches, and your friends. Most of the time, they can provide some ideas, or know who you might ask.
- Google and Google maps is your friend: Look for organizations in your local community (for example, animal shelters, senior or assisted living facilities, sports clubs, libraries, parks service…) and reach out to them. You may also be able to find virtual opportunities.
- Show initiative and start your own effort (for example, food or supply donations, holiday gift collection or letter-writing, a local clean-up).
- Email us at usa@ie-usa.org for more help.
I'm not sure how many hours I have completed. How can I check?
To check how many hours have been logged for you, ask your LC, or send us a quick “check my status” request at the top of this page.
I did not receive a confirmation of my submission... OR The hours listed for me are incorrect...
If you do not receive a confirmation email from an iE staff member within a week of submitting your hours, please resend your form to usa@ie-usa.org.
If you submitted a digital form and did not receive the automatic confirmation email of successful submission right away, please resubmit the form.
Is there a deadline to complete my hours?
You have to complete the requirement by the last day of school but we recommend completing the requirement early on during your exchange. It will give you the opportunity to get involved in your community and make friends right away, you will automatically be entered to win the Iconic City Trip each semester, and you do not risk a negative impact on your Good Standing status with iE-USA.
Deadlines to enter to win the semester trips: Fall term: November 15 | Spring term: March 15
Tell me more about the Iconic U.S. City Trip I can win.
If you complete your community service hours early (5 hours per semester), you are automatically entered to win a 3-day weekend trip to an iconic U.S. city (like New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Seattle…) with 2 host family members. To be eligible to win, you have to complete and submit your hours by November 15 for the Fall semester, and by March 15 for Spring semester.
The trip includes travel and accommodations for you and 2 host family members (for example 2 host parents, or 1 host parent + 1 host sibling), and a stipend for meals and sightseeing.
What happens if I don't complete my hours?
The community service requirement is a program requirement for participation with iE-USA. Not completing the requirement may impact your Good Standing status with iE-USA.
Good Standing is taken into consideration for travel requests (including Belo trips), or requests to stay for a few extra days at the end of your program.