Volunteer Program in the USA: CISL Career English in San Diego

Career English, run by the CISL language school in San Diego, California, combines 6 weeks of intensive English classes with 8 weeks as an unpaid volunteer in an American company that matches your background. You practise professional English every day and come back with a certificate and a letter of recommendation.

It is not a job or an internship: the goal is to improve your English in a real work setting. Placements are found with the CISL Career English Coordinator in fields such as marketing, IT, tourism, the arts or non-profits; a specific field or company is not guaranteed.

Key facts

Duration
14 weeks: 6 weeks of English + 8 weeks in a company
Location
San Diego, California (CISL)
English level
B2 (upper-intermediate) or higher
Age
18 and over
Price
From $3,620 (English course and placement fees)
Visa
F-1 student visa (I-20 issued by CISL)
Start
Any Monday (few placements between December 15 and January 15)

What the program includes

  • Weeks 1 to 6: intensive English, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:40 (grammar, speaking, reading, writing, listening)
  • CV, cover letter and interview workshops to find your host company
  • Weeks 7 to 14: 20 to 40 hours a week in an American company
  • Follow-up by the CISL Career English Coordinator
  • CISL certificate and letter of recommendation at the end

Requirements

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months
  • English level B2 or higher
  • Bank statement covering the program and your stay
  • At least one year of experience or education in the field you choose
  • Transcripts and diplomas translated into English
  • Be 18 or older and commit to the host company’s hours

How it works with The Us House

  1. 1

    Consultation and English level check

  2. 2

    Enrollment at CISL and choice of three fields of interest

  3. 3

    I-20, SEVIS fee, DS-160 and appointment at the US Embassy in Algiers

  4. 4

    Visa interview preparation: an English program with practice in a company, not an internship

  5. 5

    Departure to San Diego, 6 weeks of classes, then your placement

Frequently asked questions

Is CISL Career English an internship?

No. It is an English program: 6 weeks of classes, then an unpaid volunteer placement where you practise English in a company. CISL insists on this point, including for the visa interview.

Which English level do I need for Career English?

At least B2 (upper-intermediate). CISL checks your level before you arrive.

How much does the volunteer program in the USA cost?

From $3,620 for the English course and the placement fees. Travel, accommodation and living costs in San Diego are extra.

Can I choose my company?

You give three fields of interest and interview with companies through the Career English Coordinator. The placement matches your background, but a specific field or company is not guaranteed.

Talk to an advisor about your project

Free consultation in French, Arabic or English: at our office in Birkhadem, by phone or on WhatsApp.

Message us on WhatsAppFill in the contact form

Or call us: 0775 73 80 33 · Sun–Thu: 9:00–17:00 (closed Friday and Saturday)

Sources

Program details checked on 20 October 2026 with the school’s official information.