Applications are made simultaneously with regular student teaching. The following colleges and universities are members of COST and place students in overseas COST sites. The curriculum follows national models and students come from the local community. In non-English speaking countries, students are placed in independent international or American schools. These are nonprofit, non denominational, private schools established for the purpose of providing bilingual instruction preparatory for entrance into colleges or universities in the United States or in other countries.
Classes range from kindergarten through secondary school.
The curriculum follows American or Western European models in various combinations with the curriculum of the host country. Personnel in each of the COST sites may very from semester to semester. Since English is the primary language of instruction in the host schools, student teachers do not have to speak the language of the country fluently. However, it is advantageous to have knowledge of the language, particularly for teaching at the preschool or early elementary levels where the children may be in the early stages of learning English. Returning students often comment on the opportunity afforded by this program to learn and practice foreign language.