• join
    12,000
    Hosts
  • and
    175,000+
    Participants
  • from
    100+
    Countries

Host

Host an international participant in your business, home, or school.

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Partner

We can’t do it alone. Find out how you can help us bring international participants to the U.S.

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Study

Study abroad in the U.S. with our diverse range of high school programs.

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Professional Exchange

Looking to explore the U.S. while working? Learn about our cultural exchange programs.

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HOST

Host an Exchange Student with Greenheart

We still need host families for the 2024-25 School year. Find out More Today.

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PARTNER

Become a Local Coordinator

Join our network of coordinators helping exchange students and their host families all across the U.S.

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Hire Internationally

Exchange

Interview your overseas seasonal employees face-to-face at an International Job Fair.

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Travel Outside the U.S.

Travel

Looking for opportunities outside of the U.S.? Explore the world with Greenheart Travel!

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Get Involved

Scholarships

Greenheart Exchange has changed the lives of thousands of international participants and their host communities.

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Blog

Everyone

Hear stories from our participants and staff

Ready to get involved in the Greenheart Family?

Learn about opportunities to work with exchange students, volunteer in your community, or identify potential participants for our programs.

Frequent Questions

What is cultural exchange?

Cultural exchange is the sharing of different ideas, customs, traditions, values, viewpoints, and knowledge with someone who may have a completely different background.  It could be as simple as learning how to say “Hello” in a new language or trying a new food.  At its essence, it is finding common ground, making meaningful connections across borders, and cultivating global understanding. It is kindness, mutual respect, and diplomacy. It is what Greenheart does best.

What does Greenheart do?

Since 1985, Greenheart has facilitated cultural exchange programs in the USA and abroad for more than 175,000 students and adults. Our mission of connecting people and planet to create global leaders drives all that we do at Greenheart Exchange (programs in the USA) and Greenheart Travel (programs outside the USA).

Greenheart Exchange works with the U.S. Department of State to sponsor students and adults who come to the USA to study or work on J-1 visas. Greenheart Exchange finds host families, host schools, and host businesses for exchange visitors and works hard to make sure everyone has a great experience. 

Greenheart Travel helps students and adults participate in high school abroad programs, summer language camps, teach and work abroad opportunities, TEFL courses, and/or Gap Year programs.

Why should you host an international high school exchange student?

Hosting an international student is a rewarding and enriching experience for the students and for the hosts. Hosts learn about another culture, while also sharing their daily lives, values, foods, traditions, and holidays. It is an experience that broadens horizons and increases global awareness for everyone involved—not just the student, but also the host parents and siblings, the school communities, and the neighborhoods where they are hosted.   

Why do businesses host international university students or young professionals?

Hosting Summer Work Travel students or Intern/Trainees in your business is an excellent opportunity to expose your U.S. staff and customers to the world. Hosting international exchange visitors also gives them the opportunity to experience the American way of life and get to know the people in the United States. Meanwhile, your business gets the temporary help needed during the seasonal rush and/or an intern/trainee’s different point-of-view on projects.

How do I hire international teachers?

Greenheart brings pre-screened, highly-qualified and experienced K-12 teachers to accredited schools that meet or exceed state standards. We make it easy for schools to recruit teachers and we sponsor their J-1 visas. Bring the world to your school community by hosting one of our international teachers who specialize in subjects like STEM, world languages, or Special Education.

Are there opportunities to work at Greenheart supporting cultural exchange?

Greenheart is always looking for enthusiastic people who are well-connected in their communities to become Local Coordinators (LCs). LCs bring cultures together by finding volunteer host families / high schools, and matching them to exchange students from 60+ countries. LCs are paid for placements and for keeping in touch with hosts and students throughout the academic year to make sure everyone has a good experience.

I’m already working with Greenheart, and I have a problem. Who do I call?

Please contact Greenheart Exchange right away if you have a question or concern about one of your participants in country. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 9am – 5:30pm Central Time. During office hours, you can call your Greenheart Exchange contact or Local Coordinator directly, or call 1-866-684-9675. If it is outside of office hours and an emergency call our EMERGENCY phone at 1-855-767-5642. If this is a medical emergency, please call 911.