Greenheart’s Work and Travel Program and How it Helps American Businesses and Communities
Our program helps U.S. organizations to bring the world to their workplace and communities! Host Organizations meet their seasonal hiring needs by hosting enthusiastic international university students through Greenheart Work and Travel! Designated a BridgeUSA sponsor by the U.S. Department of State, our program allows host organizations (U.S. seasonal businesses) to host participants from over 30 countries for up to four months. Greenheart’s Work and Travel Program forges cultural understanding, further public diplomacy and help U.S. communities. Our own Taylor Kay, Senior Director, Work and Travel Program shares:
“I’ve visited hundreds of US businesses that run international programs. I’ve observed how Work and Travel participants become integrated into the business. In many seasonal areas, the Work and Travel program provides a surge of enthusiasm at the moment that these businesses are ramping up for the season. On the other end, the program allows them to stay open later into the fall than US high school and college students are usually able to stick around.
According to an Alliance for International Exchange report published in February, 76% of host employers involved in the Summer Work Travel program report they would see a decline in their level of service to customers if this program no longer existed. Because these businesses can extend their season and their offerings to customers – whether that be a mid-Atlantic swimming pool opening in May or a Montana rafting outfitter staying open till the end of September, our economy benefits to the tune of $43 billion annually. Thankfully, the pandemic-era staffing shortages are in the rearview mirror now but in areas without large year-round populations such as Provincetown, Massachusetts, Seward, Alaska and Whitefish, Montana, they are an evergreen challenge.”
Greenheart as a Supportive Partner to Participants, Host Organizations and the Local Communities
Every summer, Greenheart Exchange staff members hit the road on “Going Greenheart Tours” (GGHTs)! We visit many locations across the United States. They meet with hundreds of Work and Travel participants, host employers and community members and leaders. Greenheart offers immediate support to participants and host organizations. Furthermore, we volunteer in the local communities through service projects with community organizations. We ensure that our GGHTs are well-thought-out, useful and meaningful to all stakeholders involved. We enjoy seeing everybody feel supported and happy! On these trips, we hear stories about cultural exchange and witness satisfied customers at businesses of all kinds. We also meet with community members and leaders supportive of BridgeUSA programs. These visits thankfully also uncover suboptimal program conditions that we could rectify with hosts in favor of participants’ safety and welfare.
The Important Role of GGHTs in Cultural Exchange
We appreciate that our exchange participants are coming to the United States eager to learn about the American culture. They come determined to participate in activities run by their American host communities. Therefore, while planning GGHs, Greenheart highlights the cultural exchange aspect through a variety of activities. Kay thinks back on his own experience right after college, working in a different community:
“I, an Easterner, worked on tradition-steeped guest ranch in Wyoming for a couple summers along with about 60 other from-away staff. The ranch, nine miles down a dirt road and 20 miles from the nearest small town, allowed us to ride horses, play golf and shoot skeet, and fish the streams. The head wrangler put on a staff rodeo and the ranch sponsored staff socials. They also arranged for staff to play in the local softball league and connected us with events such as the county fair and the Cheyenne Frontier Days.”
Take a Leap of Faith and Host Work and Travel Participants with Greenheart!
Greenheart has helped many host employers establish an international program. Contact us and read more on our website about program regulations. Advice from those at other area businesses and any community support group can be invaluable.
Thank you, Taylor, for such a positive input! We also thank our host organizations for hosting our Work and Travel participants.
Are you a U.S. business and want to host international seasonal staff for a cultural exchange? Please visit HirewithGreenheart.org to learn more.
To learn more about Greenheart’s Work and Travel program visit GreenheartExchange.org.