Contributed by Kacey Nichols, Outreach Coordinator at Greenheart Exchange.
Our third round of Ambassador Scholarship grant participants land in the United States for the Winter!
The Ambassador Scholarship Fund
The Ambassador Scholarship Grant was awarded to Greenheart by the Department of State. It was designed to be implemented for one last year in 2025. With nearly 38 years of international cultural exchange, Greenheart is proud to announce the winter round of scholars. There are 12 Ambassadors from 10 countries:
- New Zealand
- Guatemala
- Panama
- Costa Rica
- Argentina
- Kiribati
- Zambia
- Fiji
- Zambia
- Papua New Guinea
With summer temperatures ranging from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit back home, these participants have said farewell to balmy temps for two to three months as they experience the holidays in the northern half of the United States:
The Joys and Challenges of International Travel
Due to international travel, some participants coming from far away may have to take a connecting flight or two. Wana Kalukangu (Zambia) shares he had his first long-haul flights to the United States. For him, it was an unforgettable experience of excitement and exhaustion:
“Sitting for hours wasn’t easy, but the views made it all worth it. Flying over Nairobi, I was amazed at how vibrant and alive everything looked. Then, arriving in New York City and seeing the skyline felt like something straight out of a movie. Since settling in, it’s been a whirlwind of new experiences. Work has been fun and a bit challenging, but in a good way. It is fascinating to see how different the stores are and to experience a completely new way of life.”
Experiencing the U.S. Weather as Part of Cultural Exchange
Wana mentions that the weather has been an adventure in itself. Nonetheless, he is adjusting well and enjoying the challenges and rewards of the Work and Travel program.
Ivanna Herrera from Guatemala has been working as a life operator at Grand Geneva in Wisconsin. She shares, “These days have been so busy but rewarding at the same time. I’m getting to know a lot of people from different countries and cultures. On Thursday, we went outside for a training, and I had to put on all my layers!”
Alongside Ivanna, Oriana from Argentina finds herself in snowy Wisconsin at Grand Geneva. Both have been diving into the snowy weather, learning about new cultures, and becoming friends with one another. Oriana believes, “Traveling abroad and getting to know different cultures fill me with a unique feeling of happiness and joy. I am so excited about what is about to come. There is still so much to experience, learn, and grow. This is just the beginning!”
Congratulations to our 12 winners who have been awarded the Winter 2024 Ambassador Scholarship program and stay warm!
To learn more about the Ambassador Scholarship Fund, click here. The Application for the Summer 2025 season has closed, with 25 countries representing the next season.
Are you a U.S. business owner interested in hiring talented international students to fulfill your seasonal hiring needs? Learn more at HireWithGreenheart.org.