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Greenheart has been awarded the Ambassador Scholarship Fund by the Department of State

Greenheart has been awarded the Ambassador Scholarship Fund by the Department of State

2 months ago by htoppen In Advocacy, Alumni, Ambassador Scholars, Public Diplomacy, Seasonal Hiring, Summer Work Travel, Volunteering

Greenheart Exchange named as Ambassador Scholarship Fund Grant awardee by the Department of State

Chicago, IL: Greenheart Exchange has been named the recipient of the Ambassador Scholarship Fund by the Department of State’s Educational and Cultural Exchange bureau.

For nearly 38 years, Greenheart has brought international participants to the United States through high school, professional, and short-term exchange programs. Our largest program is the Summer Work Travel with more than 6,000 participants annually. The Summer Work Travel program provides foreign students with an opportunity to live and work in the United States during their summer vacation from college or university to experience and be exposed to the people and way of life in the United States.

The Ambassador Scholarship Grant has the goal of serving students in underfunded countries by offering them an opportunity to learn about and experience the United States. This allows 123 brilliant students from all over the world to have their visa fees, airfare, program fees, and SEVIS fees paid for. Greenheart Exchange begins rigorous vetting for hosts and students to join this program starting in the winter of 2023.

Piloted in 2021, the Ambassador Scholarship Fund Grant was tested in several Eastern European markets and was a resounding success from hosts and participant feedback. With this success, the grant was expanded to 5 regions globally and expanded to 123 exchange visitors over 3 years.  Grant administration was open to any current BridgeUSA sponsor with non-profit status. Greenheart is delighted to have been chosen as the sole grant recipient and will continue to follow the organization’s mission by creating global leaders and promoting cultural understandings.

Here is what our President, Daniel Ebert, had to say about this award:

On behalf of Greenheart International, we are honored and proud to have been awarded the Ambassador Scholarship Fund Grant. As the largest of the BridgeUSA program categories, the Summer Work Travel program helps to change American lives and boost our economy in one of the most creative ways I can think of.  At no cost to the U.S.-taxpayer, we bring student leaders and citizen ambassadors from around the world and provide them with practical experiences with host organizations located all over the United States.  Without this program, many American businesses would suffer through their peak tourism season without enough staff, possibly having to close their doors altogether.  This program changes lives and makes our country stronger, affording new friendships that see no borders.  It is a win-win. Through our collaboration with our Embassies overseas, this grant will allow us to work with participants from countries that have never been afforded the opportunity to receive this visa.  Greenheart cannot wait to support them throughout their journeys.

Greenheart previously had an ambassador scholarship, where our selected participants received waived program fees and professional development opportunities in exchange for blogs, videos, and completion of volunteer hours while on their program.  Greenheart will be administering the Ambassador Scholarship Fund Grant similarly, in partnership with the Department of State.

Greenheart is excited to provide this opportunity to chosen participants around the world and broaden the message of these important programs on behalf of the Department of State. We know that these participants will help to showcase the message of public soft diplomacy and make a lasting impact in American communities.

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About Greenheart Exchange: Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Greenheart Exchange is a branch of Greenheart International. Greenheart International (www.greenheart.org) is an international nonprofit leader, annually working with over 90 countries and 12,000 community members, connecting people and planet to create global leaders through personal development, volunteer service, environmentalism, fair trade, and cultural exchange. This is achieved through the branches Greenheart Travel, Greenheart Shop, and Greenheart Exchange.

For Immediate Release

Haldis Toppen

Director of Communications

Greenheart International

htoppen@greenheart.org

312-264-1683