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Privacy Notice
Greenheart International
Effective Date: 1/9/2019
This privacy notice describes how Greenheart International collects, uses, and discloses Personally Identifying Information (also known as “PII”) or Personal Data (collectively “Personal Information”) from and about users of Greenheart International websites. This privacy notice also applies to any associated paper forms. Please read this privacy notice before using Greenheart International websites or submitting any personal information.
These practices may be changed at any time. Changes will be posted along with the date of the change. You should review this privacy notice when you visit Greenheart International websites to make sure that you understand how Personal Information is collected, used, and disclosed.
The Personal Information you provide to us is only used to:
We may use non-Personal Information for additional reasons described in the remainder of this privacy notice.
If you identify yourself to us by sending us an email with questions or comments, we may retain your comments for future reference.
Greenheart collects Personal Information, which is information that on its own or in combination with other information may be used to identify, contact, or locate an individual. Examples include:
Greenheart International collects other information that relates to you but does not identify you. Examples include clickstream data and web-browsing information (such as the date and time you visit a website, whether you click on various advertisements or links and the search terms you enter when using a website), and information about your computer, device and internet connection, and geographic location.
We collect Personal Information from you in the following ways:
We may share information gathered by us from Greenheart International websites with governmental agencies or other companies assisting us in providing services to you. We may do so when:
Information provided under one of the four preceding bullet points will not be used by those receiving it for marketing purposes, unless specifically authorized by the user.
Third parties who provide webhosting services or other services that make possible the operation of Greenheart International websites and the services you request through the websites may have access to information that you provide us to the extent that those third parties require access to our databases to service the websites.
In connection with the sale or transfer of all or part of our assets, we reserve the right to transfer information we have obtained from or about you.
We are not responsible for any breach of security or for any actions of any third parties that receive information from us.
Greenheart International websites are hosted and maintained in the United States of America. Your Personal Information may be transmitted to countries outside of the European Economic Area, including the United States of America. You can obtain details of the mechanism under which your personal data is transferred outside the EU by contacting us. If your Personal Information is transferred outside the European Economic Area to third party service providers, we will take steps to ensure that your Personal Information receives the same level of protection as if it remained within the European Economic Area, including by entering into data transfer agreements using the European Commission approved Standard Contractual Clauses, or by relying on certification schemes such as the EU–US Privacy Shield.
Greenheart International websites use cookie and tracking technology to collect non-Personal Information. Our system also automatically gathers information about areas you visit on our websites, and about the links you select from within one of our websites to the other areas of the World Wide Web or elsewhere online. We use such information in the aggregate to understand how our users as a group use the services and resources provided on our websites. This way we know which areas of our websites are preferred by our users, which areas need improvement, and what technologies are being used so that we may continually improve our websites. Personal Information cannot be collected via cookies and other tracking technology, however, if you previously provided us with your Personal Information, cookies may be tied to such information. Aggregate cookie and tracking information may be shared with third parties but that aggregate information does not identify individual website users. Our web servers do not record visitor email addresses unless that information is submitted by the visitor. We may determine what technology is available through your browser to provide you with the most appropriate version of a web page. Greenheart International uses Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Gravity Forms, Yoast, Formstack, Calendly, GoOverseas, and other web traffic tracking tools.
Greenheart International websites contain links to other websites. These links are for your convenience. We do not control, endorse or review the privacy notices of other websites, which may be different than this privacy notice. You should review the privacy notice of other websites before choosing to disclose Personal Information.
Greenheart takes steps to secure your Personal Information. We exercise care in providing secure transmissions when we need to transfer your Personal Information from our servers. Our websites use secure server software encryption, which is indicated by https in the url of the website. Encryption is a common method of ensuring that information remains private. Greenheart International cannot guarantee or warrant that the information that you transmit to us, or any communications is completely secure.
Greenheart International only retains data for as long as necessary for the purposes indicated in this privacy notice or for such other period as may be permitted or required by law.
For children age 14-16, Greenheart International takes additional steps to protect their Personal Information. We do not intend to collect Personal Information from children aged 13 or younger. These additional steps include:
The marks Greenheart, Greenheart Heart Logo, and Sobresmesa are either registered or unregistered trademarks of Greenheart International. All Rights Reserved. Any unauthorized use is prohibited.
Certain jurisdictions provide their residents or citizens with certain rights about their Personal Information. These may include the right to request access to the data we hold about you, to obtain a copy of your Personal Information, to request that your Personal Information be erased, to correct inaccurate information, to ask us to restrict how we process your Personal Information, or to withdraw your consent to our processing of your Personal Information. Your individual rights will depend on your residency and citizenship.
Please contact us using the following information for more information about this privacy notice, to notify us of a concern or complaint, or to exercise any of the individual rights you may have.
Data Protection Officer
By mail: 742 N LaSalle Dr. Chicago, IL 60654 Suite 300, USA
By email: click here
By phone: +1 312-944-2544
Additionally, all marketing emails and newsletters from Greenheart International allow you to opt out of further correspondence. You can do so by clicking the link within the emails, which will guide you on how to opt-out.
Families who host international high school students often tell us about the joy of experiencing another culture while sharing the American way of life. Cultural exchange experiences can be life-changing for the high schooler AND for the host family. Host Families often develop long-lasting relationships with their foreign exchange students and their families.
We asked Hunt Neely, one of our experienced host dads (he’s been hosting for years!), to share what makes hosting a successful and rewarding experience to both students and their host families. Here’s what Hunt shared with Greenheart.
“Love, trust, honesty, security, flexibility. These are the qualities that have helped make me a successful host. I am currently hosting my 15th exchange son, having hosted 4 Brazilians, 1 German, 3 Czechs, 2 Spaniards, 1 Hungarian, 3 Italians, and 1 Frenchman. I have loved each of them as my own son and to one degree or another, remain in touch with all of them. I have children all over the world!
I got the idea to host after my wife passed away and my two adult daughters were out of the house living their own lives. I had an exchange brother when I was a teen, Freddy from Venezuela. Through the miracle of Facebook, we are still in touch with each other after 50 years.
The boys help me keep active and feeling younger than I am. I am dazzled and enthralled with their discovery of new situations and friends in the USA and love to see familiar places through a new set of eyes.
I was at first concerned whether the boys’ parents might worry about an older single male hosting their son. Now, I tell any prospective student to feel free to contact my former students or, more importantly, their mothers to see if I am a good host. Not bragging, but I get glowing reviews!
I found early what my students desire most is the same they would ask of their natural parents – to be loved, trusted, and safe. Once they have this assurance in their minds, most anything else can be worked out.
Flexibility on both sides is a huge part of the equation. You have a stranger being thrown in the middle of your family dynamic. He has to get used to the “dance” we all do with our families and you must get accustomed to how he “dances.” Once they understand the house rules, roles, and duties, they normally adapt pretty quickly. Be certain you are also adapting. Both sides need to get used to different moralities, customs, and ideas. Host siblings should understand there is a new and different family mix. Their role is not diminished, it has only changed slightly.
Honesty is another major key. Be forthright and open with your expectations. Do not hesitate to both compliment and criticize, with love. Expect the same of your student. They need to know they can come to you with a problem and you will listen to them and try to help, whether it is a life problem or a situational issue. Don’t be afraid to be their friend but, at the same time, everyone should know who the adult in the relationship is.
Encourage your student to get involved, get involved, get involved. The more involved they are, the more friends they make and the more successful their exchange will be. I pity the kids who come and sit in their rooms playing computer games. More than one has said they regret not doing more with their exchange. As important as encouragement is enabling and supporting them. The kids can’t drive. If other transportation is not available, they are forced to depend on you. Be ready to help as much as possible.
Be certain the students know and understand they are living in a safe and secure environment. Their personal privacy and security is of paramount importance. If they share a room, they need to have at least a small space that is only theirs and everyone must respect this space.
Above all, love your child just as you would love your natural child. Everyone who knows me knows that I will be standing in the airport crying when my child leaves. I make them a large part of my life and, consequently, become a part of theirs. I am very open with my feelings and my children, both natural and exchange, know they are adored. Love conquers all is a true saying. Each of my boys goes home with his house keys. I want them to know they always have a key to their home in the USA.
A natural mother’s message to host father, Hunt Neely:
“Sergio is living his dream and it is all thanks to you. I can never thank you for how happy it makes me to see him so enthusiastic.”
Sergio’s whole family watched the live stream of the game from Spain to see his kicks. It started at 2:00 a.m. Spanish time.
Greenheart’s Executive Regional Director – High School Programs, Connie Deans says, “Hunt feels he always chooses the most incredible student each year and that’s why they have awesome experiences. What he doesn’t realize is that 95% of the experience is due to him being an awesome host parent! He supports and encourages his students to get involved in the life of the school, and to make the most of it. They always leave knowing Hunt gave them their dream of a lifetime.”
Thank you Hunt for sharing these remarkable observations, hints and tips and guidance for hosting! We thank you for continuing to open your heart and home for our international exchange students and playing an instrumental role in shaping their U.S. exchange experiences!
Interested in hosting a Greenheart Exchange high-school student? Visit HostwithGreenheart.org to learn more, to Meet our Students, and to apply.