By Nicholas Berry, Host Relations Account Manager, Work and Travel Program, Greenheart Exchange.
In January, Greenheart escaped snowstorms that blanketed much of the US to travel to the second coldest capital city in the world, Astana, Kazakhstan. Though Asana boasts sub-zero temperatures this time of year, traveler experiences were warmed by the genuine hospitality of the Kazakh people, especially those from our trusted partners at Opportunity Programs.
Travel Accentuates Meaningful Partnerships
This year we welcomed both first-time travelers and 20-year vets, hailing from all corners of the States, including the bright lights of New York City, mountains of New Mexico, and the wilds of Alaska. Visits to sending countries, like Kazakhstan, provide hosts with a greater sense of their participants culture, create meaningful partnerships and open our eyes to our differences, but more importantly, out similarities.
Building Cultural Bridges = Remarkable Interview Experience
Though cultural experience is key to job fair experiences, engaging with participants and building relationships through face-to-face connections is at the heart of making such travel so valuable. During this trip, travelers took the unique opportunity to engage with participants ahead of the job fair by participating in panel conversations with dozens of future participants through Opportunity Programs’ participant workshops. These conversations shared insights about key traits of successful team members, overall preparedness, as well as cultural understanding around language and experience in between countries. Such a highlight for hosts, these experiences helped prepare participants for their exchange programs and fostered relationships ahead of interviews making for more relaxed and personal engagement on the day of the job fair.
The Beautiful Effect of In-person Hiring!
With nearly 200 participants in attendance for interviews hosts felt at ease knowing how well-prepared participants would be after attending workshops earlier in the week. Hosts took in stories of program alumni, danced with enthusiasm for the day and shared a resounding “these students are amazing” as a long day of interviews ended. For hosts who had previously interviewed virtually, they recognized how impactful taking time out for an overseas job fair elevated both their interview process and overall connections – a core tenant of Greenheart’s purpose.
Are you a U.S.-based business and would like to host international seasonal staff for a cultural exchange? Please visit HirewithGreenheart.org to learn more.