Who is Greenheart Exchange and how do we work together?

Greenheart Exchange is a non-profit international educational exchange organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Our mission is to promote cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness, and world peace. Greenheart Exchange organizes High School Exchange programs, Short-Term Homestays, ESL camps, Intern and Trainee programs, and Summer Work Travel programs in the United States. Greenheart connects people and planet through environmentalism, fair trade, social transformation and cross-cultural understanding.

Greenheart Exchange’s Work and Travel program

Greenheart Exchange’s Work and Travel (WT) program is a cultural exchange program that offers university students an exciting way to spend their summer break in the United States. Our participant’s generally secure work in seasonal/temporary positions and works up to 4 months with the potential for an additional 30 day travel period. * Please note the dates of your visa depend on the U.S. Embassy in your home country.* We are a visa sponsor, and as such, our top priority is the health, safety, and welfare of our participants.

While in the United States, you are required to check in regularly with Greenheart Exchange (your visa sponsor) in order to ensure your health, safety, and welfare! Please note, you are only allowed to miss a check-in ONCE, or the status of your visa may be at risk! It is very important to keep track of these monthly check-in deadlines.

Completing the Initial Check-In

Have you arrived in the U.S. successfully? Do not forget to complete your initial check-in with Greenheart Exchange within 3 days of your arrival in the United States! Failure to comply with the program rules (completing this check-in) can lead to program Termination, and you don’t want that! Be sure to log in to your Greenheart Exchange Online account fulfill this requirement. If you ever have trouble logging on because you don’t remember your password, you can request a login reset using the “Forgot Password” link. If you also cannot remember your username, email workprogram@greenheart.org for assistance!

Click on “Complete your Check-In Now”> Enter your current address in United States> Click “Submit”. You should be checking your Greenheart Exchange Online (GEO) account every 7 days for updates.

How Do I Check-In with Greenheart Exchange Monthly?

You will always log into your Greenheart Exchange Online account. A notification banner on the homepage will give you the deadline of when your next check-in is due. To complete it, click on the “Complete my Check-In Now” button, on the right side of the notification. A dialog box will appear with a few questions. Once finished, click the “Submit” button. Another dialog box will appear showing your current SEVIS address information. If any of this has changed, click the “Yes, I need to update my address information” button and edit the information. If you don’t need to make any changes, click the “I’m finished” button. Once you have finished, your new check-in deadline will be updated in our database, and you will see it when you refresh the website. Please always check this deadline and be aware of what date you need to check-in with Greenheart Exchange again. You may see notes in your account with additional instructions, so always be sure to read carefully.

When do I need to notify Greenheart Exchange?

If there are any changes to your health, safety, work, welfare, housing, or you have any concerns – get in touch! While you are completing check-ins monthly, you can reach out to Greenheart Exchange at any time to notify us of any changes. As your visa sponsor, we are required to inform Department of State about changes during your program – so you must notify us!

• Health and Safety Concerns: Have you arrived in the United States, but you are having issues adjusting to the new environment or having issues in your workplace? Make sure to let Greenheart Exchange know. Use your Greenheart Exchange Online (GEO) account to communicate with Greenheart Exchange effectively!
• Changing jobs: You must arrive in the U.S. fully committed to your primary job that has been verified by Greenheart Exchange. Per the Department of State regulations, participants cannot change jobs without first consulting Greenheart Exchange, and you cannot work in any job that is not approved by Greenheart Exchange. If you are having problems at your job and would like to change your job you are required to contact Greenheart Exchange or log in to your Greenheart Exchange Online (GEO) account and complete a check-in.
• Changing housing: Greenheart Exchange is your visa sponsor and we are required to inform Department of State of any changes in your program. If you change housing, you MUST update your SEVIS information through your Greenheart Exchange Online within 24 hours of the change!

We’re so excited to work together this season! We’re here to help you have a safe, successful, and compliant program. Please contact Greenheart Exchange if you have any questions or concerns – and you can always find more information in the Resources section of your online account!