Greenheart Exchange’s Summer Work Travel program connects United States businesses with international students to fulfill their seasonal hiring needs, while also allowing participants to explore the country for up to 4 months!
On October 10th, Greenheart International hosted the annual Work Travel Conference and All-Staff meetings, which included a panel featuring several Work and Travel partners and host organizations. They shared the benefits of working with the Greenheart Exchange team from both sides: those who host Summer Work Travel participants seasonally at their companies, and those who assist in sending students from their country to the United States to work in seasonal positions.
Host Businesses Thrive Under Greenheart’s Support
Two of the panel members were Karen Hammer and Matt Whittaker of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, a restaurant group operating numerous establishments across the country, with a heavy focus on the Chicagoland area.
International students often bring a fresh perspective to each business and allow for a unique exchange of various cultures. Whittaker discussed the employees’ innovative ideas and their immediate willingness to learn new skills when coming to the U.S. noting how they are especially motivated to improve themselves and better contribute to their work environment.
“You know, I really love working with Greenheart because of the kids,” said Whittaker. “It leads to a successful business on my end, and the relationships my staff and I make with them last a lifetime.”
Meanwhile, Hammer admires Greenheart for the attention paid to communicating with partners and students to ensure compatible placements, stating “I love working with Greenheart. They take care of us, they guide us, and they help us to have an incredibly successful season.”
Work and Travel Gives Students a Taste of The American Dream
Additionally, Work and Travel partner, Sakan Begalinov, of Opportunity Group in Kazakhstan, chimed in to discuss his role in sending university students to the United States with the help of Greenheart. He shared his passion for the program and praised his own work and travel experience as a young adult, focusing on how the benefits of going abroad includes experiencing new cultures, greatly expanding one’s world views.
“We really value our partnership with Greenheart because we have the same values,” said Begalinov. “We have the same vision, and we all together, try to change our students’ lives for the better.”
Students from all over the world choose to join Work and Travel programs in the U.S. for a variety of reasons, including to improve their English skills, build connections with new people, and explore places of cultural significance in America. Greenheart’s work with its partners across the globe is just one example of how it connects people and planet to create a more peaceful and sustainable future for all.
So if you’re a U.S. business owner searching for a way to hire seasonal staff and simplify your hiring process–and you’re open to learning about new cultures, Hammer says, “Do it! Be prepared to learn! And it will make the world smaller…we’re one big neighborhood.”
Want to play a part in helping international students live The American Dream? Learn more at HireWithGreenheart.org and consider applying to be a host business.