Greenheart Travel

My experience studying abroad in Costa Rica was truly unforgettable, and I am so grateful for the support and opportunities provided by my program. From the very beginning, the agency made sure I felt safe, supported, and prepared. They genuinely cared about my experience and my individual needs. Anytime I had a question or needed assistance, they were quick to respond and took action right away. Throughout my time abroad, I had countless opportunities to explore Costa Rica both within the city where I lived and beyond. The program provided many cultural activities that allowed me to better understand the country, experience new traditions, and practice my Spanish in real-life situations. These experiences helped me grow more confident and connected to the culture. My host family was another incredible part of my journey. They were kind, welcoming, and made me feel like a part of their family. They included me in everyday activities like grocery shopping, family game nights, and other moments that allowed me to experience authentic Costa Rican life. This program gave me memories, friendships, and personal growth that I will carry with me forever. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and supportive study abroad experience.

Going to Saint Malo was one of the most memorable experience of my life. Everyday was packed with events and joy. Although it was just three weeks, I left Saint-Malo with incredible gifts in my heart - more confidence in speaking French, friends and a new family. I was very lucky to have had such a supportive host family. She was very thoughtful and entertaining, and she was the one who supported me linguistically and mentally throughout the stay. She even introduced to me a game that I fell in love with called, “rummikub” which I bought for myself as soon as I get back home. I met so many new friends from around the world, who I still stay in touch and FaceTime. I cannot speak fluent French, which lead to so many miscommunications, but still as I spoke more, it naturally started to stick to my brain. I had so many challenges, but looking back now, that all became a part of the amazing memories I have. I would highly recommend this program to any high schoolers who is eager to push themselves out of their comfort level to learn a language while having fun! One advice I would give is to bring card games. It can be a conversation starter even if your not good at the language. I felt my improvement in French the most when I interacted with my host family. It doesn't have to be card games, but anything that you can bring to the table and have fun with is a must-bring.

As a first time solo traveler, this program fit my needs perfectly. We had engaging Spanish lessons and ample opportunities for me to practice what I had already learned in my previous Spanish classes. My host family was super helpful and kind, and I met such amazing people from all around the world. The city of Alicante has many things to do and sights to see, as well as a multitude of delicious restaurants.

Before coming to Argentina, I was excited but also nervous because it was my first time living in another country for such a long time. Looking back now, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. My host family welcomed me from day one and quickly made me feel like part of their family. They introduced me to Argentine traditions, food, and everyday life, and I built memories that I'll always carry with me. Attending school in Argentina gave me the chance to improve my Spanish, make friends from around the world, and experience a completely different education system. Outside of school, I loved traveling, exploring new places, going to football matches, drinking mate, and learning about the country's culture and history. There were definitely moments when I missed home, but those challenges helped me become more independent, confident, and adaptable. I learned that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. I'm incredibly thankful to Greenheart Travel for making this experience possible. They were supportive throughout the process and helped me achieve a dream I had for years. I would recommend this program to anyone thinking about studying abroad. You'll make lifelong friends, gain a new perspective on the world, and come home as a different person in the best way possible.

This is the first time I have ventured out by myself and left the country, which was a little scary at first but also thrilling and exciting. Leaving my home country, I knew culture was going to be different in Spain and it was, but I loved every second of it. Every culture difference I saw in Spain was awesome and interesting. I had many great experiences that helped me get fully immersed into the true spirit and culture of Spain. I loved the medieval history, Tabarca Island, and many other experiences I got to do. I made many friends and the program was absolutely amazing and worth it. My host mom was great and very sweet. She worked hard to make many meals and create a comfortable place for me to stay. My place was perfect for me and all my needs. Being a first-time traveler and going somewhere you've never been, you will experience homesickness either on your first day or your second day, which is completely normal. I know I did. I had to look past it and instead get out of your apartment and go out and explore the city- go to the beach and experience the beach, make friends. Making friends is crucial to curing culture shock and homesickness. I had homesickness my first and second days until I met my roommate Kai and we became friends, then my culture shock and homesickness just went away. I soon made more friends and then it definitely went away. It came back every once in a while, but that was just because I missed my family and I missed my home, which is completely normal being a first time traveler. However, because of my host family and friends, I got through it and had a great trip.

My year abroad was an experience filled with highs, lows, and surprises. Looking back, my experience was mixed, it didn't fully meet my expectations in some areas, but in others, I was pleasantly surprised. The good parts were incredible, living in a different country allowed me to experience a new culture, meet people from different countries and backgrounds, and gain a greater sense of independence. I enjoyed exploring new cities, trying local foods, and learning more about how people live and study outside of my home country. These experiences helped me grow personally and become more adaptable. However, there were also challenges that made the experience difficult at times. Adjusting to a new environment was harder than expected, and there were moments when I felt disconnected from my new life abroad or frustrated. I faced challenges I wasn't prepared to confront by myself, such as sudden loss, anxiety, and homesickness. While I had my host family and friends to support me, I was sure being at home with my family would help me with my problems. But, even though I struggled with these things, it added to my experience here and helped me learn how to rely on others, myself, and trust in the process. One of the most unexpected parts was noticing how my behavior changed in a new environment. In America, I tended to be louder and more active in class discussions. In Italy, I became more observant and passive, spending more time listening, translating, and noticing my surroundings. While this was not a change I anticipated, it taught me that growth can happen in ways you don't expect. I wouldn't count this as a positive or negative aspect, because in ways I feel like I lost a large part of who I am by being quieter, but I also just learned how to express myself in ways that I hadn't in my home country. Although my experience was mixed, I don't regret it. The challenges, lessons, and memories all contributed to a chapter of my life that helped me better understand both the world and myself. Overall, this year made me face problems I never expected to deal with, especially on my own; but I learned more this year than I planned to, so I am happy I went out of my comfort zone, tried a year abroad, and learned about myself.

My name is Jadie, I did one highschool year abroad in Italy with the help of Greenheart. With the experience I had using Greenheart travel, I am very happy and satisfied. If I ever had a problem, issue, or anything that I was stressed out about, they were there. If i sent an email they would respond almost immediately, and if the time change didn’t align they have a 24/7 hotline. I am very pleased with their company and would highly recommend this program to anyone who is wanting to go abroad for however long. My parents can confirm this, as Greenheart always updated them even if I didn’t. I would one hundred percent recommend this program to students trying to get out of their comfort zone and grow their future.

This experience has been the best most educational and formative of my life. It has changed me as a person and permanently altered my mindset for the rest of my life. If you choose to do this it will be something you never forget. You will gain memories, friends, and a new home no matter how long you stay.

This program was everything that I had hoped it would be and more. The food was delicious, the culture and history of Spain was magnificent, and my host family was super kind and accommodating. Madrid itself was also very clean, full of friendly people, and the safest city I have ever lived in. You don't receive much guidance from the program in regards to teaching, navigating the city, or making friends, but I was able to overcome most of these challenges myself or with the help of my host family after sometime. Would highly recommend this program if you are looking for a change of pace.

My time as an exchange student in Costa Rica has truly been such a great opportunity and experience. Living with my host family made me feel truly welcomed and part of their home, and every day gave me a chance to learn more about the culture, the language, and myself. From the beautiful nature and exciting adventures to the small everyday moments, I gained new perspectives and made memories I will never forget.

Green Heart, to put it shortly, has truly opened my eyes to an experience of a lifetime. Allowing me to see things and have experiences that I believed I would never bless me in my years of living. To put in into simpler terms, it was as if about 20 angels came down from the sky and gave me an oppurtunity to go overseas and live out the daydream. Thank you truly!

I had an amazing time studying abroad in Quebec City. I was apart of a amazing school community and made plenty of friends. I had the best school director and my teachers were nothing but kind, supportive and amazing.

This was my first time traveling alone and overall it was a very positive experience! I left feeling confident traveling on my own and realized I very much prefer handling my schedule than letting others handle it. I was not amazed by the school. The teachers were nice but the class work was very similar to your average Spanish class. Communication with GreenHeart was great but the communication from the school wasn’t the best. Overall I think this is a good program if it’s your first time traveling abroad. You’ll get a good mix of structured activities and the freedom to explore and very safe and welcoming city.

Green Hearts Travel’s Teen Language Camp is an amazing experience for young learners. The camp offers a fun way to learn a new language while exploring different cultures. From the start, it’s clear that the camp is all about making learning enjoyable and engaging. The language lessons are interactive and interesting, with activities like cooking classes, field trips, and games that help students practice the language in real-life situations. Instead of just memorizing vocabulary, campers get to use the language in everyday contexts, which makes it much easier to understand and remember. The camp also focuses on building friendships and confidence. Teens from all over the world come together, and the small group sizes make it easy to connect with others. The staff is friendly and supportive, always ready to help students with both learning and personal growth. The accommodations are comfortable, and the food is great, so campers feel at home during their stay. Overall, Green Hearts Travel’s Teen Language Camp is a perfect mix of education and fun. It’s a place where teens can learn a language, make new friends, and have an unforgettable adventure.

This program was very rough. Overall, there was an overwhelming lack of support from the program and not many experiences to engage in the culture outside of your host families resources. I did not have a horrible time, I still made friends and learned the language alright, but my experience was pretty limited in comparison to the amount I payed for this program. The only part of my program that went really well was the time at the high school I was placed in. However, the high school was an entirely different entity than Greenheart Travel, so Greenheart earns no points there. The biggest problem was the huge variability in the quality of host families paired with the lack of in country support. While I did not expect to be placed with a very rich family, I did expect my family to be financially stable and to have the time and resources to care for me. This was not the case. My host family had barely enough money to get by, especially with me added to the family. They often asked to borrow money from me or to borrow my credit card. I found this highly inappropriate. In addition, most of the time I was on my own or only with my host sister (who was younger than me). Food situations were often tricky too, it was always awkward to ask for food. A lot of the time I did not get breakfast. The only method of transport in the host family was a motorcycle, so they were not even able to take me to and from the airport. I had to do most public transit on my own. I understand some people live this way and that is fine, I don’t mean to be disrespectful. However, the program did promise regular meals a day and a stable host family situation. On top of the unstable family situations, the lack of in country support also made my experience very difficult. The staff in country knew nothing about exchanging money in Argentina and often recommended illegal methods. This is unacceptable. The staff tasked with selecting, interacting, and monitoring host families did not meant standard.They did not provide a lot of resources to me when my host family situation became volatile. The opportunity to swap families was mentioned but never presented as a real option. In addition, I found that the host families were not well prepared to accept exchange students. EduQuality staff members had not done a good job communicating with host families about expectations on meals, help with the language, etc. The Greenheart program’s support back at home when I applied and when I returned were not admirable either. They often took weeks to respond to my emails and several mistakes were made during my payment process including pushed up deadlines and extra charges. While all of these problems were resolved it was troublesome. In addition, after returning in country I was not awarded my scholarship for several months. I was supposed to receive it while in Argentina or shortly after, however I took several emails, many phone calls, and the help of my parents to obtain the money. I was very disappointed in this. The last thing I would like to say is that these problems did not only happen to me. The cohort I went with faced similar problems with food, housing, and completely unaccepting host families. They also experienced Greenheart and their companion company in Argentina take away in country support from them while they faced significant problems. I sincerely hope you will think twice before sending yourself or your child with this program. I was not impressed and it was quite expensive. You could have a much better experience with another company. A better option might be the rotary program.

I did a high school semester abroad in Italy with Greenheart Travel this year (2024-2025). Before I left, I was looking into other programs but none of them made me feel as excited and secure as Greenheart did! Greenheart has a bunch of stundent-written blogs on their website that were helpful to read and made me feel like I knew what I was getting into. Our coordinator was so lovely and helpful, she was always encouraging and honest and open to answer all of me and my parents questions. Greenheart matched me with the most amazing host family and my host family made my whole experience soo amazing! (It seriously makes all the difference!) Greenheart takes your hopes and worries into consideration and strives to give you the best experience possible. If you are looking into studying abroad, I HIGHLY recommend going with Greenheart Travel as your program!

Studying abroad in Ireland with Greenheart Travel’s High School Study Abroad Program was a valuable experience, though not without its challenges. I spent a semester in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, attending Transition Year at Monaghan Collegiate School. While there were many positive moments, the program’s partner organization often lacked adequate support, which created unnecessary difficulties. The program began with a stressful arrival. As a first-time solo traveler, I was told staff would meet me after customs, but no one was there. I spent over an hour searching for assistance, which could have been avoided with better communication. Fortunately, the orientation camp at Maynooth University helped me settle in, offering a fun and welcoming introduction to Ireland. My host placement was one of the best parts of the experience. I lived with a single woman who was incredibly kind and supportive, providing a safe and comfortable home. Not all students were as fortunate, which made me even more appreciative of my situation. School was a mixed experience. Transition Year focused more on activities like work placements and trips than academics, which had its enjoyable moments. However, the school environment was not always welcoming, as I witnessed some of my peers facing discriminatory behavior that wasn’t addressed. Living in Monaghan had its challenges. The small-town setting felt limiting, and with so many exchange students placed in the area, it sometimes seemed the program prioritized filling spots over thoughtful placements. Traveling to iconic Irish landmarks was expensive and difficult, which was disappointing. Another issue was the lack of support from Greenheart’s partner agency, Educatius. Beyond the airport mishap, the local coordinator wasn’t approachable, and concerns often went unresolved. However, the trips organized by Educatius were highlights, especially visits to Giant’s Causeway and Belfast, which provided opportunities to explore Ireland’s beauty and culture. Overall, my semester in Ireland was a mix of highs and lows. The friendships I made and the personal growth I experienced were invaluable, but the program’s organizational shortcomings were frustrating. For future travelers, I recommend researching placements and support thoroughly. Despite the challenges, the experience was worthwhile, and I’ll carry the memories and lessons with me for years to come.

I loved my program and I do not regret going. I had a lot of fun engaging in school, sports, community events, and traveling. I had a fair amount of opportunities in my town even though it was small and people were very willing to accept me into their community. I grew to love the culture and found it easy to make friends, learn the language, and live a new lifestyle even though I am typically a reserved person. I struggled with my host family and also had several problems with staff members and these are the reasons I would not recommend the program. I found the staff were not mindful of the best interests of exchange students and did not prepare host families well to accept a student. For this reason, I would not recommend this program even though I did have a wonderful time despite the many rough spots.

I have had an overall positive experience with Greenheart Travel. I applied for their program to complete the 1-month TESOL course and find a 7-month teaching placement in Thailand. Greenheart was helpful throughout the application process, but I have been in very little contact with them since. After I was accepted for this program, Greenheart connected me with a partner agency based out of Thailand to take over my placement. I would recommend Greenheart Travel as a stepping stone to find out more information about the program you are interested in, but beware that they may not remain as your go-to agency once you move further along in the process. However, if any questions come up that Greenheart is unable to address, they can connect you with someone who can!

It was such an amazing experience that I would trade for the world. Because of this trip, I now am able to travel abroad on my own without fear. This experience opened up so many door for me and my future. Traveling with the program made me value change.

One of the most unique and rewarding experiences of my life was my time spent in Saint Malo, France this past summer. I was not only immersed in French culture but also surrounded by a melting pot of international students who all shared my sense of adventure and curiosity about the French language. The program I attended brought together people from all over the world, and what I thought would be a purely French cultural exchange turned out to be much more. I wasn’t just learning French and living with a host family—this experience introduced me to various cultures and languages that I had never anticipated. When I first arrived, I expected to learn about French customs, language, and lifestyle. But soon I realized that my days were filled with meaningful connections with students from different parts of the globe. It was fascinating and heartwarming to witness people from such diverse backgrounds coming together, bonding over shared experiences, and learning about France together. From the very start, my classmates and I exchanged stories about our respective cultures, and I walked away with not only a deeper understanding of France but also newfound knowledge about countries and traditions far beyond its borders. My host family was a key aspect to my learning. They were kind, caring, and treated me like one of their own. Every day, I was immersed in French—whether it was during meals, conversations, or when they recommended places for me to explore. They even showed me how certain foods were meant to be eaten the traditional French way! Because they only spoke French at home, my language skills improved tremendously, and I began to feel more confident using the language. I cannot imagine a better way to experience France and to really learn the language from locals. At school, I had two teachers, each with their unique teaching style, yet both equally efficient in making learning fun and interactive. I remember one memorable activity where we went to a French supermarket to find various items, helping us practice vocabulary in a real-world setting. Every day was filled with opportunities to learn, not just from textbooks, but from experiences. We also had an instructor who took us on exciting trips and activities after school. From **mini-golf to crepe-making, there was always something new to look forward to. Saturdays were reserved for bigger adventures, like visiting the stunning Saint Mont-Michel or exploring the walled city of Saint Malo. One of the highlights was sailing, something I had never done before, but with the support and guidance of the staff, I felt safe and ended up loving it!

This was my first time going to Japan and although I was nervous, Greenheart and the school supported me in every way possible. They were always very attentive to respond to any questions or concerns I might have and were quick to follow up anything. Arriving in Japan, I was assigned an amazing host family of five people including three little boys which were a lot of fun to get to know. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with my host family as they taught me many customs, showed me around Fukuoka, and made many delicious meals. At Genki, the school I attended for three weeks, I learned so many new things with many teachers. I really enjoyed going to class every day as I usually would have at least two different teacher per day who would teach separate material. I truly to feel that my Japanese improved during the time I was there. Aside from the academics, I also made many friends who I still keep in touch with. The school would also take us on trips over the weekends to local sights or experiences. Throughout my time in Fukuoka I was able to accomplish everything that I had had in mind before I went to Japan and I am very happy with ell the experiences I had there.

My experience was very rare and wonderful. I was surrounded by not only native French speakers such as my host family but I was also surrounded by a melting pot of students at the school we attended through the program. Initially, I thought I was only going to learn about the French culture, yet I ended up learning about many other cultures and languages as well. It was very interesting and heart warming to see many people who came from different backgrounds connecting and experiencing new things together. I made many new friends from all over the world who educated me in their culture, and together we learned the French culture. My host family also played a major role in helping me learn about the French culture, and made me feel as if I was at a second home. They would make French meals and only spoke and expected only French conversations in the house, which improved my French speaking skills by a lot! They would also recommend me places and showed me things from their culture such as, how they eat certain foods. My host mom and Dad were also very caring and made me feel very safe and secure. I always felt safe during my time there, weather it was at home, during activities, free- time, or school. The school I attended in France was well organized and the teachers/staff were very respectful and helpful. The teachers would create fun and interesting activities in French, like going to a French supermarket and finding different items. I had two different teachers while I was there. Although, both teachers had their own ways of teaching they still taught their classes very efficiently and in fun ways to improve our learning experience. We would also have an instructor who would take us to activities everyday after school and fun trips every Saturday. For example, here are some of the activities and trips: Mini golf, Saint Malo tour, olympic games, crepe making, tour of Saint Malo aquarium, trip to Saint Mont-Michelle, Rennes, and etc... I am very happy I was able to experience this all and become more independent and learn more about myself, cultures, France, languages, and much more in just a month! I will never forget this trip!

Through this program I was able to branch out further than I ever would have at home. I made more than just friends from this experience. I gained sisters from Korea, forever friends from the states, and a new beat friend from Germany! This is an experience I would highly recommend to anyone! It doesn’t even have to be for language enthusiasts.

I recently participated in a teen travel Spanish immersion course in Salamanca, Spain. Overall, the experience was positive, though there were areas that could be improved. Pros: Beautiful Location: Salamanca is a picturesque city with a rich history. The opportunity to explore its beautiful architecture, vibrant plazas, and historic landmarks added significant value to the experience. The city's charm greatly enhanced my stay. Language Immersion: Being surrounded by the Spanish language daily was incredibly beneficial. Both formal classes and informal interactions helped me improve my speaking and listening skills more than I expected. Engaging Activities: The program included various cultural activities and excursions that were both fun and educational. Visits to museums, historical sites, and local markets enriched our understanding of Spanish culture. Supportive Staff: The program staff were generally supportive and approachable. They were always available to assist with any issues and provided helpful guidance throughout the course. Friendships: One of the highlights was meeting other teens from different parts of the world. The friendships and cultural exchanges we experienced were invaluable. Overall Experience: The teen travel Spanish immersion course in Salamanca was a worthwhile experience that provided a unique opportunity to improve my Spanish skills while enjoying the rich culture of Spain. While there were a few areas that could use improvement, the overall experience was positive and rewarding. I would recommend this program to other teens interested in language immersion and cultural exploration.

3 months ago I began my teaching adventure abroad with Greenheart Travel. I've had a fulfilling experience overall. Initially unaware of their partnership with Xploreasia, I was happy with the level of support provided leading up to my departure. The program equipped me with valuable knowledge and resources, and their responsiveness to any questions made my feel at ease. Now settled in the beautiful city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, I am thoroughly enjoying my teaching experience. The weather is delightful, the local community is welcoming, and there's an abundance of things to do! Some of the downsides would be that the working hours are longer than anticipated, and the contract length exceeded my initial expectations. Additionally, I encountered unexpected hidden costs along the way. Overall, my time with Greenheart Travel/XploreAsia has been positive, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach in such a beautiful location. While there have been challenges, the rewards of living and working in Chiang Mai are extremely fulfilling. I would recommend using Greenheart to allow the transition abroad to be smooth and stress free.

I had an absolutely amazing time in the Netherlands! I stayed in Steenwijk, about two hours away from Amsterdam. My family was so kind and helpful and I met some amazing people! The first week I had an orientation program which was simply amazing. There were people from all over the globe who stayed with me in the hostel. It was like summer camp!

I had a great time, I'm so glad I went on this trip. There's so much I could say but I can't choose. If you're wondering if this is for you, take this trip. You will not regret it. This was one of the best things I've ever done.

*Took part in the homestay and teach English in South Korea program* I recently had the incredible opportunity to live with a family in South Korea for 3 months through Greenheart’s Korean homestay and teach English program and I highly recommend it. My gap year dream was to live in South Korea and teach English. I had completed the TEFL course and then found out that legally I needed a degree to teach in Korea. I thought it was going to be impossible to go when I found Greenheart's homestay program whilst surfing the web and reached out to them. Right from the start, the Greenheart team was helpful and guided me through the application process. Despite my late application, they stood by me, guiding and assisting me throughout the rushed process. Even after I arrived in Korea, their unwavering support continued from meeting me at the airport, sorting out a Korean SIM Card, taking me to the family I was going to be living with and helping me find and enrol in Korean language lessons. Whenever I encountered any challenges or needed assistance during my stay, Greenheart was always there, providing the help I needed. One of the most pleasant surprises was the affordability of the program. Initially, I had concerns about the price, but experiencing it first-hand, I can confidently say it offers exceptional value. In fact, the cost is significantly more reasonable compared to attempting a similar endeavour independently. To summarise, my experience with the Korean homestay and teach English program with Greenheart was truly extraordinary. It not only allowed me to fulfil my dream of living and teaching English in Korea, but it also provided unparalleled support and guidance throughout the entire journey. If you're contemplating a homestay in Korea, choose Greenheart. You won't be disappointed.

From August 2022 to July 2023, I participated in Greenheart Travel's High School Abroad program in the Netherlands. This is an amazing program and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in it. As a young person, it was so valuable to be able to live abroad and experience an entirely new country and culture. I did experience some difficult situations, but Greenheart Travel's staff was absolutely amazing. They were prompt with their email responses and were always very kind. They helped me solve my problems, and helped to make my exchange year a great one! My only issue with this program was the in-country partner organization. They were not very helpful and I wouldn't recommend them. However, Greenheart was absolutely amazing.

The classes are good for beginners. The teachers were very friendly and helpful, and the family at my homestay was very welcoming and kind. The students at the school were primarily adults, at least during my program, so it was a little bit harder to make friends and find stuff to do after classes. It was coordinated well and communications were usually responded to quickly. Overall I enjoyed my program and the opportunity to experience life in Japan.

Travel is travel, but when you go somewhere with the intention of truly appreciating and adapting to the new culture it makes the experience all the more beneficial. Greenheart travel is a great entry point for new travelers and provided amazing service throughout my trip. This being my first time flying alone I found that I had little to no issues connecting with the program. Green heart travel was an amazing eye-opening experience, I recommend this program for anyone who is curious about the world and cultures around them.

I connected so well with my family in Spain. Greenheart did a great job connecting us. I recommend this program! I loved my experience. The Spanish have really been put on my heart. I can’t wait to go back.

I personally had a great experience going through Green Heart Travel. Initially, I was not aware that they partnered with Xplore Asia but the transition was very smooth and they were just as useful. I came through on November 28, 2022 date and I am now at my placement in Bangkok & teaching at an international private school. GreenHeart Travel provides you with all the resources you need prior to departure, making it easier to gain a full understanding of how everything will take place from start to finish. Ian was always there to answer any of my questions and scheduled phone calls which made me feel a lot more confident/ prepared to leave. I really enjoyed my experience going through GreenHeart and they really did exceed my expectations overall.

I definitely could not have made this trip happen without Greenheart. I had never been to Asia, nonetheless, had also never been to Asia during the height of COVID. Arrival planning was chaotic at times, but I definitely felt Greenheart staff did their best to keep us updated given the circumstances. Communication was easy and I was able to stay in touch with staff regularly until arrival. I was really unaware of the involvement of Xplore Asia though when I applied to Greenheart--they will pass you off to Xplore Asia prior to departure from your home country. The fees were definitely high, but for the level of coordination required (visas, work permits, teaching placement) to make this happen, it was definitely worth it. The program itself was great-- loved my kids and the time off to travel, but the location wasn't the best and the weather is not to be underestimated (prepare to sweat constantly everyday). Overall, won't do it again, but it was the best thing for me at the time and no regrets!

*I actually took part in their in person TESOL course, but did not see it listed* The phrase “Oh, I just do it for the piece of mind” is the first thing I thought of when writing this review. Knowing that I had a team of experienced experts that would walk me through each step of the way through the pre-arrival process proved to be invaluable. I could not imagine having to weather this process alone or with the help of just one or two people. Greenheart Travel and their team of partners made this entire experience far less stressful than it could have been. Finding a job abroad, then finding and sending all the required paperwork is no simple feat. However, with their help and very detailed guides, it proved to be something I could easily manage. Still, it didn’t end once I arrived in Korea. The in country TESOL course proved to be invaluable for countless reasons. The one-week introduction course was a great welcome to the country and helped ease many of my nerves and anxieties about moving to a new country. Not only this, but the course allowed me to practice lesson planning as well as actual teaching, all under the supervisor of an experienced TESOL instructor. During the four-week course, there was always someone I could turn to if I needed a question answered about anything at all. The best part, however, were the friends and experiences I had. It was wonderful being with so many likeminded individuals and getting to know them. To this day, I still keep in touch with most of them and make efforts to see them as much as possible. Lastly, even after my course came to an end, I had several, professional, contacts I could reach out to in case I needed help or advice. Greenheart Travel’s program essentially sets you up with a “friend you can always turn to”; best of all, they are obligated to reply, and they always do. If you are looking to move abroad to teach, this program is absolutely worth the investment and will ease any worries you may have about your potential new home and any struggles you may have.

First and foremost, I have not stayed outside my Country before. But i am a very strong gentleman who adopts to different environment so I am fully prepared to stay in any country including Vietnam to work. This all I can say for now, Thank you.

I moved to Thailand around 3 months ago and am already thinking about extending my 6 month contract. My school is in the centre of Bangkok and is an amazing place to work. Greenheart were super accommodating when I wanted to postpone my programme by a year due to covid. I was able to defer with no issues. Coming through Greenheart has allowed me to meet so many other foreign teachers to make friends with which is a huge bonus! All the Greenheart staff were always available for me to ask any questions and were helpful when it came to sorting all the documents I needed on arrival in Thailand. Highly recommend!

Greenheart travel partners with a team in Asia to take care of certifying teachers, applying for jobs, getting you completely ready to live and teach in SK. I was very lucky; I didn't have any issues with the training or finding placement. Overall, I am happy that I choose GHT. There were some restrictions in place in SK due to covid regulations, but even so I didn't feel abandoned when I arrived. I would recommend them to anyone who was interested in traveling abroad. Greenheart travel partners with a team in Asia to take care of certifying teachers, applying for jobs, getting you completely ready to live and teach in SK. I was very lucky; I didn't have any issues with the training or finding a placement. Overall, I am happy that I choose GHT. There were some restrictions in place in SK due to covid regulations, but even so I didn't feel abandoned when I arrived. I would recommend them to anyone who was interested in traveling abroad. Coming to Korea has been such an exciting adventure. If you want to have unforgettable experiences, you should apply to come here.

Before coming to Argentina, I had no idea what to expect. In my time here I’ve been far from disappointed. A prospective traveler can expect their time abroad to be filled with countless exciting opportunities. Whether it be strengthening their Spanish through immersion, attending a baile with friends, hiking in the mountains, or more. Highschool abroad is one of the most challenging, but rewarding things a student can do- I couldn’t recommend it enough.

I'm grateful to have gone to Japan through Greenheart Travel. Here is my honest opinion on my experience. Overall, it was great. My flights to and from went smoothly, aside from my broken laptop :( , and my host family's home was, honestly, bigger and more comofortable than mine in the US. My schoolteachers were very understanding of me and the other students, and pushed us to practice Japanese in a variety of ways. They occasionally scolded us for speaking in English while in between classes! My experience was faithfly immersive, and I got to learn a lot about the Japanese way of life along with their historical culture. This was done through organized field trips, or outinfs with my host family. I enjoyed my time there, and received reasonable communications from the language school of events and schedule changes. However, Greenheart Travel's communication itself disappointed me. While I was preparing for my trip to Japan, the program manager seemingly changed between 2 or 3 different people at different times. There were times when I didn't know who my main point of contact was because of the confusion, and it was very scary for me because I had never been abroad, and had no idea what kind of information I needed to provide along the way, or who I would ask my questions too. I was grateful that Greenheart had the ability to provide scholarships for students like me, especially because I was paying for the program myself, but aside from that have limited good experiences with the agency. My program handbook mentioned that I was supposed to have at least one video call with my host family before I left to get to know them before departing, but this never happened. Instead, I wasn't even given any information about them until less than a week before my departure. I'm glad to have had this experience, but have now ascertained that I'm unlikely to travel with Greenheart again until they build a more reliable team. It was the people I met while abroad that truly made my experience so wonderful, and I hope that Greenheart can give future students a better experience!

We were disappointed with our Greenheart experience. We found communication very challenging. The complication arose when our 14 year old was left at the airport in Spain alone and no one was answering emergency numbers. We paid an additional $75 fee for a chaperone to meet him, his flight arrived at 6am which was outside the "normal" time. We did not have an issue paying this fee, however when the chaperone failed to show our son called us. At just after 1am EST (just after 6am in Spain) my husband and I called both the emergency phone numbers we were given, one in the USA and one in Spain. The number in the USA was an answering service (much like a doctors after hour number) and the service said both people who were supposed to be on call were not responding. As for the number in Spain no one was answering. So neither of the emergency numbers we were given worked and our 14 year old son was 3000 miles away in a different country. We entrusted our son's care with Greenheart and they failed. We were given instructions on the exact meeting location and our son confirmed with Airport security that he was in the correct spot. We were told later that the chaperone went to the wrong location. We finally were able to get through to Spain at 8:25 Spain time. When I finally did connect with Ana at Greenheart she apologized and said it was a good "learning experience" for our son and they would be refunding the chaperone fee. However I followed up a week later she told me that they would not refund the fee as despite the fact the Chaperone went to wrong location he was there. I had to send screen shots of my call logs to Emergency numbers and the length of time he was left alone to finally get them to refund this fee. We were stunned that no one bothered to answer the emergency lines despite knowing there were students scheduled to arrive. We were also surprised that even though Greenheart had our sons cell number as well as ours they never shared this with the chaperone who could have just called us or our son when he was unable to locate him at the airport. The other issue was what is promised on their website and what the kids actually get is not the same. The greenheart website says:Students that arrive at the Madrid airport before 11am travel by train to SalamancaStudents that arrive at the Madrid airport between 11am and 4pm will take the group shuttle that departs after 4:00pmSince my son was arriving at 6 am I assumed he would be traveling by train to Salamanca, however I was told that he would have to wait at the airport until 4 pm (10 hrs of waiting) to depart by shuttle. When I pointed this out, Greenheart finally agreed to coordinate two groups so that early arriving students didn't have to wait at the airport for 10 additional hrs. As for supervision and host experience the kids are pretty much left on their own to do whatever they want. The host family was very nice but there were a lot of people staying in their home, not all of them students, it seems they also rented out rooms to travelers. Greenheart also did not know who else would be staying with the host family which was not comforting. The students were given keys and allowed to pretty much come and go. Our son is used to NYC streets and is outgoing so he had fun exploring but if you are concerned with supervision there was not a lot. The classes at Estudio Sampere my son enjoyed and I would recommend going directly to them and skip using Greenheart. All and all it was a very disappointing experience. Communication is too challenging. I realize that we all make mistakes but what is telling is how people respond when a mistake is made. --

I was initially so nervous to visit Thailand, especially due to the COVID pandemic- I even pushed back my start date 6 months. But I cannot say enough good things. Greenheart has had my back this whole time providing me with consistent support. Right before I was set to leave, I was having a ton of VISA issues, and they helped me work through it all. Since coming to Thailand, I have experienced so much and seen so many things- I will forever be changed by my time abroad and am so grateful I decided to go, especially with the help of Greenheart!

Many people use Greenheart and have good experiences. Had everything gone smoothly with our child’s host family placement during her high school semester in Spain, that might have been true for us. However, if there is a need to move host families, you might not be able to count on Greenheart. Our daughter had to move due to domestic violence. Greenheart and their in-country partner CCI bungled just about every decision from the moment they were informed of the emergency up until our child’s last day with the program. After moving her to a new family and location, the local coordinator was a particular problem. She was strangely critical with our child and made statements that interfered with her relationship with the new host family. Throughout the ordeal neither Greenheart nor CCI were proactive about ensuring our daughter’s well-being. Many organizations are suffering now with such low participation during the pandemic. But nothing can explain their insensitivity and poor judgment. Greenheart was having staff turnover so perhaps if they get their house back in order they can provide kind, attentive service. I wrote to the Greenheart CEO after our child was safely back in the country and was told that the problem was our daughter’s inability to adapt and make a success of her situation – they accepted no responsibility.

Besides being affordable compared to other programs, Greenheart Travel strives to not only make a difference to travelers, but also to their community and world around them. They provide many opportunities to help you in making a change in your community. They provided a lot of information before leaving to a program and program managers are always there to help! I had an amazing experience and would do it again if given the chance. Don't be scared to try new things! Talking to others in their language, trying new foods, making new friends, etc.. Before the program, I was reserved, (a little) picky with food, and worried about my language abilities. However, after the program I have growned to love foods I did not before, made a lot of new friends and talked with lots of people that changed my life, and improved my language skills a lot! I hope you enjoy your trip because I certainly did.

My experience with Greenheart Travel was an amazing one! The team is responsive, caring, and sends you a bunch of resources before, during, and after the program! They really made my trip to France so easy and helped me take care of any questions or worries I had throughout my experience. Connor was absolutely wonderful from beginning to end. He really took into consideration my perspective and gave me very useful advice about my placement. When I first stumbled upon Greenheart I was a bit hesitant because it was an organization I've never heard of before, with not many reviews. However, after taking the program with them I can confirm what an excellent experience I've had. Without my stay in France I wouldn't fully understand the culture and I wouldn't have improved my french half as much. My host family really became my own, and I'm happy to say they will continue to be a part of my life. I highly recommend Greenheart to anyone who is trying to gain an awesome, immersive cultural experience.

I recently have returned from my exchange in Albacete, Spain, and I could not be happier with with my time abroad! GreenHeart Travel prioritizes the meaningfulness of exchange as one of its core values. One thing that stood out to me during the pre-departure steps was an activity to write out our goals while on the program to ensure we have a meaningful exchange. While searching for study abroad programs, GreenHeart stood out to me as the program that truly cared about your goals and needs. GreenHeart's team matched me with a host family that shares my active lifestyle and it was a perfect fit! My host sisters and I talk everyday now that I am home, and we are hoping to reconnect on one continent or the other soon! I definitely recommend this program for anyone looking to go abroad!

As someone who had never been outside of my home country before, I was nervous about going to another country for three months. Every worry, doubt, or concern I had went away as soon as I began talking with the staff at Greenheart. Not only did they offer a wealth of information regarding culture shock, the visa application process, and the culture of Thailand, they also gave me the resources and support I needed to feel comfortable and confident about taking the leap and travelling. Greenheart offers an incredible scholarship for first time travelers, and I was lucky enough to be one of the scholarship recipients this past year. Greenheart is dedicated to making sure that every person has the chance to travel, and they truly care about their mission, travel for a change. I had such an incredible experience, both professionally and personally, while interning at Rescue P.A.W.S. in Hua Hin, Thailand. The organizations I was involved with and the people I met in my three months have truly changed my life. Greenheart was there every step of the way, from pre-departure, through my entire internship, and even after I came back to the United States once my program was finished. There was never a question I had that went unanswered or a concern that didn't get fixed. If you are a first time traveler and want to feel confident and supported on your first journey abroad, look no further than Greenheart!

This program was an amazing and experience. It will stay with me for my whole life. I never thought that I would have this chance and I’m so happy that I did. The staff at greenheart travel were very helpful and friendly and answered all of my crazy questions. I felt very safe while I was there and walked all around during my free time. My favorite part about the entire trip was my host family. I could not have been placed in a better family. They matched my personality and took amazing care of me. They were understanding of the difference in our culture. I plan to visit them again someday. The placements were very good as everybody I talked to loved their families as well. The classes were fun and taught me a lot. There was a lot of homework but my host family helped me which was fun. I really loved this program and would gladly go back

You can do this. Go in with a clear mind and have fun. Make friends, put yourself out there and study!! Enjoy your surroundings and remind yourself that home is wherever you are. Take a lot of pictures/ videos as well, so they’ll last forever. Shoot for the stars. Where you are right now, I was exactly in your place. “‘Should I go? What if it’s a scam?’” I was completely wrong and having the bravery, I went and had the best time. I would highly recommend. Thank you for everything Greenheart. You guys make dreams come true and I truly wish I could work for you and make change.

Our son - age 15 - traveled with Greenheart study abroad for the second semester of his sophomore year of high school. He was aboard for 6 months and had the MOST AMAZING experience. While we got to live vicariously thru his photos and phone calls...my husband and I were experiencing an empty nest for the first time and we also learned a lot. So here is some advice for parents sending their children abroad.... Make a list of things YOU want to do while your child is away... my husband and I took dance lessons, had adult only (no children) dinner parties, accomplished house updates, traveled to visit our children who were away at college, visited aging parents, put in extra time a work and started hiking more. Our son's host parents were amazing. Our son was very very detailed in what his likes and interest were when he wrote his bio page for Greenheart. I truly feel that the extra detail and attention allowed Greenheart to hand-select the perfect family for him.

Greenheart Travel allowed me to make my dream of living in France a reality by living with a family and teaching them English for a month. From the moment I committed to the program, the Greenheart staff were so supportive, organized, and welcoming. I highly recommend GT to anyone who wants to travel and experience a country's culture firsthand!

My time in France was absolutely amazing, and my host family was such a good fit for me. I really felt like they were a 2nd family. Thanks to this trip I have made so many new connections, and friends that I will never forget.

Millie had a great experience in Belgium and with Greenheart. She is so glad she spent ten months abroad to study. She enjoyed her time with the family, classmates, soccer teammates and other exchange students. She was thrilled to travel to six additional European countries with family and friends. Her French has improved tremendously and she hopes to double major in college, one being French studies and the other to be determined. She is looking forward to another study abroad experience in college.

Being able to practice Spanish every day with classes and full immersion was perfect to really improve my skills. I loved talking to the locals, ordering food, learning from my teachers, and sharing stories with my host family. It's the ideal learning situation and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to really learn and practice Spanish.

I loved my experience in Puerto Rico and it is something I will never forget. the time did go by quickly with all that I did during our service trip. From visiting old San Juan to hiking through the rain forest, I had a wonderful time. My favorite part of the trip cannot be summed up in one moment. My fondest memory was the bond I was able to experience with other students that made this trip special. Whether it be through our work or daily reflections, we were, in that moment, a collective group with a single goal in mind. There was something about being abroad and having to interact with each other constantly that unified us. We had amazing guides throughout the trip and I enjoyed the work and leisure activities alike. It was a great chance to see the island from a new perspective and gain a better understanding of what it is like. This was an amazing experience.

It really has been a remarkable few months for my daughter, Maris. The host family has accepted her with open, loving arms. They have been very generous and have exposed her to many things and she even travel down to see the grandparents in southern Italy. She’s been skiing in the Alps, going to Venice, going to the opera, making friends in school, playing tennis at school, Speaking Italian. Really quite incredible. I miss her dearly but I know she’s having the time of her life. I don’t really think that she’ll want to come back but she will but probably she’ll return back to Italy sometime because she’s having so much fun. Thanks to Greenheart and the program for giving her this unique opportunity.

Between the 2 programs I've done with Greenheart Travel, I haven't had any problems. It is a very well organized and supportive company. Just be ready for the unexpected. Whether it's a new culture, or something Greenheart travel didn't talk about; there are always unexpected situations when traveling abroad. The best part of using Greenheart was simplicity. Greenheart travel did pretty much everything; I just had to worry about my flight, which was great because it made my experience much better. I didn't need to stress about anything. I felt ready for my program, but I wish I would have known a bit more information about my hostel placement.

I love the freedom this program gives me to really explore my host country. To get to know it intimately and thoroughly. It’s allowed me to broaden my understanding of the world and, in turn, my understanding of human beings. The personal handling you get at greenheart is incomparable. You feel heard when you have issues, and everyone is really trying to see you succeed. That’s why I keep coming back to greenheart (this is my second program with them, I also went to Colombia!). They made me feel a part of something bigger than myself and were so excited for me when I went off for each program. They are like a huge cheering squad watching you take your first steps into a new adventure. Don’t hold too tight to your ideas of what this program will be like. Let life happen and with every wave that comes your way ride it. It will lead you to something even better then you expected. Maybe different, but just as good. I would have loved to have had a focused video about the application for EPIK itself. A lot of great resources with the guide but a visual representation in a video would have been also very helpful.

I did plenty of research about teaching abroad before choosing Greenheart Travel. TEFL certification and placement programs come a dime a dozen now. The difference with Greenheart, though is I felt support from initial contact even up to now almost a year later. The school year has concluded and the memories I've made as a EFL teacher in Thailand I owe much of the smooth transition to Greenheart. I appreciated that my questions were answered promptly and the staff were helpful and professional. Their partner in Asia that actually handles the teacher placement portion on the ground work well with the Greenheart setup. Although I have a masters degree and prior TEFL certification, I chose to add on the optional TEFL course. I highly recommend you so so too! If you've taught in a classroom before, great. But teaching in Thailand, to Thai kids, in a Thai school setting will be very different. The TEFL course not only included a jam-packed orientation week, but the conclusion of the course required a 2-day teaching camp and that was life-changing! Those kids changed my ideas about wanting to be a teacher. Their energy, smiles and warmth oozed through my soul. It's because of the TEFL program that I decided I wanted to continue teaching. Had I just taken my placement after the orientation week and skipped the TEFL course I would've sorely missed bonding experiences with other program mates (some I mad great friends with!), learning valuable techniques to teaching in a Thai classroom, and made transitioning to Thailand life much smoother.

Greenheart was a source of support for me whenever I needed it, which was a great comfort for me as I had never travelled on my own before. They managed to create a program that lets you be very independent while still remaining connected to all of their resources and support systems whenever you needed a hand! Kara was extremely helpful throughout all of my planning and throughout the trip itself, and having her come visit me and meet me on my program was awesome! Having spoken to many people who used different agencies, I can confidently say that I have no regrets about choosing Greenheart and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for this kind of experience - in fact, after talking to others about my Greenheart experience, they were the ones who regretted choosing other program providers! Greenheart is a truly honest company that wants the best for you during your time abroad. It's hard to know which companies to trust when you can find so many online, but Greenheart travel is a company you can feel good about giving your money to. Your Greenheart representative will be there to help you before and during your trip with any concerns or issues you may have. I'm honestly so glad I went with Greenheart, especially after hearing some of the horror stories from others who chose different providers!

Moving abroad on your own can be hectic and overwhelming, but Greenheart really made the process feel seamless. Thank you for all of the support! The game changer for me was the opportunity to take the orientation and TESOL course with other teachers after arriving in Thailand. I knew people in the country immediately and had people to rely on afterward for friendship and teaching resources. This is so valuable when you are alone in a foreign country. Overall excellent program. It would have been useful to know some resources for learning Thai ahead of time or offering an optional pre-departure language class. My advice to people considering this program: try not to set expectations. Be flexible and be ready to be thrown into any situation. Do things that make you uncomfortable. Open your mind and allow the experience to change you.

Follow your gut and if you are scared about committing to this program, that means you’re doing the right thing. I’d say Greenheart is the perfect program to join if you want to meet like-minded people who moved abroad to teach English and travel the world. Through greenheart, I was able to meet a few of my greatest friends. Greenheart couldn’t have prepared me better for coming to teach in Thailand. The amount of communication, webinars, availability was always above and beyond. Orientation in Chiang Mai was amazing, met a lot of great friends through the program. My only complaint is XporeAsia’s lack of communication and transparency.

Kara Menini is awesome. She helped me so much. I felt very confident and prepared going through the process because of her, and she helped me emotionally too (like when I was placed in a province I had never heard of before). Learn Korean ASAP! I wish I had learned it a lot more before I came here.

Greenheart was extremely helpful throughout the entire process. I was in contact with Savannah two months before the program application even opened, and she was able to answer all of my questions (I had a LOT of them) in a very timely manner, even when I was already there in Italy. The only pre-departure feedback I would suggest is creating the connection between the host families and whoever will be living there. I was not able to get in contact with my host family until the day I met them in person, which ended up being totally okay, but it would have been nice to confirm that connection before. It also would have been nice to know what I was going to be teaching before arriving, I taught English, European History, Italian History, US History, Media and Science classes and I wish I had more time to prepare for those areas! I really enjoyed having the freedom to create a cultural project for my older English students: one day we had a fashion show, another day they planned an itinerary for a two week trip to the USA, and we were able to talk about more serious topics such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the prevalence of sexism in the STEM industries. Let yourself be comfortable in the uncomfortable, living in a new country with a new family can be a little strange at first, but it is an incredible opportunity and you will have experiences you could have never dreamed of! Overall, I had an absolutely outstanding experience in Italy. My host family was so wonderful and we are still in contact (we Facetimed on Christmas day!) and the effort Savannah put forth was so helpful. Thank you for making this program so organized and exciting!

My homestay and work abroad experience in Chile was made so incredible because of the family who received me. I felt so safe, at ease, and truly cared for from the very start. Without them and the relationship we created, the adjustment to living in another country would have been much more difficult. Greenhearts travel does a wonderful job of supporting you through every step of the process to make the transition of living in another country as smooth as possible. They have created the perfect balance of being supportive, yet allowing you space to be independent. It was nice to know that they were there for any problems or questions that might have arisen, but the fact that I was still very much kind of “on my own” gave me a wonderful sense of independence and confidence in my own abilities to live in another country.

The staff at Greenheart are very helpful and that Greenheart can be well trusted. I would like to thank all of the staff at Greenheart for helping me through the process, enabling me to study abroad, and most importantly for making my dream possible. The program was very open to a variety of exchange students. Although I never dreamed that I would have been able to study abroad, thanks to Greenheart, I was able to. My advice is to never give up. From the application process to living abroad, everything is a challenge. I’ve learned so much and I have become a better person through my experience abroad. Although one may want to give up, the experience is worth it.

A few years ago I was searching the internet for a way to travel to another country but stay longer than a normal vacation. After weeks of searching I found Green Heart Travel's program to Colombia. I studied history and focused on Latin America so this was instantly my favorite program I'd seen. After applying and going through a few interviews, I was on my way to Colombia within 6 months. For the following 6 months I not only had an amazing time with my students and teachers at my school but also traveled the entire country which included snow and glaciers, beaches, mountains, ancient ruins, urban cities, colonial towns, and lots of beautiful hikes with waterfalls and mountains everywhere. Everywhere I went the people were so friendly and I never felt unsafe at anytime. I would highly recommend taking a chance and traveling to Colombia and would definitely recommend Green Heart Travel for all of their help and organization throughout my time there and even after returning.

In China I had some of the most incredible, emotional and immersive experiences of my life. I climbed the Great wall, investigated the forbidden city, made wonderful lifelong friends and became a part of a family. I came to China via Greenheart having used them already in 2015 to complete a programme in Thailand. Once again, Greenheart were very well organised, pragmatic and supportive throughout the entire process. Greenheart had less involvement in the programme than when I went to the teaching placement in Thailand, as there was no introductory weeks of lessons, activities etc. The family they placed me with were fantastic, they made me feel so welcome and at home, but I was still regularly in contact with Greenheart staff however, who were especially supportive when I was having a tough time in my homestay struggling with cultural difference and homesickness. The lady I spoke to had suggestions, encouragement and liaised with my boss of the company that I was handed over to, in order to help me though my issues and feel more at home in China. By the end I didn't want to leave! I also had an alumni discount for this programme, which is also great as we all know that money can be an issue when you have itchy feet. I would definitely recommend the home-stay programmes as an immersive and humbling experience, however i might suggest going on a paid teaching programme first like I did in order to get to grips with culture shock and first-time working abroad with others in the same boat before going it alone.

I went to Thailand with Greenheart once i had my TEFL qualification, and used their support to get in job in the beautiful city of Ayutthaya. Greenheart were there from the get-go, providing support from the moment you apply with VISA processes etc which was great. Upon landing in Bangkok, I was taken to my hotel and I then spent the next week with other new teachers partaking in wonderful activities such as trips to temples, Rescue Paws dog sanctuary, beach BBQ's, muai thai lessons and visiting an elephant sanctuary and a pineapple farm. I felt 100% supported by greenheart staff to get a teaching job, although flexibility on this front was required on my part as this changed once or twice before it was finalised. as well as emotionally and academically supported for the rest of my time in Thailand. Greenheart were also great at helping with all the boring stuff like getting a SIM card, bank account and of course the jo0b applications themselves! Greenheart helped me find a job in a school and a learning centre. I found that part of my job was, wonderfully organised and gave me a variety of students in terms of age and requirements, however, I had some trouble here with the lack of organisation on the schools part and I felt the curriculum was very unclear. Howveer, throughout all of this I felt i could call upon Greenheart when I encountered these problems. I found the culture, teaching and language lessons provided by Greenheart at the beginning very helpful, as well as the emotional support from the Greenheart staff, who were flawless in their work and I couldn't recommend them highly enough. Because of Greenheart staff, I had a wonderful placement and a perfect place to live, and still keep in touch now with some of the fellow teachers I met there. Working with Greenheart was a fantastic experience, so much so that I decided to use them again in 2018 for a home stay programme. Of course it would be nice if the programme was a little more affordable for everyone, although I did make plenty of money once I was out there. I also got discount for my next programme, which was a homestay in China.

Not a good program at all! Overpriced! Basic needs were not even covered. Greenheart does not follow through with what they tell you they will give you. Felt more like a workaway experience. Was not given 3 meals a day and hot water did not work properly in homestay. None of the money goes to the host families so the organization overcharges volunteers and pockets the money. Organization does not reply to emails in a timely manner and when complaints are brought up, nothing is done about it. Local support is very poor. Very bad experience overall. Felt ripped off. I did not receive "Three home-cooked meals a day for duration of program" that I was supposed to receive for the whole duration of my stay. I definitely did not get the support I needed from the local staff for the $500 they received from me. The least they could have done for me was tell me to book my train ticket earlier before I arrived because I had to pay 100 euro for a train ticket that would normally cost 15-30 euro if I had booked it at least a week in advance. The hot water did not work in the washroom they had given me to use. It would only work for about 10 minutes and then would completely stop. Therefore, I was only able to shower once a week! This should have been checked for the $500 I paid for the "Host family search, screening, and placement process" and the "background check". I also do not understand why I had to pay $100 for the "Comprehensive medical/accident insurance" when all that was done was the registration for this. Moreover, I had my own medical insurance so this should have been optional. I also did not even receive the package that I was supposed to receive via mail from Greenheart.

Last summer, I traveled with Greenheart through their Homestay France program. I loved it and crossed off a bucket list item. I'd wanted to live in France since I was a teenager. After getting married and delving into my career, I still yearned for this dream to come true. I'm thankful that I had this experience --an opportunity become part of someone's family, learn a culture and sharpen my French language skills. Greenheart provided a life-shaping opportunity and it was all masterfully coordinated!

This was the best! I taught middle schoolers in Verbania, Italy for three months and four years later, I think about that time in my life every day. Greenheart transformed how I saw traveling by giving me a purpose in an amazing lakeside community with a terrific homestay family. My host teacher was lovely and spoke English very well. I did not choose where I would go, but was extremely happy with my placement in Verbania. Most of the program participants are placed in Torino, where there is a rich historical culture and nightlife. I was actually a bit closer to Milan, where I went for day trips on a couple of weekends. I am still in touch with a couple of my fellow teachers in the Greenheart program and was so lucky to have made such great friends to travel with while I was in Europe and remain close to long after the program. The orientation before you go to your homestay town or city was very helpful in meeting folks to travel with or even to meet up and explore their temporary home for a bit!

Not only did I gain an amazing teaching experience from this program in my little town of Pettenasco Italy, but I gained another family in the process! My host family were the kindest of people, loving, welcoming, everything I could’ve asked for and more. Living with a host family was a new experience for me; I got to try to foods, visit new places and learn a new language! I still keep in touch with the family and tend to visit in the future.

I did something I never thought I'd be able to do; I moved to Thailand for 6 months! AND I taught high school! I have basically no teaching experience other than being a camp group leader for a church camp and being a teaching assistant in middle school, high school, and college. I graduated with a Biology degree from college and wanted to experience something new before going to PA school. And WOW did I get what I wanted. I'm sitting in my Thai classroom right now typing this review while I watch music videos on the last day of classes. The first month was challenging in itself as I was meeting over 100 people from all over that came to obtain their TESOL certification. I was away from all my comforts and familiarities of home and was surrounded by a new culture and new people. I made the best memories and friends that will last forever. Don't get me wrong, teaching is hard. There were days I wanted to leave. But I am so proud of myself for staying and pushing through the hard days. This has been the most unforgettable and growing experience for me and I don't know how I could've gotten here without the help of Greenheart travel.

Sure, the exchange year changed my life, but without such an amazing company, I don't think my experience would of been as good as it was. When my parents and I were looking at different companies before we left, Greenheart caught our attention. My heart was set on Ireland and Greenheart had the most information of any company we had seen. Even after I had applied to other companies, I knew for sure I wanted to go with Greenheart. My mom and I felt really comfortable being able to ask questions to a real person on the phone, and accessing any information we could need on their beautiful website. When I came back my friends asked me about Greenheart and if they were to exchange, should they choose Greenheart. I was quick to say yes and explain all the reasons why. Having Greenheart on my side during this experience is the reason it changed my life. Thank you Greenheart!

Greenheart travel works with you from the visa preparation up until you're ready for your next adventure. They are very quick with replying to any concerns or questions you have about your program, accommodation, pay etc. I felt Greenheart always have an answer that was honest and accurate. Sarah, my program coordinator was very helpful and patient with me when I would e-mail her frequently with questions. They keep you in the loop with what is going on in their company as well as events and opportunities for Greenheart alumni. I always recommend Greenheart to friends and strangers when they are looking for an adventure similar to mine! I am so lucky to have gone through this company and experienced the year & a half away in Thailand that I did! I will forever cherish my teaching experience abroad.

At first, the TESOL course was only one step before getting to my school but it was an unexpected experience. Everyone working there is so open and friendly that they make you feel part of them in a couple of days. Also, expending time with people going trough the same experience was great, we all bond really quickly and had some amazing time in Hua Hin!

I wasn't originally planning to go to Myanmar but I could not have been happier that I did. Myanmar is a truly special country that will always have a special place in my heart. Greenheart supported me throughout the beginning of the process and made me feel comfortable traveling to a country I didn't know much about. It was also great to have a job and an apartment ready for me when I arrived. As Myanmar was a less popular destination at the time, we had a smaller TESOL group but I really enjoyed this. I made lifelong friends through the Greenheart program and throughout my time in Myanmar. I loved being able to travel around the country, connect with my students and other travelers, and really feel like I was part of a local community. Myanmar is so special and I encourage everyone to travel there!!

It is definitely a bumpy road initially getting settled into so many changes, but Greenheart Travel is incredibly resourceful and supportive through the entire process. From the initial application process all the way into your time abroad. Although you switch over to their associated organization once you're already placed in your host country, Greenheart Travel staff members are so kind and still provide you with the best support that they can. They did that with me every time I ask and would redirect me to the best contact when necessary. I feel safe speaking with them which is SO SO IMPORTANT! If it wasn't for how great they've been in providing information and support, this experience could have turned out a whole lot differently. I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to be out here and to have stumbled upon Greenheart Travel to help me get here!

I took on a 3 month teaching English contract in Myanmar. My placement team was able to arrange my contract and accommodation quite easily. However with a teaching life there is not much time for social activities. These things I have had to find on my own through Facebook, which is quite easy. But I had to learn real quick to jump outside of my comfort zone and be solo and take risks in my social life and be ok being alone. I highly suggest this if you love a challenge and adventure.

I was able to get my TESOL certificate in Hua Hin Thailand from Greenheart Travel with hands on knowledge and experience. The instructor we had was incredible because he prepared us with the worst possible situations we could be thrown into in the future. I feel confident now to travel and teach anywhere in the world thanks to the hands on TESOL course in Thailand.

I would definitely go again. However, when I went I was the only one that volunteered that week so they didn’t take me to any of the excursions, which was a real bummer because we did pay for it. Everything else was okay. I loved it there and I met a lot of nice people. A lot of them didn’t speak English though so it was hard to communicate with them.

I’ve been in South Korea for almost 6 months now. I teach at three different elementary schools, most of which are located in areas I would describe as countryside. And the only foreigner in all three of my schools. I came to Korea not knowing any of the language, and only knowing very little about the culture. But still, on any given day, I’m amazed at the little beauty that I find in the small things, in seeing my students’ progress, in the kindness of a stranger, in my own development of resilience in being able to handle the routine and the challenges with more grace and ease. Kara, my recruiter at Greenheart, is to thank for helping me go on this this journey.

I went to Italy for the teach in a homestay program in March 2018. The application process was very simple and the amount of information before leaving was awesome. I was very prepared when arriving. I loved the freedom of this program the most. I was able to explore Italy in my free time. In country support was plenty also. If you are looking to help out a local family, explore a different country and culture, and having an experience of your life, I recommend this program!!

I moved to Australia when i was 18 fresh out of high school in the USA. Before then, I had never lived abroad anywhere, so I had no idea where to begin. GHT helped me every step on the way. First, they got me a VISA so I could get my dream job at the Sydney SeaLife Aquarium. Then, they helped me every step of the way when it came to finding housing and even making friends. I experienced hardly any culture shock because they gave me certain advice on things like public transportation, good places to visit, etc and I always felt like I had someone on my team. Please give it a try people, it changed my life, and melted away any fears I had of the unknown! ♥️

I had a great experience with Greenheart for my TESOL program in Thailand! I felt very guided throughout the process including Visa paperwork, arrival information, and general support, leading to my arrival in Thailand. They partner with an organization in Thailand called Xploreasia so when we arrived, we earned our TESOL through both organizations. I chose Greenheart Travel because it was the only program I came across that provided the opportunity to do the TESOL course in Thailand, as opposed to online or the US. I am so glad I did this because after a week of cultural orientations, we studied and prepared for the TESOL certification while living in Chiang Mai. This allowed me to already have lived in the country for a month before I began teaching- an experience I couldn't imagine doing differently. It gave me lots of insight into life and expectations in Thailand and I don't think I would have been able to do it without Greenheart! As far as my placement and actual teaching goes, I feel so incredibly lucky to be teaching the students I do. I teach Kindergarten ESL in Trang (the south of Thailand) and am loving every second of it. Controlling all those little munchkins and navigating life in a work environment where most people don't speak English is absolutely challenging, but extremely rewarding. I fully believe that anyone who is motivated to join an organization like this and start a new life abroad can, but it takes a lot. Long days and cross-cultural frustrations are the norm, but I know that once I return home (eventually..) I will be incredibly grateful for all of the experiences I've had. I would 100 percent recommend this life changing opportunity!

I gained so much during my experience with GHT in Spain - I improved my Spanish language skills, learned about the culture and history of Spain, developed lifelong relationships with my host family, and gained a lot of confidence in myself. Living in Spain with a host family helped me learn to be more independent, flexible, and increased my passion for learning about other cultures. Staff from Greenheart Travel were very helpful during the entire process. I even got to meet one of their staff members when she was visiting Spain. I was fairly close to other people participating in the program, and we would often meet up to hang out/travel together. The application process is straightforward and there’s is always someone available to help and answer questions. I definitely recommend this program.

I studied in Spain for 5 weeks during the summer and it changed my life forever. I learned so much Spanish, met incredible friends from all over the world and most importantly gained life experience that will help me forever such as not giving up when I tried something for the first time, learning how to take care of myself since my host mom was pretty much solely an in-home guardian and my teachers solely in-school guardians. I did always feel safe however and knew I could reach an adult at all times if I ever needed to but for the majority of my time I was having to look after myself and keep myself entertained, engaged, and safe which has been immeasurably useful in my everyday life as I no longer feel nervous having to do anything alone. I also learned how to make the most out of every situation and find the silver lining in everything! My trip abroad was the best five weeks of my life. Of course I had my ups and downs (especially when I saw a cockroach for the first time since I live in Alaska and we don’t have any and of course it was in my room), but I learned from every experience and truly believe I became a much better person for it.

Going through Greenheart was an excellent decision! Working with their team was pleasant and stress free. They were very helpful and kind. I had a easy transition into Thailand and got a teaching position easily. I loved living in Thailand. I taught 2nd-5th grade. I was well prepared to teach to the students. I also helped teacher the other local teachers English! One morning I was about to start class and an elephant walked by our school! Love the kids and the people in my small rural town. I recommend Greenheart if you want to travel stress free and be happy!

I taught English in Italy, and it was truly amazing! I was submerged in so much true Italian culture. I learned the Italian language, and I was able to participate in many Italian traditions. I also had the opportunity to travel all around Italy. I was able to visit 19 different cities while I was there. I highly recommend doing this!

I had just graduated college in the states and wasn’t sure what my next move was. I googled marketing internship abroad and found Greenheart. The application process was easy and they answered all of my questions. When I arrived in Thailand I participated in a super fun and educational cultural week with fellow interns and future English teachers. Afterwards, the interns and I began working in the office on various marketing tasks. It’s up to you what you’d like to work on so I chose to improve my blog writing skills, create instagram story highlights, and learn how to make digital media and graphics. I adjusted to life in Thailand pretty quickly especially with a normal working schedule and living among some other expats. I felt like I truly immersed myself in the culture by interning for 12 weeks. I miss it already and would definitely do again!

My experience with this program was amazing! I loved every second of my life in Chile! I loved getting to know my host family, and watch their English improve more and more each day! I loved learning about their culture, and teaching them about mine! I loved getting to see another culture in action (while being completely submersed in it). The bond I formed with my host family during this program is the one thing I will never forget about this experience! My experience with this program changed my view on the world because it made me more aware of the world around me and how many things we take for granted each day (that other people barely even have access to). This experience also helped me strengthen my Spanish skills and my teaching skills; which are two things I now know I definitely want to use in the future. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone just looking to travel and make new friends abroad, while making a difference in such a simple, yet very important, way. Teaching English abroad is one of the best decisions I've ever made!

Greenhearts Travel made the process of moving abroad to teach English simple and easy. I did the TESOL-teach abroad program in Thailand and found the efficient of the before the application process , during the process, and after the process to be on point. The employees work hard to keep you informed every step of the way, and continuously make efforts to stay in touch. Greenhearts Travel makes sure you are connected every step of the way. It was really nice moving abroad with such a supportive company, who are quick to answer questions when they come up. The visa process was simple and easy. Teaching abroad isn't for everyone and Thailand is challenging at times, but I'd highly recommend Greenhearts Travel to anyone interested in teaching abroad. The partnership they have created and built with the company in Thailand, XplorrAsia, is excellent. You have two sets of communities during your time in Thailand, which is helpful once you arrive for visa questions and traveling questions.

I used Greenheart Travel to move, live, and teach abroad in Thailand, after watching a friend successfully go through it. Upon graduating from college with a BS in education, I knew I wanted to teach abroad at some point but I had no idea where to start. I started teaching 4th grade in Virginia while starting to do some research, during which I landed on greenheart travel. From my first interaction with Sara, I knew this program was for me. Greenheart made the entire "scary" process, extremely simple, and made me feel so comfortable in my decision to come abroad. I have LOVED my time teaching and living in Thailand, and I don't plan to leave anytime soon. I am eternally grateful for finding greenheart and helping to make my dreams a reality!

10 out of 10. I think this program provides you with a greater experience than just visiting the country alone. I was placed with a family that made me fall in love with Spain 110%, and I know that visiting solo would’ve been fun but I don’t think they would be as much attachment to a place if you don’t make lifetime friends out of it. The family I was placed with was a perfect fit and I’m so grateful to have met them with the help of this program!

The people in this program will be with you every step of the way to help you and makes the process of going to another country as easy as possible. Be open to differences and to just the learning experience you will have overseas. The best part of applying with this program was how helpful everyone was.

Greenheart will work hand in hand with you to ensure that you have the opportunity to fulfill your visualization into a reality. They will give you the all the right tools within the toolbox to be successful! I loved that this program laid all the information out from start to end. I felt that Greenheart travel was truly honest and dedicated to relay all information consistently! Push yourself outside of your boundaries and then push yourself a little more, stay positive, and remember to smile. Everyone's in this game of life! If I had to give tips for improvement: Time zone awareness/availability for interviews and answering questions or concerns. Continue to update the initial finance information/start up costs once arriving within country of program.

Greenheart will take care of any and all of your questions or needs about your travel abroad experience. They are on top of their game on preparations for any new traveler. When you are leaving home for the first time to travel abroad, as I did, your head is swimming with a copious amount of "what ifs". Will you have everything you need? Will you know where to go? Will you know what to do? Have no fear, you're in good hands! Greenheart and their Thailand support team, XploreAsia, will quickly fill in all the blanks for you. XploreAsia prepares you for the emotional shifts as well as the professional shifts you will experience in your town, and your teachers will begin to feel like buoys you can turn to when the water feels a little too deep. But once you've finished your TESOL and have been put in your placement school, there will be tough days. The training wheels are off, but you will see the most incredible growth within yourself. My advice? Keep your mind open and roll with the punches. It's not always going to go according to your plan, but that is the risk (and adventure) of travel! And if you really don't like something, change it. You're not locked into a specific school, apartment, or city - if it's not for you, find another place. Be true to yourself, and always remember to push your limits. You'll be surprised what you can handle. Trust me, step on that plane. I did, and I'm still here.

I am writing as a parent, since my son, Cameron, is who actually doing the exchange in England. From the get-go, Greenheart was informative, helpful, available--- for each step of the application process, for all of our questions (mine as a mom, my son's, and even the high school counselor here in the states). I was impressed with the extensive questions which were there for our security and protection, as well as for asserting the proper place, home, and school for Cameron. When he and I communicate about his experience there, it's always so interesting and so great to hear the contentedness and maturation in his voice. I cannot thank God enough for this wonderful time not just for Cameron, but for all of us as we vicariously enjoy his stay in the UK. Well done, Greenheart and Allison and Hope, our awesome reps!

I like the network of support and connectedness always available online, and still I feel like I can have the autonomy and independence that allow me to immerse myself with the local people in my country. I especially appreciated the cultural guidebook I received in the mail before leaving. I even still refer to it. I also appreciate the intentional approach of the Greenheart Travel Atlas. The SMART goal I made makes my stay here purposeful and diminishes the lost feeling that naturally comes with moving to a new country surrounded by unknowns. The Facebook group is also a great resource! Be willing to let go of the comfortable routine and mindset that you are used to, and jump into a rich, growthful experience that will fortify your perception of the world and yourself. Greenheart is not absolutely necessary if you have experience living/working abroad and know the right places to go to or already have a network of family and friends in a country. However, it serves the purpose of eliminating a lot of the stress if you don't know much about moving abroad and is worth the price.

I think the pre-departure meeting gave me all the information that I needed to know. I feel like everything was okay, I don't think it needed any changes because if it was different it would be as great as it is. The whole time I was there the people greeted me and didn't treat me different just because I came from another country. Our host families treated us like their own. You have to be prepared for change in cultures. Greenheart Travel has good communication skills with the people traveling and the people who lives in the community. I would really like to go again, it really changed me and brought out the other side of me because I was scared of change. This trip showed me that change is okay and don't be scared because you'll regret if you hadn't done it.

Greenheart is a great program, the staff was very helpful and always answered any questions I had. Allison emailed to check in often. I loved meeting a fellow teacher while abroad. We always had someone to talk to who could understand the difficulties of being in a foreign place, and we had someone to share the excitement and wonder of the world with!

They are completely organized, scheduled, respectful, responsible, experienced, and awesome. Costa Rica is not bad at all everything is fine and different. The whole experience was great. I WILL RECOMmMEND GOING AGAIN DEFINITELY!!!!!!

The people who work with greenheart are very friendly and instead of treating you like a children they treat you as an equal and trust me when you're in another country having someone you trust that knows how to communicate to the natives and you can feel safe and be yourself with them, it's a great type of feeling. Learn how the speaking Spanish just enough to buy things and get around and also download google translate on your phone and bring plenty of money and if you think you have enough, bring more! The program can be improved by leaving the day before the week of staying in another country starts. This is because there is only a week and everyone wants to do and see as much as possible. The only thing that I'd to add to this program is just able to explore in pairs or solo and a longer curfew. The only thing I wished I'd known was what I could and couldn't bring on the plane.

Greenheart has great support and they have many area representatives which ensure a fast response if a problem arises. Don't be shy, talk to everyone, they'll be happy to talk to a new person. My only advice for improvement is: allowing the students to get in contact with the school before departure so they know what to get for uniforms or instructions on how to get a prepaid SIM

I don't have any idea about to improve your program because I just found out about this amazing organization. Thank you for this awesome opportunity! Everything was clear explained to our group (I was the leader). Everything was great but especially, listening everyone's stories.

My daughter’s experience with Greenheart has been wonderfully amazing......starting with the application process, all the way to her experience in Spain! To start, we happen to turn in our application very close to the cutoff date, but Greenheart and our wonderful program director worked super hard to get all our paperwork in order and find the perfect family just in time. The outmost care and detail was put in to make sure that our daughter was placed in a home that was not only safe and loving but also the perfect fit. She is absolutely loving her host family, school, culture and is learning so much! I also want to add how I love how Greenheart listens and understands each student as an individual, and therefore attends to their needs as such. We had looked into several other programs and based on my research AND experience Greenheart is #1 !!!! Thank you Hope and thank you Greenheart! ~Nazanin (Los Angeles, Ca)

Consider how much free time you have with greenheart and that it's difficult to find another way to make money in Europe. Ask people to do things together, ask for recommendations and advice about the area, put yourself out there. I liked picking up the kids from school and walking home, most outdoor activities with them were fun. I would've liked to be connected with people doing the program in my area instead of finding them on Facebook. A list of Spanish classes or other recommended activities also would've been nice. I wish I'd had a contract with the family before arriving about my curfew so I knew what they expected of me.

If you want a team that truly cares and is committed to helping you get the placement you want, go with Greenheart! The team at Greenheart is always there to help you step by step. It was a great experience, super smooth journey. They truly care about you. Kara Menini was awesome to work with. My advice is to make sure you have your documents prepared in advance.

I really liked that we had the ability to choose what we wanted to do sometimes, it gave everyone the responsibility to be aware of where they were and time management. Pay attention to where you are going. Make a mental map your first few days. You really don't want to rely on other people to get you somewhere and you need at least a general sense of direction, it makes a world of difference. Paris: the lessons were very easygoing, many people did not do them at all. Arcachon: Improve communication between adults and students. At times, students did not know what was going on or where different groups were going, or even what group they were in!

I would say to definitely choose Greenheart because it was so great to work with everyone on the team. I would recommend people to go in with an open mind. I really liked how I was submerged into the culture and that I was able to meet different people from all over the world. The program was a bit disorganized at times with no solid direction or leaderships. I think that more information about the school would have improved my experience.

It was the best experience in my life. Always do the scary things because you won't look back with regret. Live, explore, and see the world. You can do it, just take the first step. Don't worry things will be fine. You have enough support to help you. Plus, locals love helping and sharing their culture. It was all easy and doesn't need improvements! Steps were outlined and no issues with paperwork or visas. Oh, and Sara rocks! She'll make the process easy.

This was my third time using greenheart because they are a great company. My favorite part was living in a city and a whole new environment. My advice to future teachers is to find volunteer work or something outside of the house to keep busy.

Greenheart does exactly what they promise. Advice: You don't have to accept the first accommodation in your placement that you are offered, you can shop around yourself with different agents/locations.

The summer program was beyond amazing! I was able to experience a new culture, make new friends, and on top of that teach in a wonderful school. I felt prepared going into my placement and was super lucky to get to stay with my orientation group for the length of my stay in Thailand. Teaching at an international school was definitely not what I had in mind when I pictured going to Thailand, but my time there was great! I LOVED my school, my kids, and the people I worked with. My small group from orientation had a blast traveling together and making new friends during our stay!

Greenheart made the process easy and supported me the entire time! I loved getting to meet the partner program staff in Granada. The thing that I liked the best though was connecting with my host family and seeing the city with them. Talk to your host family a few times before going and don't be too nervous - it's amazing! Plan events with other people living abroad if they are in the same area.

Once in a lifetime opportunity. It is absolutely impossible to choose just one favorite memory but I’d say my top 2 were biking around Dunkerque and playing in the sand by a WWII bunker with one of my French brothers and when we all hiked along cliffs by Cap Blanc-Nez and swam in the sea! It was my first time completely submerged in water and it was just magical. But the one thing I’m really truly grateful for is really feeling like I made lifetime friends-my French family really feels like my family! It was the perfect way to experience France-by actually living the French way. Thank you so much for your support, Greenheart and Allison Yates! I really, really appreciated having you as an advisor-you’re the best!

Clear your mind of all preconceived ideas of what living and working abroad will be like. This will set you up to have an extraordinary experience. Walk into the experience thinking you know nothing about the human behavior and start from square one with this new culture. Soak up every moment and allow it to change your view of the world. The best part of the program was the chance to meet like minded people with a greater view of the world. Most importantly for Greenheart it is important for you to have consistent contact with Xplore Asia to make sure what is being communicated to participants is accurate.

It's going to be an amazing experience of your highest ups and lowest downs, but will end up stronger in the end. Savannah was great with pre-departure support and helping me through the process. I wish I would have known a Thai work environment is completely different and operates not like a western culture environment. I enjoyed being able to travel to some awesome places on weekends. I had a great experience with Greenheart Travel and truly believe their other programs are great. I really have no regrets as I have learned to overcome endless challenges. However, for the happiness of future candidates, please do not send any trainees to Maikhao Dream Hotel & Resorts. The company is on its downfall and truly does not care about any of their employees well-being. I would recommend some sort of screening process for hotels before they are allowed to receive any trainees. Try to list more costs that are not included in program fee, like embassy visit, arrival hotel fees, and the first visa (so participants aren't upset when they have to pay). I know it's a new program, but as more students enroll, try to get a feel for which hotels/locations will treat well and others that are completely disorganized. My advice if you're thinking about doing this program: Intensely research the location of placement and hotel to ensure that the company is not in disarray. Look at your priorities (social life, nightlife, landscape,) and try to find the best fit. Do not just accept any offer, make sure the hotel is well-rated and the management has time for you. There are tons of hotels that should not be hiring international trainees until they fix larger problems. Also, make it very transparent that you would like to work in a specific department or position, as many trainees were placed outside what they wanted.

Everything was very clear and the personelle was nice. The cultural activities they offered us were fun. When visiting another country, I would advice anyone to learn some basic phrases to make it easier for them to adjust. I personally would have liked if I was located a bit closer to the school since I had to walk 35 minutes everyday to school and to the activities.

If you're looking for the most bang for your buck and a good host family you have to go with Greenheart. I did LOTS of research before doing a homestay and this company was by far the best and cheapest. My favorite part of this program was how much I bonded with my host family. DO LOTS OF RESEARCH! You literally can't be too prepared. On the other hand it's impossible to predict everything you'll need to prepare for so you have to be flexible and able to problem solve (you'll basically be forced to multiple times during your trip!) The only thing I wish I would have done is made sure the person picking me up at the airport knew which terminal I was landing in! i had no cell service and had no way of contacting them so that was kind of a nightmare haha. Also, maybe letting the traveler rest a day before doing orientation in country. I was so exhausted after my flight I couldn't focus when the host family company was trying to look over contracts and stuff with me! (I don't even know if greenheart has control over this but thought i'd mention it)

I have had nothing but positive and comforting experiences with Greenheart. Sara Thacker is a goddess. She is genuine and helpful, feels like she really wants you to succeed, and will talk you through anything and always get back to you immediately. Going through Greenheart made this crazy adventure feel "legitimate" (to both me and my worrywart father). They provided accountability and a safety net, and I would read the blog religiously soaking up every nugget I could to prepare and try to envision what lay ahead of me. Beyond the actual experience of teaching and living this wild new life and contributing to a new community, I was thrilled and grateful to have such a strong and supportive community of fellow program attendees with whom to share it all. These are some of my favorite people I've met here, they've pushed and inspired me, and provided invaluable friendship and opportunities to explore new places together. The orientation and TESOL training was one of the best months of my life! I can't imagine teaching here without having done the course, growing my confidence as a teacher, and meeting people who made the tough stuff feel worthwhile. I know it's very situation-specific for each participant, but I do think budgeting could have been explained a little better. I didn't expect to have to put up quite so much money upfront and not get paid for so long (my teaching contract didn't start until 2 weeks after my TESOL training ended, I didn't get paid until the end of the month, and my agent took part of my first paycheck as a deposit.)

Be open to everything! Really do as the Romans do and say yes to every opportunity. Be open to everything! Really do as the Romans do and say yes to every opportunity. I do think there needs to be more of an education on what the program fee is for. Also, A LOT more information on how Italian school systems work compared to ours. I wasn’t sure if I was expected to grade and how, the teachers changing classes, and just different little things about the Italian school system that would have been nice to know before beginning.

I would like to thank Greenheart for such a rich, meaningful experience. I can't even put into words how special my trip was. I have not stopped talking about it at home with my friends and family. It is a different form of education. When you are fully immersed into a different culture and way of life you really see what your weaknesses and strengths are. If you don't push yourself out of your comfort zone you are not growing as an individual. I was nervous as a woman going alone and traveling to a different country, however the end result was immeasurable feelings of satisfaction, happiness, knowledge, confidence, and love. I felt very prepared for the program and my stay in Spain. I felt very accounted for. Do as much research as possible before choosing a country. From there on out I would say to be open to any experience and location you are placed in. I am a city girl and was placed in a rural area of Spain that I didn't know existed. I have a whole new appreciation and knowledge of true Spanish culture now. I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life, and that is something that could never be replaced. I was honestly very impressed with the process of the program. There isn't one thing I would have changed. I understand that I was generally very lucky with the family I was placed with and everyone has a different experience, so it is a gamble in that sense. However Greenheart has delegated wonderful candidates for host families I am certain. I loved that my family treated me as their daughter from start to end of the program.

Greenhearts response rate is unprecedentedly quick. This is my second time going through Greenheart (I taught in Colombia first) and I may go again. Even if there are cheaper programs, you're paying for peace of mind that everything will be taken care of plus an amazing network of teachers and volunteers. There's truly no equal comparison with those factors in mind. All Greenheart staff are informative and extremely kind hearted. While there are hundreds of us going through the same challenges abroad, I imagine the questions and complaints from us teachers can turn mundane to Sara and the other Greenheart staff. However, I have never once gotten the impression that they are fed up or disinterested or anything rather than attentive and caring to all of my needs. Simply put, the staff is the best.

Say yes. Get out there. What ever is holding you back will still be here when you get back. The best part of this program was encountering people that have become lifelong friends. If I had to give feedback for how to improve: provide more info on size allotments for luggage abroad. They are different than American weight and size limits.

Greenheart is an ethical agency who reply in a timely and friendly fashion. They are respected within the industry and they know their stuff in regards to visas! Greenheart does their homework on living conditions in Thailand, and most certainly on pre-departure paperwork preparation! I loved the relaxed, friendly, and comfortable learning environment created by Greenheart. Have an open mind, a yearning for cultural knowledge, and a big smile!

I would not trade my time abroad for anything else! Greenheart did a lot to ensure that my trip was as memorable as possible, and I felt very cared for the entire time. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! I will never forget it, and will definitely be back for more! If someone was on the fence about whether or not to choose Greenheart Travel, I would assure them that Greenheart does they're best to ensure the comfort and safety of each traveler, before, during, and after the trip. I would tell them about all the different travel opportunities, and the fact that Greenheart does a lot to help the environment as well, through volunteer programs, and covering up carbon footprints. They also have very reasonable prices for almost every program they offer. In short - Greenheart is simply wonderful and everyone should use this program to travel, study, or work abroad.

Get rid of all preconceptions, biases and, most importantly, expectations. Be patient and be radically open minded. Also; have faith in the process and in yourself that you can adjust much more than you think. It is logical to shop around and once you've done so, you will clearly see that Greenheart offers the best program, and from my personal experience, I've had nothing but great success. My experience was great, but remember that some things will take time and to plan accordingly. My favorite part has been the ease of being able to go from 1 program (in Vietnam) to another (currently now teaching English in Myanmar)!

Greenheart is a good program because they work with reputable local partners. I really liked the mission of Experiment Chile and was impressed by the support I had in country. Orientation went above and beyond with preparing us to teach. My local contact in La Ligua, Sebastian, with experiment was awesome at mentoring me for teaching and supporting me when I got sick. Anyone should be excited to join the program and be part of a special exchange experience. I believe the students at the school benefitted from me being there, not only from me assisting with English, but having the opportunity to be around someone from a different country. Living in a small town I realized that there were not a lot of foreign people that could spend an extended period of time there so I think this exchange was good for opening minds. Opening my mind more than anyone else. I'm grateful for all of the people I met in La Ligua who showed me around and shared their everyday life with me, as well as my host family who treated me like family. I think that orientation could have been extending a couple days. It seemed like we rushed through a lot of important information and I really benefitted from the Spanish lessons beforehand. I could a used a couple more lessons! Overall I think the orientation was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it a lot! I wish I would have known my placement city and info more beforehand. I was afraid that I wouldn't be placed because I didn't learn about my placement until about 1 week before departing after some weeks of waiting. Then I had to rush to prepare for everything, like gifts for the family and what kind of clothing to pack.

Greenheart was well organized and Sara answered any and ALL questions we had before we left so we felt comfortable and confident about leaving. Be open minded, flexible and try not to have too many expectations going in. My only advice for improvement is to create ONE list for packing & pre-departure materials.

Go for it, take advantage of every opportunity given to you and put in your all; it will be incredibly rewarding. You'll get to learn about not only a different culture, but about a different side of yourself. I loved my host family and making new friends. You only have a limited time abroad, so leave you comfort zone behind and get to know people as quickly as you can to enjoy the time that you have.

The best part of this program was my students/schools I worked in. Suggestions for improvement: Better hostel for orientation, place volunteers closer to city or make the city accessible easier (placements near train stations). Teachers: Bring an umbrella!

Greenheart is a great way to get a taste for a longer term program working or living abroad. Be open to any and every opportunity. Yes should be your favorite word. I really gained a sense of independence.

I would recommend this program to anyone! I feel that communication was good before and during the program, which eased all of my stress and worries. I would advise all new participants to go into the program with an open mind and be prepared for culture shock. Going into it, I was certain that I did not want to be in a big city, but also did not want to be in a super rural. You can imagine my surprise when I ended up in an extremely small town, without a flushing toilet or ANY English speakers. I would consider myself well traveled and after studying abroad in Spain I thought I knew what to expect with the culture shock, however what I didn't realize was how hard it would hit me. Everything is VERY different in Asia - not bad, but different, and it definitely takes some getting used to. I grew to love my town, but it took time. Things were not always easy, but they were definitely worth it. I think an open mind is the key - and remembering that you may not always get exactly what you want, but you always will get exactly what you need. I don't feel as though the provided budgeting tips were accurate and I found that I spent way more than anticipated before my first pay check. I think the budget provided is accurate if you are spending like a Thai person, however as westerners, we naturally have western spending habits. For example, I was not eating 30 baht Thai food for every meal and therefore, I ended up spending way more than I thought I would - especially in that first month during the TESOL course.

The whole experience was amazing! I feel so lucky to have been placed with a family who shared so many of my interests. I was able to connect with each member of the family over different things and really feel like I left Sicily having formed a lifelong friendship with the entire family. I also was fortunate to have a good balance of family time and free time during the week to explore Siracusa and the surrounding towns/beaches on my own. Thank you to Greenheart Travel for all that you did to make this experience possible for me!

I had a fabulous time with my Homestay family in France. I achieved my dual goals of becoming immersed in daily French life while working on language skills — French for me and English for my host Nadine. We were so active that the days just flew by. And it’s worth noting that both Nadine and I were 68 years old during my Homestay time in France. There is no age limit on participating in a fine program such as this one.

I highly recommend the Greenheart Teen Language Summer Program in Salamanca, Spain. I attended as part of the 6 week program. It was amazing. It was very difficult at first adjusting to listening and speaking Spanish all the time. Once I adjusted it then became amazing. The teacher are wonderful and make learning fun. The town is so beautiful, easy to walk and so friendly. I learned more in only 3 weeks than I did in 2 years taking Spanish in the States. It is an experience I won’t forget. I am already planning to go back next summer ...

The entire experience will change your life. If you are debating about going, don't...Just go! The teaching. The language. The food. The culture. The country. The spirituality. Most importantly, the people. Thai people are taught to welcome strangers and treat foreigners with the utmost care. English instructors are extremely respected and valued. Greenheart Travel knows what they are doing when they send you abroad. XploreAsia is a fantastic partner on the ground in Thailand. I couldn't have been happier with all the step-by-step processes and support to start and complete this program. You will have your own unique and rewarding experience. You will learn so much about yourself and the world around you. You will become a better educator and more culturally adaptable. You will awaken. For me, it was the most life-changing spiritual experience. You will never regret this journey and that is Greenheart Alumni promise. Just, GO!

I felt very safe with Greenheart and that was very important to me. I knew who I would be able to contact every step of the way and I was happy to have that security. The best part of this program was definitely meeting the amazing host family and living with them! I didn't find anything wrong with this program.

You should join this program because it is cheaper then most programs regarding all the things you get. The best part was how helpful everyone was. Don't be scared to ask for help. I just wish I knew a little more of what to do in the airport.

I chose Greenheart because of the great reviews, wide range of programs they offer, and the amount of information they provide on their website. I like the people in the program. My TESOL course was small, so we got pretty close, and we have supported each other through this experience. It is also great that Greenheart has a Facebook group specific to Thailand where previous, current, and new teachers can communicate with one another. Greenheart provided me with all of the needed pre-departure support and materials I needed. Come with an open mind and don't overpack! I didn't like the rush I felt during the TESOL course. There was barely any downtime during the 2.5 weeks, and then I was suddenly bussed to my current placement. I would have appreciated a bit more time to go through the course.

Greenheart was very helpful and informative and i didn't have any problems with them while abroad. My favorite part of the program was that i got to learn all about the culture of Quebec. Make sure your prepared but don't overthink your before you leave. the program could be improved by a little more communication while abroad i was only gone for a week but if i were gone for more than that i would have been a little worried about lack of contact. I also wish they had told me the fact that i was going to Quebec the hottest week of the year.

Thank you so much. The organization of the staff made it incredibly easy to make this decision and made getting to Thailand seemless. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Incredibly organized! My advice for anyone considering this program is just to ask as many questions as you can.

Do it! Stop thinking about all the logistics and just sign up. It's life changing and scary but trust that things are the way they are supposed to be and you will have an incredible time. Greenheart has provided me the personal support and guidance that friends who came through other programs have not experienced. I STILL keep in touch with Greenheart staff and love being apart of the Facebook group. It challenged me personally in ways that I had never experienced before. I had all of the support that I needed through Greenheart, but never felt as if my hand was being held during the process. Visa information can be streamlined and updated. A little more upfront information about the actual costs of settling down. Work permits (and everything that goes with it) is expensive, I also had to pay 2 months rent when I signed my lease in Thailand so a break down of that would have been great.

I recently spent two weeks volunteering with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society and it has been one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had. I’ve loved seeing elephants, volunteering with the program, and meeting such amazing people. Before traveling halfway across the world alone, I didn’t really realize how alone I would feel. Traveling alone also showed me that I am more capable of doing things on my own than I first thought. Having to travel without a group forced me to become more independent and I was able to learn to solve problems by myself. At first I found it difficult to adjust to living with a bunch of other young adults in an open air Fieldhouse. Once I was able to immerse myself in the projects and get to know the people I was surrounded by, the Fieldhouse felt a lot more like a family. Through lots of card games, shared interests, long truck rides, communal meals, and working together I was able to make some very good friends. Volunteering with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society has been one of the best things that I’ve ever gotten to do. Each morning we wake up in the open air Fieldhouse and have breakfast. Then, we split up to do different projects like checking camera and sand traps, monitoring elephant fences, gardening and helping farmers, analyzing dung, and looking for footprints. During the hottest part of the day we have lunch, enter data to the computer, and have a nice break. In the late afternoon we go to different locations like tree huts or lakesides to watch for elephants and record information about them. You don’t always get to see an elephant, but when you do it's really special. The evenings are filled with fun, everyone talks about the day, eats dinner, and plays a lot of card games. The people of Sri Lanka are incredibly friendly, driving down any road you’re bound to see people out and about, smiling and laughing with one another. Everyone greets each other with a smile and wave, and everyday that we drive by a school tons of small children come rushing outside just to wave at the land rovers driving by. The local people are also very welcoming of any projects the organization is working on and they are extremely generous to all of the volunteers. After projects we would be invited in to the house for biscuits, fruit, and sweet tea. It was as so meaningful to get to meet all these people and be privileged enough to be invited to their homes. Getting to travel to Sri Lanka to volunteer with elephants at the age of 16 is such a crazy experience. It’s one of the hardest things that I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. Life at the Fieldhouse was amazing, it definitely felt like a different type of family. This experience has changed me and taught me a lot about myself and the world around me.

Expect nothing and appreciate everything. Don’t go in with expectations whether it’s thinking you’re going to see a place like it looks on Google or assuming what your host family will be like. Everything on Google images is photoshopped. And every host family is different. My host family was far from the stereotypical “Italian family”. It was the perfect amount of time (3 months). I was really able to submerge in Italian culture without missing my own family too much! The only thing I wish I had known would be more info on the dress code of what to wear while teaching.

I would 100% suggest Greenheart because it is an organization dedicated to help people across the world. I would encourage everyone to learn more about the program and see if it is a good fit for them. It is a choice that has made me a better person. I liked that it was a homestay and I was living with the family. More information about the English needs/wants of the host family would be helpful. Megan at Greenheart was great! I thought Greenheart was very supportive. I wish I had inquired more about where I would be and how transportation worked in the area where I lived.

Take a chance and do it! It will enhance your life and your relationships! Try to practice your use of the language before you go. Be prepared to be flexible. Be open to different ways of life! In my particular case, I feel that an intermediate level of Italian Language would have been helpful. I had a fantastic experience and would recommend the experience to anybody!

Greenheart Travel are very supportive and if you have any questions they can happily help you, they will support you all the way. I’m very happy and pleased with the knowledge I was given before my departure. My host family was everything I could ask for and more.

I would recommend Greenheart travel based on my wonderful experience with it. I liked the diversity of students and how we interacted sharing our love for Japan's language and culture. Don't be shy to try to talk to people and make new friends. My only advice for improving the program is there should be more activities after/before classes to really help to improve the Japanese of who are willing to learn.

I looked into more than a few programs before deciding to do this one. This is one of most affordable programs that I could find because others often cost a few thousand dollars and that's with no health insurance and no plane ticket included. I liked the work to life balance that this program provides. I filled my nights though with private lessons so I was busy a lot on Mon-Fri. But that was of my own personal choice and not a requirement of the program. It was not doing those lessons I am sure I would have a lot more free time. I would highly recommend the homestay experience. It cuts down dramatically on your costs, and you get to learn more about the culture you are living in by experiencing real food from that country (from a native (s)) and from experiencing real family dynamics in the country. My pre-departure support was great and able to answer all of the questions i asked her. It's great to teach and go with non-profits because they genuinely care more about the work and the people in my experience. This is the third non-profit in my third country that I have taught with just because different organizations go to different places and do different things. Have an open mind when experiencing things; when you travel to new countries things are different than your own and you have to learn to process that. Good communication is key because it allows you get what you need and have a good relationship with your host family. If you just bottle up your frustrations it gets you no where angry and upset. Remember that this is not America (or your home country), and do what you can to allow yourself to experience the country for what it is and not what you thought or wanted it to be. Listen to anyone trying to help you/ be open to now things/ advice. Prepare as much as you can beforehand by researching about the country you are going to, thinking and packing about what you need in that country, and if possible think about some basic phrases you might need that are not on green-hearts list that I more personal to your personality. Try to learn as much Italian as you can even if its just a few things like hello and excuse me. I really liked my host family and being in the same house as children without actually having to be responsible for them. My host mom was great in taking care of me as well (occasionally with things I needed help with). I liked practicing my Italian as well; I signed up for a local Italian school and I would sometimes practice with natives. I loved when students would actually listen to me, and when I some some have aha moments. I liked the time I spent out of the classroom with people from the school. I liked that I got to practice my English teaching skills with my TEFL certificate. I liked learning more about Italy and the culture by actually experiencing things. Savannah was great, but I had things a bit rough with the in-country support. Perhaps suggesting that people should think more about possible delays or a good layover amount of time before booking the ticket. I didn't as much as I should have, and I was so sad to miss most of my first day of orientation wihtout my luggage. It was not a good day. To perhaps remind people to check the airports regulations, and to add a handheld bag scale to your packing list. I was having issues at the airport due to some packing issues even though I have packed for a few different trips. I also had issues with my host families scale and I did not want to break there scale like I broke my actual moms scale in america. To let people know that the weight limit is 23 kg for international travel and 20 for domestic in an airport. I would also advise people to be flexible with different airports in different countries and maybe learn if there are any differences between policies. with my layover in spain they almost tried to confiscate some of my liquids in my carry on because they thought I had too many while in America they let them through. It would have been nice to know what my host family and school coordinator looked like. When I showed up for the event in Turin to leave with our host families i had no idea who to go with because I did not know what anyone looked like. I am grateful my host mom knew what I looked like. It was just a little awkward when my host mom called me over, but I no idea if it was my host mom or not. It would have also been nice to get the info about my host families sooner than one week ahead of time. It would have been nice to have had a short description about why this family wanted to host me. I would have also liked my Italy book so that I could have a reasonable amount of time to finish it before the Italy trip. I think I got it a few days before my trip start date. It would have been nice to no that my school coordinator would not even be at the school for the first month.

This was truly the greatest experience of my life, and I cannot thank Greenheart enough for making it possible! English lessons with the kids in my host family were good, and I think if they continue, they can become fluent. My favorite part of the entire experience was the sense of fostering a connection between people who I never thought I would be interacting with. I remember on my weekend trip to Amsterdam, just sitting by the water and having a conversation with a local. That sense of real, authentic conversation was incredible. I can’t believe it is over, but I certainly have a new love and appreciation for different cultures and am missing Europe already!

I would definitely recommend Greenheart to anyone who wants to travel abroad. I would say they have great information and are VERY organized with the study abroad. They have resources before for you and make sure you are as prepared as you can be before the study. They are a great program choice for your study abroad. One thing I remembered I would always get excited about, before my study abroad, was receiving an email from someone from Greenheart travel. (usually, Hope Pavich.) Greenheart would email me a lot and keep me updated with my study abroad. I, also, enjoyed reading the blogs about other peoples experiences. These blogs gave me a view from their life abroad and made me very excited to see how my life would be. These blogs also encouraged me to write my own blog about my adventure. Not only did it update my family and friends back home, my friends and classmates in Spain loved reading it to see how my life had changed and how it was different from my life in the USA. About my time abroad itself, I loved experiencing a new culture, making great friends, and learning a new language. One thing that I would improve would be having the coordinator in Spain speak English. My coordinator was very sweet and helpful but only spoke Spanish. Although I didn't have any problems with my host family or other things that I would have contacted her with, I felt as though if I did need something, because my Spanish is not fluent (although I learned very much from my time abroad) I would have liked her to speak English so she would fully understand the situation and I would fully understand her. Again she was very sweet and I'm sure very helpful but if I would have encountered a problem I would have liked her to speak English. My advice is to have an open mind and to be open to new experiences. Expect things not to always go your way. With a different culture, there are different ways of doing and handling situations. I would add I loved the Green Heart staff, especially Hope Pavich! Hope was always there to help with ALL of my questions and my parents questions before and during my study abroad. My mom and I really enjoyed emailing her (and meeting her before my adventure) and loved her bubbly personality.

It’s incredible that a month went by both so quickly and so slowly. I experienced so many new foods, customs, and languages than I ever have in my life. I loved how much my stay was focused on language as well! I definitely was able to improve my Spanish as well as learn more about my mother language of English. This was so exciting and enriching for me as well- langauges are so cool! On top of that, I met and heard people who spoke many different languages, and that was such a unique and awe-inspiring experience in itself. The views of the Mediterranean Sea, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the rest of the scenery (hills, tightly-packed, white Andalusian cities, palm trees, etc) was breath-taking. It was unreal that that is where I stayed for a month! My gosh!

I had a great experience with Greenheart. Someone was almost always available to talk to and I always had too many questions and they were nothing, but patient and helpful. I really don't think I could have done this on my own, personally I'm forgetful and I'm so thankful that greenheart was there to check that I had everything I needed: all the necessary documents and everything filled out properly, etc. If you live in or near Chicago that's a great bonus really since the office is there and you can go in and talk in person if you ask nicely (again, I had sooooo many questions). The team is just really welcoming and understanding and so helpful. I don't think I would have made it here without them and I'm very thankful! (even if I don't answer emails like I should, it's not you, it's me...I'm that person with 2,000 unread messages, sorry!) Be ready to adapt and change. I know some people here that are not as open to new things and change and learning to accept or at least tolerate the culture. As harsh as it sounds, if you're not ready to be flexible and adaptable and open then maybe this sort of program is not for you. If you are ready though, be prepared for a long and anxious process with a lot of waiting, but a great reward if you are accepted! Not everything about the application process and actually living in a foreign country is easy, but I think it's worth it. (Also, if you think you know enough Korean before you come...just study up again...make sure that you won't be totally lost walking into a grocery store or else buying food becomes a real challenge haha).

Be open minded and better yet, be prepared for the unexpected. Also go to your exchange country with an open mind. If you have a ton of expectations, you might find yourself disappointed when you realize that the country you now live in, or your host family aren't how you imagine them to be. As far as I know, I don't believe there is any need for improvement. Thank you for allowing me to have this amazing experience. I learned so much about myself and Japan, the country I love! Thanks again!

I think of all the programs i looked into, Greenheart provided the most opportunity to gain experience and to make a difference at the same time! I loved my host family. They were beyond caring for me and made me feel part of their family. It's safe to say that I'll have a family and home waiting for me should i ever go back to visit! Also exploring the local history and culture! Every where I went there was something to be learned! BREATH! Take every moment as it comes. Things won't always go exactly how you expect it to! It's part of the adventure and the sooner you embrace it, the more rewarding your exchange will be! I think one of the greatest strengths of Greenheart Travel is how involved and supportive the organization is throughout the process both before and during. I didn't have as much teaching opportunity within the host home as I was led to think i would have. I did have some, but it felt a little misleading.

There is no other program as widely acclaimed or as reputable as Greenheart (in my opinion anyway). You know you are going to be taken care of, and you know no shady things are going to happen under the Greenheart name. I loved the fact that Greenheart programs allow you to ease into the cultural experience. For me, the biggest fear I had before traveling for long periods of time was the chance of really bad and immediate culture shock. With these programs, that fear has been taken away because you are with a whole group of people (usually from your home country) that are experiencing the same things as you at the same time. It really makes all the difference! Be open to anything and everything! Don't sit at home and Netflix in your first month, and that in itself will guarantee you make loads of friends abroad :)

I enjoyed living with a Chinese family and picking up their culture and lifestyle on such an intimate level. It was a wonderful way to feel comfortable in Beijing and get introduced to areas I may not have ever gotten to see before. For the China Homestay, I would more strongly enforce participants getting a WeChat in advance and communicating that way. I was a little behind in my understanding. I wish I'd know that most Chinese pay for things off their phone, not cash. I wish I'd brought more than just one game to play with my students since his English level was higher than expected. Besides spotty Skype messaging with my host family beforehand, I never had a chance to video chat with them and get to know them pre-departure. If the desire is there to travel and explore a new culture, do not let any fear of the unknown hold you back. Take the plunge, conquer that fear, and create memories and enlightenment that will last a lifetime!

Greenheart Travel gives a bunch of pre departure materials that help you prepare yourself for what's coming next and if you have any questions they respond to emails fairly quickly. My advice if you do this program is to stay calm. It'll all be okay. Also say yes to anything your host family asks if you wanna do. You'll get more out of your experience. My only suggestion is making how to call that country from the US part of the information you give.

Greenheart is really attentive to your needs and are always super fast to answer and communicate with you and your questions. They're also super nice! This will be one of the best choices you could ever make. Live in each moment you're there and try your best to absorb as much knowledge as you can. I loved my teachers and the language learning in general. I also liked the excursions and being able to see as much of the country as possible.

Going abroad was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned so much about other cultures and people and also broadened my own mind. I'm glad I was able to have this opportunity and hope other students in the future take the chance to study abroad as well. Be open to new experiences and don't be afraid of what is different. I loved being able to meet people from around the world and get to talk with them about their lives and cultures. It would have been nice to maybe talk to some other exchange students leaving at the same time I was. Or to be able to talk to more alumni would have been helpful. I think there could be a little more communication and activities for students before the departure. Maybe you can put students going to the same country in contact with each other or something similar.

My host families were the best part of the program! They absolutely amazing! Bonded forever! The students made my working days amazing... Never a Dull moment!! As far as suggestions for improvement go - I didn't find out about my placement until about a week before I left which was a little concerning. Also, I wish someone had told me breakfast was only cookies and coffee/milk.... I was hungry all the time the first few weeks

Not only does this program provide a lot of pre-departure support, it also helps people understand how to plan a trip abroad. Greenheart Travel gives you all the support you need to plan your next trip abroad without making the major decisions for you, and I really liked this aspect of the program because it gives the traveler more freedom. Being able to live with a host-family in the country was great because it immersed me into the culture and language as soon as I arrived. This also helped me learn more about the culture and language because the host-family environment was a comfortable environment to ask questions about the culture and language. Really get to know and spend time with your host-family (do things with them, ask them what they can show you and teach you about the culture and language). And, stay in contact with them when you leave.

The customer service and support are extremely personable and approachable. You feel like you're really being taken care of. Nothing can beat that. I liked how easy it was to correspond with my Greenheart Travel adviser Kara. She was incredibly helpful when I was trying to gather all the materials necessary for departure in a timely manner. She always made it seem as though she was available at any time. That really helped to quell my pre-departure nerves. In the future, maybe mention some helpful translator apps or apps for learning a new language. For example, papago is an incredible translator app made specifically for Korean translation. For those doing this program my advice is to journal about your experience. It will really help to both record all the wonderful life events you experience and talk yourself through all of the doubts or worries you have.

Everything about my program was amazing. It's hard to choose a favorite part, but if I had to I think building new relationships with the people in my host country would be it. Now I have family and friends in Japan too and I love them to death. The people at Greenheart are so kind and it seems like they really do care about their program participants. My program coordinator Hope was always willing to answer any questions we had and was super helpful. I think the program was fantastic, but Greenheart and JFIE (partner org in Japan) sometimes were not on the same page about my exchange so It was a little confusing at times. The pre-departure support was really good, but I would've liked to have been able to talk to an alumni from my program before I went. I think it would have calmed more of my fears. My advice is to just do it, and don't worry about how people will think of you there or what it's like because you really won't know till you get there.

Go for it! Don't count on anyone else to make your experience great. YOU are in charge of your actions, so you should do as much as you can to enjoy your program! Also, don't have unreasonable expectations. You will have the adventure of a lifetime, so stay positive even if things aren't going exactly as you had imagined. I'm happy to share my blog post with anyone who is interested. I have a lot of my opinions and experiences documented there. Thank you, Greenheart! :)

My overall semester exchange program in Finland was excellent. For me, I found my experience was vastly enriched by my ability to speak the language (Finnish) from day one of my exchange. Although my level of the language was then still rudimentary, getting a head start by being able to make ask basic questions and have conversations helped me make friends, connect better, and improve faster. I loved our local coordinator in Finland, as they did a fantastic job of organizing the exchange while helping me meet other local exchange students. If you are thinking of doing this program, my advice is to learn the local language by speaking and surrounding yourself in it! It doesn’t matter if you make lots of mistakes. It will probably seem scary at first to speak in a language you don’t fully understand, but that is the only way to guarantee you won’t fail to improve!

Greenheart was so great! I wouldn't want to experience this with any other organization. Greenheart gave me a sense of freedom that other programs were sort of strict on. I felt as if, as long as I kept up on my work, I was free to explore and learn my surroundings at my own pace. The support is also great. Your in-country director is there when you need them and checks up on the participant, but not in an overwhelming way. It's just a great experience in general. Make the most of it! Try new foods, explore new places, get out of your comfort zone!! Really get involved in your surroundings. Go to as many cultural activities as you can. Cultural parades, festivals, etc. Check out the many museums. Just make the most out of your journey. I loved living with the host family! It made a greater impact in learning the language, culture, and country. I would have loved some advice on how to get the ball rolling with paper lessons (writing, reading, grammar papers, etc.) My host siblings were close to my age, which made it a little awkward to me when telling them to do a lesson. I also would have like a little advice on what levels of English and topics to teach. Other than that, the pre-departure support and especially the webinar were awesome. I think this program is amazing the way it is. I don't see any need for improvement!

Greenheart provided a safe and enjoyable experience and I felt like an individual that they cared about (safety, enjoyable and comfort). My advice if you do this program is to enjoy every minute and keep an open mind about everything! You never know what will be your favourite memory. Thank you so much for such an amazing opportunity. I really appreciated everything I experienced. I made unbreakable friendships that I will carry with me forever!

I liked Greenheart over any other company because they don't send hundreds of students to one country, the staff and alumni are very talkative, open, and close to you at every point of the experience, and they know the exact region of the country you are going to. Nothing is uncertain with Greenheart. They have every questioned detail planned out. I always felt certain and safe. If you're thinking about studying abroad in Spain, be completely open to learn a new way of life, new things about yourself, and change in every part of your life. It might be challenging or frustrating at times, but at the end you will be amazed at how much this all has shaped you and made you a better, stronger, more confident person. I liked getting to live in a new culture, learn a totally different way of life, and challenge myself by learning a new language the most. It was so eye opening and incredible to see how different life is across the ocean. It made me learn what is important in my life, how I need to change things in my life, and allowed me to know myself even more than before. Thank you for such a life changing, amazing experience Greenheart! It really changed my life by allowing me to learn so many things about myself that I didn't know before. I have a better understanding of the world, who I am, and what I want to do in my life. I plan to apply to travel with you all again!

I was stoked to have Greenheart Travel to hold my hand through the process of getting a job in Korea. It was smooth, I was always kept in the loop, and it was free! It really doesn't get better than that considering I know other teachers who spend thousands of dollars for a recruiter! Yikes! Kara provided constant updates about my EPIK application and the support that Kara provided me before, during, and after coming to Korea was the best part of applying with Greenheart. If you're thinking of applying to this program be prepared to get all your paperwork in a timely manner. They can't help you if you're not actively getting the things done that they need to get you overseas. My only advice to Greenheart is to maybe provide a more detailed packing list. What to bring & what not to bring that goes along with the pre-departure webinar (like a worksheet of what was covered in the webinar).

It's an opportunity of a lifetime! Greenheart is a great adventure and chance for someone wanting to live in a foreign country short term. Embrace the ups and downs. Have fun. Laugh. Immerse yourself in the culture. The best part of this program was being a part of the Italian culture and community. My only ideas for improvement are: Give examples of lesson plans teacher assistants can use and how to come with lessons. Perhaps use previous TA's lesson plans as lesson plans. Also, plan activities throughout the three months (at least one) for teachers to get together more formally.

Kara is AMAZING!!! She was SO helpful throughout the entire process. She always answered my many questions very promptly and was so kind and encouraging. She made my experience through Greenheart and my transition abroad very smooth. Greenheart gave me all the information I needed to complete my documents on time and ensure I started the program when I wanted but make sure to stay on top of your paperwork! I thought this program was great. The staff is awesome and I would definitely recommend to a friend. On a side note, I never received my Greenheart welcome package with T-shirt and other goodies. I'm not sure if it go lost in the mail or not...But other than that, It's great!

Greenheart's professionalism and communication is unmatched. Their team is quick to respond to any questions or concerns and it is obvious everyone you talk to is very knowledgeable about the process of moving and teaching abroad. Greenheart definitely puts your mind at ease and reminds you that you always have someone at your back on this journey. While you may not fall in love with teaching abroad you will absolutely never regret teaching abroad and all that this experience has to offer you. Do it!

Thailand became home so quickly because of the community Greenheart and XA build here. Our TESOL course group became a family and I felt I could always reach out to the team if I needed support with questions about my visa or just anything at all! I felt that I came as prepared as I could be while also trying to keep an open mind. If you're thinking about applying, the benefits are the reason I chose this program. Also, the support provided and the speedy responses always delivered to us as well! Read the materials provided but try to keep an open mind about where you will be. Being abroad in a completely new environment encourages you to make strong relationships quickly and learn more about yourself! Be open to those things! Thanks to Sara for her continued support for those in Thailand! She has speedy responses and has been supportive the whole way through.

This is the most organized program and it has so much to offer you. From pre-departure, to your time abroad, to your return home they are there to support you and answer any questions you may have. There were times I felt incredibly overwhelmed before leaving and Sara was always there and put me at ease! The only thing that was a little confusing before I left was the relationship between Greenheart Travel and the in country staff/partner (receiving similar documents from both organizations and not sure which one to follow). It made sense once I was in Thailand and living it first hand but maybe that could be better explained to future participants (and I am sure you explained it well just my pre-departure information overload brain couldn't quite comprehend until I got there!) To future participants, my advice is to ask questions! Greenheart will have an answer or an alumni who has advice. It is an awesome, huge network! I loved meeting new people and exploring the ins and outs of a new culture with them. This experience creates lifelong friendships and memories!

If you (like me) have been thinking about working abroad and you have the means to do it at this time in your life DO IT! It was amazing and whenever I had doubts or questions Greenheart did their best to honestly answer my questions which always calmed my nerves and made me feel that even though I was going on the journey by myself, I was never alone. I really felt prepared for the culture shock and to go in with no expectations. I appreciate that all of the blogs and webinars did not sugar coat anything and I never felt like I was being sold this experience. I think the program presented the opportunity and some of the things (good and challenging) that would come along with the experience and let me decide if I was right for me. If I did not have this program to answer my initial questions with quick thorough responses I think I would have been more hesitant to go. I know everyone leaves their placement differently but I wish there were some guidelines on things that should be done before you leave. I am currently having trouble getting money out of my account because I got paid after I left. Overall, if you're thinking about doing this Greenheart will give you the support you need and there is always someone to answer your questions to the best of their ability. They are not trying to sell you on it or make it sound anything other than what the trip honestly is!

Thank you Greenheart for these opportunities to travel and be apart of the greater world! There are so many programs abroad, but the support from Sara was unique in that she truly felt like we could always rely on her and contact her at any time before, during and even now after the TESOL program is over. JUST DO IT, with an open mind and heart. No expectations, always go with the flow and trust the process.

Greenheart was fantastic for me - I literally had no issues and they answered any questions that I had. They made everything very easy to follow. There was always someone to answer questions in a very timely fashion. The authentication and notarization of documents was a bit confusing to me - I had never done anything like that before so I am not sure if it was me or the documentation - odds are it was me :-) My advice for a new participant would be enjoy yourself - I was a little nervous at first about the process but Greenheart was fantastic!

With Greenheart I liked the quick and detailed responses. When nervous to go live and work abroad for the first time it helped give me ease that someone was there to help at all times! The main reason I was on the fence was the cost of the program. I would tell that person that every penny is worth it. It is worth it to have Greenheart Travel help with the visa, plane ticket, TESOL course, and any other question you may have about going abroad. It is new territory for most people and once the departure gets closer, the most random questions will pop up into your head but Greenheart has heard them all and has answers for them all. If they don't, they will fin them. I couldn't imagine having to go over to Asia on my own and finding a job or TESOL course and the money I spend was well worth it! When people say keep an open mind, they mean it. You will meet all types of personalities, you will stay in various accommodations, and you will travel to places with amazing cultures but they will be very different from your own. If you have an open mind, it will be life changing and you'll be able to appreciate everyday. Otherwise, you may find the negative in situations and miss the normalcy of home. You are doing this to have new experiences, so be ready! Honestly, everything that got me to Thailand was incredibly helpful. Everything from when I would receive certain information or materials to what items I should pack was provided to me and I couldn't be more grateful.

Overall, my two month homestay in France was a very positive experience for me and I learned a lot. I just wanted to thank Megan Arzbaecher at Greenheart Travel for her help and enthusiasm. I think I was fortunate that I'm independent and don't mind doing things by myself because the family really didn't have a lot of extra time. Also the fact that I speak French helped a lot, it would have been quite challenging otherwise as I needed to do a lot of navigating by myself. In terms of the English teaching, the family's main goal was to prepare for a holiday they were going to take in California, we have kept in touch and they let me know the holiday went really well for them and all the English lessons and my efforts with them really helped and made a difference to them. I was delighted to hear that it was a positive and beneficial experience for them also.

Greenheart Travel is an excellent way to teach and travel, all while having a group of friendly and caring people supporting you along the way. The Greenheart Travel team and their partner organizations work with you closely to ensure that your transition overseas goes as smooth as possible -- I'm over halfway through my contract and I have still yet to feel culture shock or homesickness! I highly doubt my experience moving to another country to teach would have been this wonderful if I hadn't have chose to go through Greenheart Travel. The initial week of immersion activities was crucial for familiarizing myself with my new host community and developing relationships with the other teachers. I never thought I could have such an easy transition when moving across the world. I only wish I could've met my (awesome) roommate prior to moving in! Also upon initially applying to the program, I wish it was clearer that housing during orientation/TESOL program is actually paid by the student as a deposit, the Greenheart Travel website makes it seem as if housing is covered (student is not responsible for paying this extra amount as a deposit). My advice to any new participants on this program would be that the biggest challenge is over! You've made the leap towards moving aboard. As long as you remain open to connecting with the other teachers, co-workers, and locals in your neighborhood (all who will likely be very different from you) then you will have an incredible and enriching journey. I think the program has been wonderful in every way, I really don't have any complaints or critiques.

I love Myanmar. The people, the food, the culture and most of all I love to teach in Myanmar. Teaching in Mandalay and now in Yangon, has been an enriching experience that has given me so much knowledge, wisdom and solice that it is one of the most important and amazing experiences I have had.

I would really like to go to Costa Rica again, it really changed me and brought out the other side of me because I was scared of change. This trip showed me that change is okay and don't be scared because you'll regret if you hadn't done it. You have to be prepared for change in cultures and I learned that on this trip. The whole time I was there, people greeted me and didn't treat me different just because I came from another country. Our host families treated us like their own. I loved that part. Greenheart Travel has good communication skills with the people traveling and the people who lives in the community. I think the pre-departure they gave me all the information that I needed to know.

Greenheart Travel's values are really at the centre of this programme and for whatever reason you decide to be part of the programme I think you should always consider this. The most valuable thing that I have gained from the experience is the sense of the world coming a little bit closer together. People from different backgrounds sharing moments, knowledge and love to grow as both individuals but also as a world together. The programme is really excellent and I find it difficult to find ways to improve it. Some of the challenges and issues would be hard to avoid due to the scale of the programme and the diversity of placements

The whole experience was amazing. My host family were so supportive and my school mentor was really helpful. I'm still in regular contact with my host family and the teachers at my school. This experience of teaching abroad was the best decision I ever made and I have benefited from it in so many different ways!

I worked with Kara (Menini) and her helpfulness and timely responses were amazing. She made this whole process a breeze! Greenheart staff is very personable and will make sure that the process goes smoothly.

I have enjoyed every aspect of the Greenheart experience, but my favorite part has to be the people. Within the program, I've been inspired by many. I'm also grateful that Greenheart ultimately brought me to Chiang Kham, where I've developed connections in (and passion for) the community.

I was so happy with the outcome of the whole process. I made tons of friends during orientation and my TESOL course and I loved my school and my students. Best experience of my life so far! The process through Greenheart was set up so well, they have everything organized so you know exactly what to do for your application, visa and everything prior to your trip. They know you are anxious and may be nervous so they help ease a lot of your pre-trip jitters.

The speed and seriousness in which my questions and concerns were answered was phenomenal. I'm a big worrier and the only reason I got myself on a plane was because of the step-by-step help my recruiter, Kara Menini, provided. She was amazing.

Going to France was definitely life changing. I now want to learn more French and become fluent so I can start working in France as a national correspondent. This trip was the first step in finding what I want to do in the future and Greenheart Travel made it happen! Choose Greenheart Travel! The people who work there make sure everything is ready to go before you go and while you are there. I don't think you will get that anywhere else. The best thing about the program was meeting all the people from around the world who were learning with me. It was so cool listening to other peoples lives and how it is different from how I live everyday. My advice for future students would be to learn as much about the language as you can before going.

I volunteered with Green Heart Travel over the summer of 2017. Initially I was hesitant to go to Vietnam alone for 5 weeks as I had never been to Asia and didn't speak any Vietnamese. However, as sooon as I arrived in Hanoi I began having an amazing time. The volunteer coordinators were amazing. Most of them were young in their late teens or early twenties and so were most of the volunteers so we all got along really well. They showed me how to take the bus to my volunteer location and after riding with them a few times I had no problems going by myself (but I usually took an Uber motorbike because it was a lot more fun ;) ). I volunteered with autistic 2 year-olds at a private preschool on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 to 4:00 with a long lunch/nap break in the middle of the day. On the weekends most of the volunteers would group together and travel to some other part of Vietnam. Some of the things we did on the weekends were hiking, sight seeing, and even a cruise! The volunteer helpers (not their officially title, I'm just not really sure what to call them) told us about a great travel agency that we usually went through. The volunteer helpers were super helpful when we wanted to book bus, train and plane tickets. Lots of people would ask for a couple days off and visit Cambodia or Laos on the weekend too (I would seriously recommend getting a multiple entry visa!). Overall, I loved Hanoi! It has probably been the best travel experience I have ever had (I've been to over thirty countries). There was so much to do every weekend and every night we were never bored! I loved Hanoi so much that when I graduate I want to move there and spend a year teaching English. Since doing this program I have been to several other Asian countries and Vietnam is definitely my favorite. If you have never been to Asia, or even if you have, this is the place to go!

I received a great deal of support before I departed for Thailand. All of my questions and concerns were responded to in a timely manner and Sara was very supportive, kind, informative, and encouraging. The only thing I'd say to improve on is that I wish I knew more about Thailand's educational system. Greenheart provides above and beyond support throughout your entire experience. The in-country training was also extremely beneficial. Ask a lot of questions and do not assume anything. Look into life abroad beyond the pictures you see on social media. Also, pack very light. You can buy clothes in the country and won't know what your school wants you to wear until you start working.

Greenheart Travel gives a bunch of pre departure materials that help you prepare yourself for what's coming next and if you have any questions they respond to emails fairly quickly. It would have been better to know my town and host family slightly earlier so I could research the town and talk to my host family. Also I suggest making how to call that country from the US part of the information provided. My advice to future students is to stay calm. It'll all be okay. Also say "yes" to anything your host family asks if you wanna do. You'll get more out of your experience!

Overall, my experience teaching abroad in Thailand through Greenheart Travel was an unforgettable one! Throughout the application process pre-departure, my TESOL course, and teaching experience, I had the support and assistance of many people from the program. All of the members of the staff were very helpful in answering any questions, providing information, and making sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. One of the most positive parts of my experience was that I had the opportunity to take the TESOL course on-site the first month with a class 30 who were also coming from the US and Canada to teach English. It was really helpful to have a good network of people around that made me more comfortable and confident before starting my teaching placement! Throughout the TESOL course, the team was very helpful in providing assistance in other areas as well including a Thai language course, a cultural foundation course, and many excursions to give us a feel of the very rich culture in Thailand. They also made it a smooth process moving from the course into our placements and made travel and apartment arrangements for us as well. After the course was completed, I was very happy with my teaching placement and town. I had so many friendly people both in my school and my town who helped make my journey so unique and unforgettable! Ultimately, I learned so much and experienced a great deal of personal growth throughout the process. I am very happy I chose to do this program through Greenheart Travel!

I went to New Zealand on a Working Holiday visa in 2015. It was an absolutely wonderful experience; one I loved so much, that I plan to hopefully do another Working Holiday in Australia in 2018. I met so many wonderful people, who have now become "whānau" to me :) We still keep in touch, years later, and I've even gone to visit them. I was lucky enough to be given a job working in a newly constructed hostel. That became my "home-away-from-home", as I explored the North Island, went sand boarding down the Te Paki Stream, bathed in mineral mud, discovered the Shire and Hobbiton, met the wildlife face-to-face, and really just made memories that will last a lifetime. Overall the travel experience was excellent and one that I believe that everyone who is interested in it, should try. The program I did my travel through though was.. a program. Looking back now, I honestly don't remember what I paid them for. I don't mean that in a rude way, just in a way that is unremarkable. Besides a two-night hostel stay (which amounts to ~$60), one Skype interview with a coordinator, an info package and mini book on the country, and well.. advice on what I should do before I left.. it was an expensive cost for very little. Upon arrival, I had somewhere to stay, which was nice for a first time, nervous traveler, and a membership to a sort of work/travel agency that offered me a one-time group orientation session, access to a computer during business hours, and.. more advice. I was aided in setting up a bank account abroad but it was a very messy process as the Customs agent did not sign the proper papers for me (*not the program's fault). A lot of the nitty, gritty work was done by me. I found myself a job, I found somewhere to stay, I learned how to budget, I booked my flight, I applied for my visa, I applied for my health insurance, all which was more or less completely on my own (or with the help of family members). Overall, if you're a young traveler that is adamant about having help abroad and needs the security of being able to reach out for it (keep in mind that it's across an ocean, from a different time zone), then it MIGHT be worth the money. Even if it's just for your first time alone abroad. Personally I, having done it once and having learned the ropes by now, would not spend extra funds to do it through a program again. I would sooner arrange it myself, and keep the money I would have spent paying someone to "be there just in case" instead on the flight out. But.. To each their own. How you do it is up to you.... but you should definitely do it!

The best part of the program to me was being part of a family and community that truly wanted me there. Although, I believe a session to brainstorm lesson plans and activities in the school would be helpful (during orientation). Especially for those who have never taught before. Savannah and everyone from Greenheart was so helpful and passionate about this project. You really do have a support system to help guide you every step of the way!!!

My favorite part about the program was like how, though I was in school environment, I still had the ability to go out and explore Japan. There was free time, but it was structured too. I also enjoyed that my program allowed for me to explore the country through a language lens and through the lives of the people that live there. My host family was excellent! Absolutely no complaints about them or my experience living with them. Greenheart travel has such a wide variety of study abroad location with different goals in mind. I think that by using greenheart you will truly fits what you're looking for! I really felt like I knew everything before leaving and they did a good job preparing me!

Choose Greenheart Travel. They will be with you every step of the way, from the beginning to the end. Sara is great! She is always there if you need her. I really enjoyed the orientation, and constant support I received from the Xplore Asia team (Greenheart's partner in Thailand).

I know the title is cliche, but it's true! If you are reading this, wondering whether or not to take the jump... just do it. I promise that you won't regret it! I truly appreciate the help of the program managers in preparing me to the best of their abilities for what would come before, during, and after the experience. They made sure I was physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for the experience. The attention to detail in the selection process for my host family was evident as soon as I arrived in Sicily and got to know my family. Although Sicily was my last choice of placement (strictly due to the ease of travel), I was placed with a family there. They were an absolutely perfect match, and are like true family now! Greenheart Travel truly looked at my preferences, and told me that they knew this was best. They remained in contact with me throughout the entire process, and gave me outlets to share my experience! I was able to blog for the agency, and network with other members of the agency. The entire program was wonderful, and I suggest going through Greenheart to do such an experience. Their approach to travel is what I appreciated most, and it impacted how I went about teaching English and living my life in Sicily. I lived with a family in Ragusa, Sicily. Ragusa is absolutely beautiful, and I felt more safe in this town than I do in my hometown. Both the province and town have rich history, and everything you would want in a visit to Italy. My host family was more than accommodating, and better than I could have imagined. Personally, I was there to primarily teach the mother of the family, but I truly ended up teaching an entire community. I lived in a family with a mother, father, and 4 year old daughter. Of course, all of the family members learned English from me. Anytime that I would be in public and speaking with my family, I would have total strangers ask to practice English with me! It is a highly valued skill to non-native speakers, and Ragusa doesn't have many English speaking tourists. I taught much more than 15 hours a week, usually more than 15 hours a day! My family was a perfect match for me, and I tried to savor every moment with them. I spent so much time "teaching" (it didn't feel like teaching) because of my personal approach to this experience. My approach to teaching English was to make it as applicable and conversational as possible. Language learners cannot have this experience through a classroom setting or studying from a book, so that was I sought to offer them. My host family encouraged me to travel once or twice while in Sicily, so I chose to travel once. It was perfect for a two month time frame. Greenheart emphasized this to me, so I'll emphasize it to you having done this experience - Do NOT do this experience to use your family as a place to stay while you can travel. These families truly consider you a part of their family and want to make the most of this experience. Value what they are doing for you, and what they give up to have you in their home. Spend every moment that you can with them, and clearly communicate your hopes for travels while staying with them. My best overall advice to anyone considering a program with Greenheart Travel is to consider your heritage. Try to choose a program (if it's a place that you're interested in traveling to), that is a country of origin for your family. It is a great opportunity to not only learn about your family, but also about yourself. I have a lot of Sicilian heritage, so I feel that my experience was even more meaningful and that I learned about myself. Teaching English abroad is an incredibly rewarding experience, and I will continue to share my stories of teaching abroad for the rest of my life.

I had an amazing time in Costa Rica. I loved my host family, they made everything feel like home. Not to mention the food was great. The animals were so fun to work with and learning about them made me look at animals with a whole new perspective. I want to go back so bad!

Everyone from Greenheart is so nice and they help to make sure that you're 100% on your decision because they truly care about how you're doing, versus several other programs who are just in it for the money. I love how everyone was so understanding and always willing to help me. Once in Spain, it didn't hurt that not everyone spoke Spanish; it just gave me more of a chance to immerse myself! I feel like everything that Greenheart Travel gave me like the Spanish culture packet on the acceptance email was true to some extent, but it didn't really help when I was interacting with Spanish people. You can try to learn everything about what life in Salamanca is like, but that will never be enough. The unexpectedness of everything is what makes it so rewarding. One thing I didn’t like that much was my host family. I talked to several other Greenheart Travelers during my time in Salamanca, and they felt the same way as I did. I feel like it's good in theory, but these host families see it as their job and not as something to improve your understanding of their culture or to be a part of their family so it comes off as insincere. But I made the best of it and still loved my time! I'm so thankful that Greenheart Travel made this an amazing experience and look forward to doing another program (probably homestay abroad) with them next summer!!!

I felt 100 percent supported with Greenheart and comfortable living abroad due to the resourcefulness and accessibility of my program director –Megan! My favorite part of the program was my host family. I loved how they treated me like one of their own family members. I also loved how immersed I was into real daily life in spain. It’s a different perspective. I would encourage future teachers to be flexible. Be open. Communicate as much as possible. Make an effort to connect. And acknowledge that you are not in America so embrace what is different!!! I would love to do this again next summer! Great experience! One thing they might do to improve would be to provide curriculum books or give book resource ideas for the program candidate to purchase aside from the online ones due to limited printer access.

This program was one of the best experiences of my life! I made so many friends and learned so much french. I had a great host family who made me feel like right at home. There was so much diversity and culture, it was very refreshing! The people there were the best and I loved it, I would definitely return!

My advice is to choose Greenheart Travel. The website is very straight forward, and any other question you may have, the staff is always open to answering them in a timely matter. While abroad, they reach out to you to make sure your program is going smoothly. It is very comforting to know that the person you were in contact with before your departure still connects with you during and even after your program. My host family was amazing! I also enjoyed trying new foods and experiencing a new culture.

I would say that I cannot speak for other programs specifically, but that my experience with Greenheart Travel has only been positive. It was also reassuring to have someone working to help with all of the required paperwork prior to moving abroad. Greenheart Travel eased my mind and made the transition to Thailand easy and stress free. I liked the availability of the Greenheart Travel staff. I mostly worked with Sara Dorsey and she was wonderful in answering all my questions.

This program was a good fit for me. I really liked that we had the ability to choose what we wanted to do sometimes, it gave everyone the responsibility to be aware of where they were and time management. I did both the Arcachon and Paris program. In Paris, the lessons were very easygoing, many people did not do them at all. I would have liked a little bit more rigor. In Arcachon, I think they could improve communication between adults and students. At times, students did not know what was going on or where different groups were going, or even what group they were in! Just a little confusing. A tip for future students would be to pay attention to where you are going. Make a mental map your first few days. You really don't want to rely on other people to get you somewhere and you need at least a general sense of direction, it makes a world of difference. I really enjoyed the program but I guess if anything could be improved, it would be to know the size of the group before arrival or more information about the other students. I communicate with them all now, but would have been nice to know them better before arriving.

Living in Italy for 3 months was a fantastic experience! Learning to make gnocchi and ragù sauce from the grandmother of one of my host families was certainly awesome, but the best part would be all the people I met and new friends I made who come from all around the world. A big thank you to Greenheart Travel for helping to make it all possible!

Everything Greenheart did was helpful. I think the culture shock training was the most important. I study French and language is only one part of culture. Their immersion training aspect greatly helps in understanding. My representative in France was also superb. He checked up on me by having me over for lunch once a week. During these lunches we ate with other travelers and teachers. It was wonderfully enlightening and he really put more energy into my well-being than I thought he should have. But I am grateful for him. My family in France was wonderful and I do plan on visiting them next time I come to France. I will definitely keep in touch with them as well. I liked being immersed in the culture. One piece of advice I would give is don't wait for your host family to ask you to help or assist around the house. If you wish to give a good impression take the responsibility and help out. They will greatly appreciate this and in my case I could learn new words for the daily activities that you actually perform in real life. Knowing vocabulary to get you around an airport is wonderful but also knowing how to ask if you can help with the dishes is much more pertinent in this type of setting. If I had any complaints, it would be that I had a little bit too much free time. I would have liked to been involved in more classes or even volunteer work. I'm not very shy but it is easier to meet people in those situations rather than at a coffee shop or bar.

I had an amazing time in Costa Rica. Its nice to be back with my family and friends but i definitely i wish i could have stayed longer. 3 weeks wasn't long enough for me! it was a really great experience for me and I'm happy that i got to do it. I loved meeting all the locals and the animals were amazing! It's a really beautiful country and I can't wait to go back and explore and learn more! I'm thinking of going again next year in the summer with a friend!

Greenheart Travel has an excellent program, allowing students from all over the world to immerse themselves in a different culture. Through Greenheart Travel I was able to volunteer in Proyecto Asis for two weeks, where my Spanish improved, I was able to meet great people, and eat delicious food. The host families were wonderful and treated you as if you were one of their kids, and the people around were kind as well. I was able to see and experience what it feels like to actually be apart of the Costa Rican culture. I was able to take care of animals, learn how to cook traditional foods, and visit the beautiful scenery Costa Rica has to offer. Thank You Greenheart!

I had an amazing time in France through Greenheart's 10-month high school abroad program. I was in the "deep south" of France, and by the time I left people told me I'd picked up on their southern accent! The year was in no way an easy one: it took a lot of work to successfully integrate into my host family, find friends (the language barrier is SO real) and master the language. But every moment was worth it! I have an amazing relationship with my host family and lots of friends from my French high school, plus other exchange students I met on the trips. The coordinator for our region was very helpful and kind, and she helped me with anything I asked of her. All in all, it was an awesome experience and I'm sure I'll be heading back to France soon enough to see my new friends again!

I only have two more days left in the Salamanca program and I wish I could stay for a 100 more! Living with a family is definitely a special experience that I'm glad I could have. The classes, while Im always learning new things that Id never heard of, aren't particularly challenging. In fact they're some of the most fun parts of the day! Thank you to Greenheart for giving me this amazing opportunity!

My experience in Myanmar was magical. The people, the cuisine (and beer), and the sights to behold—everything was absolutely enchanting! I lived and worked for a total of three years in Yangon (2013-2016). Just as the country transformed rapidly during that time, I, too, grew both personally and professionally. Myanmar people are extremely hospitable and funny! The amount of sarcasm and playfulness I experienced and/or observed from my Myanmar friends, neighbors, students and colleagues made me feel at home right away. I taught at Myanmar Noble College, a private institution where students could achieve their HND (Higher National Diploma). My students ranged in age from 16-22. I instructed over 200 students a week in an effort to help them prepare for their IELTS exam. In order to study abroad in an English-speaking country, students must get a high score on the IELTS test. I had a pretty normal teaching schedule. I worked a regular 40-hour week, Monday-Friday. Some teachers do work on the weekends, however. It depends on where you’re placed. I went to Myanmar as a Greenheart Travel Teach Abroad Correspondent, which meant I got to share my experience through monthly videos and blog posts for Greenheart Travel. Sara Thacker, the program manager for Greenheart Travel’s opportunity in Myanmar, efficiently and easily got me there, checked in on me during my time, and continued corresponding with me even after I had ventured off on my own! Jill Robinson, Greenheart Travel’s marketing director, was a blast to work with! We got to know each personally, and she often reached out to me when the photos, videos, and blog posts I submitted would tell of particular challenges I was facing at the time. Thanks, Jill! Myanmar isn’t the easiest place I’ve lived overseas. Yangon is extremely hot. The power goes out regularly. Resources at schools tend to be a bit limited. And I took a cold shower or bucket bath the entire time I lived there. But, all of these things enhanced my adventure, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Not even the cockroaches. My recommendation would be to have a cushion of savings before you go, just in case! I had a hard time paying bills at home while I was there. I simply wasn’t making enough for my needs, and I had a hard time finding a way to send money out of the country (this has likely become easier by now). NOW is when you should experience Myanmar—it’s such an exciting time in its history! So many new places to shop, dine and wine are opening up all over Yangon. Much of what you’ll read online about Myanmar is already outdated. It’s nearly impossible to keep up with how fast the country is changing! Guess you better find out for yourself!

I decided to use Greenheart Travel to go help me through the process of teaching abroad because the visa and placement process can be extremely complicated and I wanted to use a company that had experience. However, the company was way more helpful than just handling logistics. They were there for every step, and answered any frantic questions I sent via email within a few hours. I think I even took their program for granted a little bit, because when I arrived in Thailand with no problems, I met people who had used other companies and had run into a number of issues before arriving. Greenheart even stayed in contact with me throughout my time in Thailand to help assist with any problems. I honestly felt that they actually cared about each participant having a meaningful and memorable experience, and many other Greenheart travelers that I met had nothing but positive things to say as well. But the most beneficial aspect of going through Greenheart Travel (that I had completely not anticipated) was the extensive and really helpful network of alumni. If I was traveling anywhere in the country, needed help with a lesson plan, had a questions about the culture, or even help when returning back to the U.S, I could always reach out to the alumni network for advice and suggestions. It was like having a friend wherever I went in Thailand, and that was honestly invaluable. This company is a must of you are thinking about going abroad!

After three glorious weeks my Sri Lankan adventure has come to an end :(. While part of me wishes I was still covered in dirt, tracking elephants, and living off of curry I knew that it was time to come home. For me personally the local people are what made this trip so incredible. Traveling as a solo female can be daunting, but I can honestly say that I did not have a single bad experience with anyone while here. I cannot count the number of times I had people come up to me and ask if I needed help with directions, or where I was from, or even just to say hi. The sheer kindness and selflessness I witnessed from the Sri Lankan people will never cease to amaze me. I have experienced American culture, Swedish culture, and many other Europeans cultures while traveling; however, none can to compare Sri Lanka’s. 70% of the people living in the country practice Buddhism which I had little to no experience with before traveling to the country. Buddhism is such a loving religion and it really reflects on the culture in Sri Lanka. The people are very respectful and humble, spending hours a day mediating, praying, and giving offers to their Buddhist Gods. From the stunning mountain ranges, to the lush forests and mesmerizing untouched beach, photos will never be able to portray just how unbelievably beautiful this island truly is. I have seen lots of elephants, monkeys, lizards, buffalo, cows, birds, scorpions, and insects bigger than my head! The food has been unbelievable (even if it is rice and curry for every single meal). Sri Lankan food is very similar to Indian food. Lots and lots of curry, rice, and bread, although it tends to be much spicier. A typical breakfast includes “shorteats’ (basically all shorts of breads study with veggies, fish, etc), string hoppers (rice noodle disks), and various curries to dip you string hoppers in.

I didn't have expectations as to what i would get out of this program. I started the program with a blank canvas so what ever happened i was in for the ride. Going from one country to another i was not expecting the same creature comforts. Being on the fence is not doing you any good, sometimes is best to just experience it first-hand because you never know who you will meet, a simple act like that can change how you see yourself. The best thing about the program that i can share, was that i met some great people that i had no clue i was going to meet in the first place. I would say definitely bring a book to read (days slow down) also bring earplugs for a quite night's sleep(nature wakes up when humans sleep). Improvements are not something i noticed in need of.

I have so many wonderful things to say about this program I do not even know where to begin! Greenheart was a truly incredible organization to work with, and I am so grateful for their assistance in finding this placement. Every aspect of my experience was handled with utmost professionalism, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Flying in from Kuala Lumpur, my flight had been delayed. Fortunately, the local staff was understanding, and picked me up at midnight in Colombo nonetheless. I was taken to a local hotel, and then picked up in the morning to go to the train station. I hopped on the train to Kandy which was an exciting experience. The man that drove me made sure to run on the train before me to assure I had a good seat, one on the side of the train with the best views. And the views were incredible. The trains in Lanka are much slower to those I've experienced in the states, or in China, but every slow second was worth it. Winding up through the mountains, you're climbing in elevation while you get to experience the most magnificent of views: rolling hills with blues and green like I've never seen before. In Kandy, I was picked up by another local staff member, taken out to lunch, and then driven to the field house near Wasgamuwa national park. Day one was exciting. I made it in time to go out for field observations. During these you'd either go to a tree hut or another location in the Land Rover, and wait for elephants. Many days there were none. However, on my first day we saw a herd of 20. Being in the midst of these massive, beautiful creatures for the first time was incredibly humbling. During the mornings, we would do different sorts of field work: dung or branch transects, surveying crop damage, electric fence monitoring, sand traps, GPS mapping or checking on the camera traps. As I mentioned before, we would do observations in the afternoon. When elephants game, it was truly magical. Watching them play, run around, fight, being undisturbed is magnificent. The local staff is very considerate of the elephants, keeping a distance, and assuring that all of the volunteers remain quiet so as not to alter the elephants' behavior. This conservation project is incredibly comprehensive in the research that they do, especially for having such a relatively small permanent staff! I learned so much about the human-elephant conflict here in the 5 weeks, and the staff there is incredibly knowledgeable about both the conflict and the ecosystem there. I had many very informative conversations with Chandima (one of the heads of the project) about the complexities within the wildlife situation in Sri Lanka: politically, socially, and pragmatically. The Conservation Society does a brilliant job at conveying the issue from both the perspective of the Elephants' well being and the Farmers. I also learned about other kinds of wildlife in the area as well! The society has captured Leopards, Deer, Sloth Bears, Rusty spotted cats, and of course Elephants on our camera traps. The birds in the area are also incredible, and there are many resources at the field house to help identify them. During field transects, some of the local staff would identify insects, animals, and different kinds of fruit. I ate so many mangoes in my time there :). The living situation was a bit more rustic, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There was running water, and fans helped with the heat. No Wifi, but if you have a phone you can get a sim card & data plan at a fraction of the price it would be in the states. There's an incredible patio that overlooks the lake, where I loved to watch the sunrise every morning. It was also where we would have dance parties! One thing I value about this project is the level of professionalism with which the staff works, but they also really know how to have a good time. If you ask, the local staff can teach you how to play carrom. Its a game that is a bit of a hybrid between pool and checkers. Sarath and Supun are incredible at the game. During free hours we'd play carrom, read books, go down to the lake and swim, and listen to music. Usually once or twice a week, a group would get together to ride into town (about 10 minutes away) if anyone wanted to stock up on snacks, toiletries, etc. Weekends, we would get a group together to go on different excursions, going to Adam's peak, Damboullah & Siguryia, or the nearby waterfalls. If nothing else I recommend the waterfalls first and foremost. Rathna Ella is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I was a big fan of the food here. The ladies that work in the kitchen really know what they're doing, and I definitely learned some tips and tricks from them. Eating with my hands made it so much better as well! There's a lot of rice. I personally love rice, however, and never once got tired of eating it. Also, I'm a spiritual practitioner with a deep-seeded interest in eastern philosophy. Sri Lanka is predominately a Theravada Buddhist country, and there is a temple near the field house. I got the opportunity to go to the temple and meditate a few days and learn more about the function of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. All around, the 5 weeks I spent on the project were incredibly transformative for me. Being able to develop a more nuanced understanding of this conflict, learning about Sri Lankan culture and spiritual practices, all the while knowing I was in excellent care. At the field house, I really felt like I was part of a family. I have recommended this project to many people and also recommend it to any one who may happen to be reading this! Thank you Greenheart, thank you SLWCS, and thank you to both the farmers and the elephants!

Overall, my experience on this program was pretty good. It was very relaxed and flexible and my language skills definitely improved. I enjoyed getting to know my host family and experiencing life in Varese, Italy. I would recommend that future participants do as much as they can to learn the local language before you go - especially as regards speaking! It will make a real difference in your experience. I think one way the program could be improved in the future is to clarify expectations. While the unstructured nature of the program allows for flexibility (which is nice), it didn't feel as though the local coordinator had had any real conversations with my host family as to what to expect, so the first few weeks were a bit stressful. I suppose that’s normal with exchange programs because it’s an adjustment, but it might be worthwhile having some sort of form which host family and guests could read/work through early on in the placement to articulate expectations on both sides!

My main objective with this trip was to immerse myself in Spanish in order to better my language skills and I've definitely achieved that goal. But I've gained much more than just language skills from this trip. I've learned a bit about teaching, I've learned about Argentinian culture and I've built valuable relationships. I'll definitely cherish the memories I've made and I'm certain I will return to see my host family and explore more of Argentina! Thank you to Greenheart Travel for all work you put into making this trip as smooth sailing as it was for me. The preparation and regular communication really helped to reassure me prior to my departure. I had no issues during my two months in Argentina but I know that if anything would have come up you would have been there to help and I appreciate that very much! It's hard for me to pinpoint THE single best memory I have because I experienced quite a few things. The family was more than generous and made me feel like I was one of them. They took me along with them to family diners, live music concerts and we even went to Buenos Aires for a day to see Cirque du Soleil!

I love the fact that this program lets you get to be so close to a family in their unique culture & routine. You get to learn so much more about the language and the culture of the country/region than if you were just visiting the country on your own. And you also get to build relationships that will most likely impact your entire life! I think that Greenheart Travel prepared us very well and provided us with many resources! If you're on the fence about this program, I would say that the personal support and contact I had with Greenheart employees during my entire program made it worth it! I even got to meet my program manager Megan in person in Spain when she visited. The only thing I can suggest to improve the program would be to offer a q&a session with alumni. For example, someone who is applying for the homestay program in Spain gets the contact info of/has a Skype session with an alumni member who has done this program there.

My program taught me the value of studying. The investment in a year-long experience motivated me to really make the most of it. It was life-changing, and I will never look at the world the same way again. When you're in high school, it's a small universe, but when you go abroad, your world grows and you learn a lot about yourself. It’s honestly the best decision I’ve ever made.

My exchange made me more sure about what I want to do in life because of the cultural and historical influences I experienced. No matter how much I love my high school, now I will always want to get on a plane and travel to explore other cultures. Thanks to this experience, I also know that I can do it! And it made me prepared to work hard for the things that I really want. I may not be the most normal person, but this experience taught me that travel is where I belong. It made me confident that that’s what I need to be doing with my life.

Australia was the best thing that ever happened to me. Thanks to Kara and the Greenheart Travel. I lost around 20 pounds, more self confidence, a better paying job, more social, and eating better. Sydney is a beautiful city and everyday I'm doing something different. I'm never bored and always happy. I recommend this company if you want a positive change in your life. I've never had any regrets

Since my classes were all in Norwegian, I had to work really hard to pick up on things, and as a result, developed a stronger ability to focus. For this reason, my time abroad served as a new beginning and my grades have improved a lot since I’ve gotten back! During my travels, I also furthered my social skills by forcing myself to use the language and engage with locals. This program taught me to put myself out there and made me a more confident person.

I am so thankful to have spent 6 months in Badajoz, Spain. I met so many great people from Spain and the United States. When I first arrived for the orientation I was really nervous, but the orientation staff is extremely welcoming and they help you learn more about the country. After leaving the orientation, I met my host family who helped me so much with my Spanish and they taught me so much about the Spanish culture. They had already had two past exchange students so they were very accommodating. Being in a smaller city was beneficial because not very many people spoke English so even if I wanted to speak it, I would have to try to use my Spanish instead. School was difficult because it was all taught in Spanish, but my classmates took their own time in class to help me understand the assignments. The school work was not that important to me as the grades wouldn't count for my transcript over here, but I tried the best I could. Over my whole trip I managed to do so many different things like try on traditional flamenco dresses at a local shop, ride horses on the beach and even got to visit Portugal! My favorite part of living in Spain was that every Friday I would go out with my classmates and walk the streets and go out to eat. Studying abroad was just as educational as learning in a traditional classroom because just being in a different country had taught me so much.

My experience could not have been more perfect. The family was perfect and friendly and welcoming and loving and very generous. The full immersion was great, it helped me to learn the language quicker and to experience more of the culture. Being the only American in my city was very fun, everyone was very excited to meet me and always wanted to converse. Going to school was difficult, especially when I couldnt understand but friends, family and teachers are very willing to help. I would not have done the second semester of my junior year any other way.

Its an amazing opportunity, An adventure for those looking for a more culturally Authentic experience. I really recommend it . Nay Pyi Daw is the Sleepy capital of Myanmar and is located in the center of the country so it is very easy and cheap to travel around the country. Be warned there aren't a lot of foreigners in the city. but your students are AMAZING and there is a scooter provided for exploring.

We chose Greenheart Travel because we were looking for an established, reputable agency that participated in a regulatory/screening organization, and found them listed on the CSIET website. Greenheart Travel was also one of the agencies we found that would place students in Ireland, and take a high school student who would turn 18 during his year abroad. Hope Pavich, our Greenheart Travel program manager, was superb! She clearly communicated all the steps of the application and preparation processes, hosted a fantastic “getting ready to go” Skype call with several young people, kept us informed of our son Cooper’s progress, and was available for any questions we had. Hope is the best! Bernadette and Christopher, Cooper’s host parents, were beyond lovely to him and to us when we visited Ireland at the end of his program. They clearly cared for and about Cooper while still understanding the needs of older teenagers and the unique challenges of parenting this age of an individual. We couldn’t be happier with how they supported Cooper in his time abroad. Nula, the area representative, did a wonderful job of helping Cooper when he required assistance as well.

Using a recruiter was a really great option for me. I wasn't sure I would be able to navigate the seemingly complicated application process for EPIK. One of the things that really appealed to me about Greenheart Travel was the fact that is essentially free support for an emotionally difficult and stressful situation. I would email GT often and get a response within a day or two at the most (barring the weekend). The terms I would use to describe using GT would be supportive, informative, and helpful. It is the perfect company to use for someone who may need a little hand-holding (like me!). My experience with GT has been really great and I would highly recommend the company to a friend. Actually, I already have! Thanks GT for making my experience as smooth as possible.

Overall, I am really enjoying my time here. The host family has been very gracious and I am starting to get accustomed to their culture. There have definitely been some challenges: - The language barrier is pretty difficult. My host mom knows a decent amount of English but no one else speaks any. Even with taking a year of Mandarin and learning about the Chinese culture before I left, I clearly only scratched the surface! - Another thing that has been rather difficult for me is how upfront the Chinese are about their expectations. They really want to know what I want from my time here and they will do everything they can to satisfy me even when they have done so much already. Growing up, I have always worked to give back and to help out whenever I can, which I have made sure to do here. Those have been the only real obstacles I have been faced with thus far. It's alright though, because I knew that coming into the program that it would be hard. Greenheart Travel did a really good job preparing me for that with all their correspondence and pre-departure stuff. By living with a family, I have come to appreciate the culture and understand some of the differences for why they do what they do. They really want me to experience their culture in as many ways as possible. I am learning a lot and having a good time! Teaching has also been good, although I have struggled a bit to keep it both educational and entertaining but it's working out! Overall, a very great learning experience & opportunity to be immersed in Chinese life.

Hayla (my daughter) has just back home from 3 weeks in Japan. She was very sad to leave because she had a WONDERFUL experience. No culture shock… No drama…just a great time! She loved her host parents especially her host mom who cooked with her, took her places, etc. They have formed quite a bond. They certainly set the bar quite high! She cried when she left Japan (she did NOT cry when she left USA!) and still misses it very much! She loved Fukuoka and all that the experience offered. She kept herself very busy. I think the program did a great job with offering varied activities and excursions for the kids. I think she has a solid understanding of the culture, school, and exchange experience. She will definitely be returning to Japan….I don’t know if it will be a summer program or an exchange program for the full year. A huge thank you to Greenheart Travel for making this a great experience for all the kids including my daughter. I cannot recommend your program enough.

I had an AMAZING experience living in Austria for three months last year on Greenheart's trimester program. Excellent family, excellent location, and excellent cultural immersion. I had no idea our cultures could be so different. Greenheart did an awesome job of making sure I was placed with a safe family that could suit my needs (I am non-smoking and vegetarian) and passions. They also were always helping us with Visa questions and the like. And my experience with Greenheart did not end after I returned from Austria. They are much more than a travel abroad program, and they are dedicated to helping alumni engage in community service (they offer grants, workshops, and conferences) and further cultural immersion. Highly, HIGHLY, recommend.

My trip was amazing! It was really hard leaving Germany because I made so many close friends there that I didn't want to be apart from. And, they were almost all international students. I was one of only 3 Americans and that was one of my favorite parts. Now I have friends all over the world! I also loved the classes, city, and lifestyle I established while there. I can tell that I changed a lot while in Germany in regards to personality, maturity, and language skills.

I had an absolutely great time! The host family was very nice and I enjoyed getting to know them and learning about their culture. On the weekends, the family took me to see Fukuoka tower, Ohori park, and Tenjin. They were very generous. I made a lot of good friends from around the world, and learned a lot of Japanese at the language school. The city was beautiful, and taking the train was very easy and convenient (although I did get lost once or twice!). This trip is definitely something that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Thank you so much to Greenheart Travel for coordinating with my family and helping me plan the trip, it was so great.

My family has been incredible and I'm adjusting well to life in the Galicia region of Spain, thankfully. This location was not what I initially expected, but my host family has been very eager to learn and to teach as well. In the short time I have been here I have significantly improved my Spanish, helped them improve their English, learned how to sew, learned how to cook, and even got to work on the family's vineyard. I got to watch the running of the bulls (there was no way I would actually run it) and got to practice my Spanish with people outside of my town. This has been such an amazing and fulfilling experience! I hope to return to this amazing country in the future, but for now, I am excited to be enjoying my time with such a loving family.

The first thing that you will notice about this program is the dogs. This was my first time to a developing country, so I had no idea how many there were in need of help, love and care. As a volunteer, you actually get to develop relationships with lots of these dogs and help lots of them heal and get healthy! They all have names and their personalities – the staff and volunteers really treat them with respect and dignity. Because it’s a small and growing project, you’re really thrown right into the work. You see something that needs doing and do it. There is no time to wait around – you just need to take initiative! These past 5 weeks have certainly been hard work, and more rewarding than I can say. The staff is INCREDIBLE. Every single one of them works with such patience and determination, it been amazing to watch. The work being done here is truly inspirational! I am so grateful for the time and experience with the whole staff and all the other volunteers who were there with me. I have learned a lot about myself and how far I can push myself. If you are ready to get down and dirty in hard but satisfying work, then I cannot recommended this program enough.

My favorite part of this program was definitely the blending our two cultures. It’s been great realizing how much we have in common, as well as learning about and embracing each other’s differences. It's really changed my outlook, plus I love how much my French has improved! It still baffles me that everyone comes home from school and work (and most businesses close too) in the middle of the day just to have lunch together as a family. I wouldn’t mind doing that every day in America! In a nutshell, I had an amazing time! I've learned so much, and definitely caught the travel bug. I want to do another program after this one already!! I am very happy that I decided to take advantage of this opportunity. I wouldn’t change my experience for anything in the world!

I stumbled across Greenheart Travel's home stay program when I was searching on the internet for a cheap way to travel during a year off I took from university. What I came away with was a phenomenal home stay program with what felt like a second family in a country with adventures that never ceased to amaze me. When I first started looking into doing a home stay in Madrid through Greenheart, I began by sending an email to the generic contact listed on their website. Within a day I had detailed responses to all my questions from my program manager, Megan, and this rapid correspondence was kept up the entire duration of my experience. The application process itself was not too lengthy, but it was still quite substantial & thorough. For me (the meticulously planning-ahead traveller I am), this was a positive thing as I felt it showed Greenheart was putting in more effort to finding me a good fit with my host family. Once I paid the deposit, I got my host family placement in 2 business days! I don't think it normally goes that fast because I think the fact that I am a young woman made it easier to place me as that is more likely to be what host families are looking for. Either way, I was still pleasantly surprised by the speed with which I received my placement. Because I had such a great host family there was never any issue that arose that needed assistance, and although I know Greenheart has in-country contacts and assistance, I cannot speak for that aspect. But whenever I sent an email just keeping in touch with Megan, they were always really quick to reply. Overall I found homestay to be a great travel decision, and Greenheart Travel really made it comfortable and easy by answering all my questions, being more than willing to talk about any questions or concerns I had, being quick in their replies and always staying friendly and professional. I would totally recommend this experience!

As my daughter, Julianna, boarded the plane in August for Ireland, I was excited, nervous, and a little sad. We had been planning this departure for almost a year and Greenheart Travel was extremely helpful through the entire experience. Hope Pavich, High School Program Director, worked closely with us, explaining everything as we got closer and closer to Julianna's departure date. Hope set Julianna up with the most fantastic host family, it was a perfect match. Hope worked with Greenheart's Travel Specialist, Amanda Stevens, to arrange all the plane trips to and from our home city of Detroit. Julianna trip was not without problems. Her flight out of Detroit was very late. Her luggage was lost for days. She was sick and had to visit the pharmacist three times. But worst of all her flights back home were cancelled over and over due to an untimely monstrous snow storm. Thankfully Amanda made it her personal mission to get my girl home. While many people were stuck sleeping in airports, Julianna was belted in her seat (3 days late) flying the unfriendly skies home. I know many parents worry about sending a high school student across the sea for five months, living in a foreign country with strangers. But I am here to attest to the fact that Julianna's semester abroad was the experience of a lifetime. She came back more mature, more confident, more independent, and fully prepared to go off to college in the fall.

Volunteer teaching through Greenheart Travel was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. I want to study and work in international education in the future and I believe I gained invaluable experience in the field that is directly related to my future career goals. Working with many different teachers and age groups (anywhere from 9-14 years old) was very challenging and kept me on my toes. I definitely had my work cut out for me but most teachers were very accommodating and gave me a lot of freedom and independence in the classroom. My school and housing were in a great location, right outside of Torino, which made it easy to explore, though a bit difficult to travel throughout Europe. My homestay placement was better than I could have asked for and I became extremely close with my family. My host family made my experience memorable and unfortunately, I believe this experience is heavily contingent on your host family and how much effort you put in in trying to get to know them. For some program participants, such as myself, it's an experience of a lifetime, for others, not so much. I would recommend this program to volunteers wanting complete cultural immersion in a temporary teaching position but I would suggest getting some sort of TEFL certification beforehand. Greenheart is also very supporting, resourceful, and responsive, but their partner organization in Italy, WEP, is disorganized and sometimes unhelpful. Still, if you're independent and willing to put the time and effort into your host family and school, it is certain to be a life changing experience.

I want to say a big, genuine, and heartfelt "thank you" for all the personal touches that Megan (my program manager) & the Greenheart Travel team gave me. My experience in Sicily on the homestay program was transformative and it is, without a doubt, the best experience I have had in my life thus far. I was not prepared to be so fully embraced by my host family and their friends. They took me on every outing, and I celebrated their birthdays, and other special occasions with them. Everything about my time spent there exceeded my expectations and I returned to Canada firmly believing that the world is full of wonderful people and that traveling is the best way to learn about ourselves and the world around us. When they were dropping me off at the airport and I was saying my last goodbyes, one of the members of the family typed a message for me into the Google Translate app on his phone (yes, google translator is truly a wonderful thing!) He wrote, "Always remember you are a member of our family now," which of course, made me cry (whoops). I think this pretty much sums up what my month was like for me in Sicily. Greenheart Travel not only gave me an experience to travel, to meet new people, to teach English and to learn another language- you also gave me, in a way, another family half a world away that I will cherish always. I can only hope other members who have completed this homestay program have had as much luck as I did with this experience, and I look forward to members from my Sicilian family coming to visit me and my family this summer in Toronto.

I am adjusting very well the family and we are already so close. They are amazing, the girls (my host sisters!) already know a bit of English and I understand Italian so the lessons are going really well. We have done so many amazing things on the weekends already. Everyday is a new adventure. Sicily is so beautiful!

My host family is fantastic, and they've already taken me around to see some great places in the nearby countryside. Rural Italy is so beautiful, I'm happy I'm not placed in a big city. I've also been able to take one of the family's bikes out during the days and explore the nearby town. The adjustment and culture shock was pretty easy for me, and I really love Italy now. Thanks for making this all possible!

I loved my summer camp in Costa Rica. My Spanish improved greatly! Now I can hear and understand Spanish when it's spoken very fast! My speaking still needs improvement but it's just my confidence in the way. My favorite excursion was going to La Paz volcano and waterfalls which was so beautiful! We saw all sorts of animals that I had only seen in books. The culture there was so easy going, we constantly heard the phrase,"Pura Vida" meaning pure life. I would recommend this trip to all highschool students interested in Spanish and the Costa Rican culture! Pura Vida!

Greenheart Travel made applying for the EPIK program so much easier. There is a lot of paperwork and things to organise while completing the application, I would have found it very difficult to get everything together without Kara and Sara's help. In Korea a month now and I love it, definitely a great a decision to come here and I would have never even thought about moving to Korea if it wasn't for Greenheart.

I can't even express how much I miss Ibiza and how badly I want to go back already. The experience was everything I could have asked for and more! The people I met and the relationships I made will absolutely last forever, as well as the experience I gained through work and my volunteer efforts. Everyone at the project is beyond welcoming and they instantly became like a second family to me. We all spent tons of time together, and they went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable and happy. I am enrolled in three intense environmental studies courses, and even in my first week of class I have so much to relate my studies to because of the things I learned while in Ibiza. I didn't fully get a chance to thank Greenheart Travel & Casita Verde for an outstanding experience. It has left an impact on me that will undoubtedly stick and it completely changed my lifestyle. Thank you for everything, and I will absolutely be traveling through Greenheart again.

It has been great so far! I was expecting the time to fly by super fast, but luckily it has not! I love it in my small French town. I'm kind of near Bordeaux and it is so beautiful and there is so much to see! I’m getting along great with the family and teaching Clara (my host mom) English while they help me learn French. I think this program is so rewarding!

I would like to thank Greenheart Travel and everyone who made the trip possible. The entire experience was unforgettable and I will remember every moment for the rest of my life. I cannot put into words my gratitude for being able to participate in such an incredible program. I met amazing people, I visited a beautiful country, and I was able to help precious wildlife. The staff in Costa Rica were so welcoming and accompanied me through every step as I landed. My host family made me feel comfortable in a new environment and gave me another perspective into foreign lifestyle. Through my experiences, I have acquired a plethora of new, life-long friends in Costa Rica and my host family. I cannot thank you enough for giving me an opportunity of a lifetime.

I was honestly a little nervous about doing a homestay with a single host mom but she is so social and it hasn't been a problem at all! She invites me to lots of social events, like a birthday party or a bbq at her daughters house. And on Wednesday's, I go for a morning run with the 62 year old neighbor and she gives me vocab lessons. At night, I tag along as my host mom coaches track at the local school. I'm also loving exploring the city on my own and have lots of independent time. I just can't believe how fast it's going by already! I only have a month left, but I am loving every minute of my time here. Thanks again to Greenheart Travel for making this great experience possible! I'm definitely learning a lot!

The staff members at the wildlife sanctuary were some of the most passionate and generous people I know. They were instructive, kind, friendly, and made me feel very welcome. The staff at Greenheart is awesome too, because they helped me prepare for my trip. Everyone I worked alongside have wonderful senses of humor. Do not fear if you do not know how to speak Spanish because the staff will figure out a way to communicate to you what needs to be done. The other teens involved were awesome too! When I was at the sanctuary, I got to know the other students all really well while working alongside them. We even had a celebration together on the last night at my host family's house where everyone came over for dinner!

I am currently living in Thailand and I am doing fantastic! It's funny but my culture shock actually happened in Hua Hin lol! So to be honest, I got through it my first two weeks in Thailand. Now that the shock has gone away I absolutely love it here and my cute little town. I got placed in Ban Phai and couldn't be happier. I truly am experiencing the real Thai culture. Most people here do not speak an ounce of English, so it has been actually kind of cool. The school I work at is a Catholic school and only goes up to age 6. I work with Anuban 2 students, so I have already fallen in love with the adorable kiddies lol! The teachers I work with are absolutely fantastic as well. Overall I can say that my experience has been going very smoothly and I am extremely comfortable here (aside from the disgusting, freaky, vile and terrifying cockroaches... I don't think I will get over how gross they are lmao)! The TESOL course did an awesome job of preparing us for teaching here. I truly recommend it to anyone considering teaching English in Thailand. The course really puts an emphasis on how disorganized the Thai school system can be and I think that really gave us some good insight on what to expect. Therefore, when unexpected things do/have occur you are not as surprised. You kind of just learn to go with it. Thank you Greenheart for everything! :) -Chayla

The application process was tough, lots of paperwork and effort had to be put in....but it was most definitely worth it. Going through Greenheart made the whole process very easy. Sara and Kara were in charge of the application and they are fantastic at what they do. I've been in Korea over a week now and I have only good things to say; the people are amazing, the food is good and the country is beautiful. I'm looking forward to a great year!

I had an amazing time volunteering at Proyecto Asis. The staff was so fun and sweet, they really make sure you're comfortable and have a good time. It was incredible to work hands on with the animals and learn so much about animal trafficking. My host family went above and beyond to make sure I had a good time and got to do everything I wanted to do. Amazing people, amazing wild life, amazing experience.

There are so many interesting and new things to experience every day working at the animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. It's hard work but really fun too. I thought it was really satisfying working with all the cute animals and awesomely nice people. The staff is amazing! No regrets!

I can’t say enough good things about this program! From the beginning stages of the application process to the week before I arrived in Thailand, Greenheart Travel was there to help me with anything I needed. They made the daunting task of moving halfway across the world so incredibly easy. Greenheart truly cares about all of their participants and they go above and beyond to make sure they provide exceptional service to everyone. If you’re thinking of teaching abroad, then definitely go with Greenheart!!! I’m almost done with the first semester at my school and I can’t believe how fast the time has gone by. Thailand is even more amazing than I thought it would be. Everything you’ve heard about Thailand is true. Yes, Thai people really ARE that nice (I’ve been here almost six months and it never ceases to amaze me how nice they are). The food really is THAT good (seriously, it’s amazing). No matter where you end up living in Thailand, if you have the right mindset you will have a great experience. It’s all about being open-minded and being willing to fully immerse yourself in the local culture. ‘ I work for a private school in the city of Korat. The students/staff at my school are definitely the best part of the job. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. My class sizes are really small (around 17 students) so I’ve gotten to know my students very well. Teaching English can be very demanding at times but when I see the improvement in my students’ skills in English it makes all of my hard work worthwhile! All I can say is that I highly recommend this program. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner!! I’ve been here for almost six months now and I plan on staying much longer. This experience has already changed me in so many positive ways. I can’t wait to see what else my time in Thailand has in store for me ☺

I've always wanted to travel the world, but knew I would probably never make enough money or have enough paid vacation time off from my "big girl job" of 7 years to do it for leisure. About a year ago, I started doing some research and came across GreenHeart Travel. They seemed to have way better internet reviews, and seemed to be one of the most reputable companies out there, so...I made my first step toward a way cooler life and applied. I'm going to advise you right now....APPLY. After being accepted into the program, Sara, from Greenheart Travel, was there for me every step of the way. She made sure I had all the information I needed about applying for my visa, how to book my flight, what to expect when I got to Thailand, and anything else I had questions or concerns about. It was such a smooth and easy process. Although I only met Sara through Skype during my initial interview, I feel like we have been friends for a long time. She is GREAT and so, so helpful. One of the things I really like about GreenHeart is that, even after you have paid them the money for the program, you aren't just forgotten about. This is not a company that is looking to collect your money. GreenHeart Travel is a company that truly believes experiencing an adventure abroad is important, not only to grow as an individual, but for those in other parts of the world to grow and learn, as well. I really believe that. Sara keeps up with all of us through Facebook and e-mail, and is still there for us if we have any issues. Greenheart Travel's job is to get you there smoothly with all of the information that you will need to proceed to your next step. Once you arrive in Thailand, you are then handed over to another great company called XploreAsia. This is the company that teaches the TESOL course, as well as the company that works with you to place you in your school. The XploreAsia team is who you will do all of your cultural excursions with during your first week... which are AMAZING, by the way. I chose the TESOL course in Chiang Mai and I LOVED it there. The XploreAsia staff are wonderful, down to earth people, just like those at Greenheart Travel. You might be placed 10 hours away from where you do your TESOL course with XploreAsia, but they will help you arrange all of your travel, to assure that you get to your placement location. Once you are placed in the new town, village, or city that you will be calling home for at least the next 6 months, you will be working directly will an agent. These agents work hand in hand with XploreAsia, so they are often in contact with one another. The agent is who you will contact locally for any questions or issues about your town, your job, obtaining a work permit once you begin teaching, visa extensions, etc. fyi...(GET A WORK PERMIT) I live in a city in the south of Thailand called Trang. It's an amazing location, because you get the city with all of the amenities you need, but are also very close to rural areas, beautiful waterfalls, and about 40 K from the coast. I am a short 2 hour taxi/ bus ride to Krabi, so I go there about once a month to relax on the beaches. I absolutely LOVE it. The only thing I wish I would have known, is...you need a decent amount of money to get you through the first 2 months here. You will NOT start getting paid until the month after you have been working. $1500 is probably not going to be enough to last you, unless you are very, very frugal. I would take about $1500 with you in cash, but make sure you have about another $1,000 in a bank back home that you can access. You can use your ATM/debit cards at any ATM here to withdraw money. Also, try to pay off all credit card/ car loan debts before you come here. You do not want to be making payments on things when you are only making 30,000 THB per month. 30,000 THB is PLENTY to live on here in Thailand, but its not much, when converted over to USD. So...GET YOUR FINANCES SQUARED AWAY BEFORE YOU GET HERE. Student loans can be deferred or put in forbearance for the time you are here, which means you do not have to make payments. If you have a large financial safety net...aka...mom and dad, then you might not have to worry so much. If you are doing all of this on your own, like me, just make sure you have enough saved. So anyway...If you want to travel abroad, I HIGHLY recommend going with GreenHeart Travel. I would have been completely clueless trying to do this all on my own, and it was just so simple with GreenHeart. If you want to go with an organization that really cares about its participants, go with Greenheart. This has been such an amazing life changing decision for me, and I hope you decide to do the same

First off, I am here with my wife, Sarah. We opted for dual placement from the get-go, so we figured our placement options were going to be slim. Our main preference was to teach somewhere rural as to avoid the heavily tourist spots. We ended up being placed in Trang, which was perfect. Its far enough south of Phuket and Krabi, so there really aren't many tourists. Thai culture is definitely prevalent all throughout Trang, but you can still find a big mall and the occasional American food restaurant (usually with some Thai influence). All the teachers who live here agree it is a great spot to be. Plenty of things to do, yet not so rural where you are searching for civilization. Our school is 45 minutes north of Trang city in a town called Huai Yot. This is where the rural comes in. There were no furnished accommodations to live in Huai Yot, so we decided to live in Trang city. This requires us to ride a motorbike to school everyday - there and back. The roads here are dangerous, because there are no traffic police, and everyone pretty much does whatever they want. Though, driving a motorbike is very nerve-racking and stressful at first, it gets better. I can drive confidently now, but I still will never be able to let my guard down and "cruise" like I can back home. Our school is wonderful. Sarah and I are the only two foreign teachers there, so we get a lot of attention - more attention than either of us are comfortable with. Its all fun though. The teachers there are so welcoming and buy us lunch everyday. They try and speak English and want to learn as well. They also like to teach us Thai language as well. Classroom time is also exhausting. Most classes have about 40-50 students. Sometimes, they are very well behaved and into whatever you are teaching. Sometimes, they are rowdy and will not listen to a word you are saying. Everyone will have classes of both sorts. The best thing to do is make the lessons as fun as possible and focus on the students who really want to learn. They will be the ones benefiting in the end.

The summer of my 18th year was sounding grim, but then I thought why not follow my dreams of traveling and travel before I am in college. So I decided to follow my ancestors to their homeland of Ireland. Amy Neal, my terrific travel coordinator helped through the whole process. Also CCI was a great company to go through, because I could choose where and when I wanted to go. After everything was settled with my host family Miceal and Mary McCormack, I found out there would also be a German girl my age. Later I found out she was Theresa Koch a seventeen year old. I stayed two weeks in Fethard, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. My flight into Dublin was a great view and so my journey began. As soon as I stepped off the plane I felt the friendly atmosphere. I took the two hour bus ride to Cashel to meet Mary. She knew exactly which one I was. The lingo for everything was different, but I caught on in a couple of days of listening. The food was great and always filling. Mary was a great cook. Tea, at least hot was a new experience for me, about three times a day. Bingo is also fun; Mary, Theresa and I went four times a week and just had a fun time with all the ladies. Pubs are another huge part of the culture, and it isn't just for drinking. We went just to enjoy each others company eating Tayto Irish Crisps. Yum! Long walks around the town and countryside completed off our days. It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heart beat.

I have recently come back from my exchange program in Asti, Italy for a semester. I wanted to let you all know how much that experience has changed my life and how much I appreciate all you did for me in making my dream of living in Italy a reality. The minute I started the process of applying I felt so welcomed by your program and I really felt that you all genuinely wanted to help me as much as possible to make my exchange experience the best it could be. I can't even begin to tell you how much my semester in Asti, Italy means to me. Going there and becoming a part of a family on the other side of the world was such a beautiful experience that I will always treasure. I never refer to my Italian family as 'my host family' because we became more to each other than that. We became a real family and I feel so lucky that I now have another set of parents and new brothers and sisters. I miss them all every day and I think of them always. And of course there are all the friends I made as well. Every single person I met there was so compassionate and caring and I'm so happy I got to be part of their lives. I still keep in contact with so many of them and I miss them terribly. Leaving all that behind was the most painful thing I've ever felt. Every day when I wake up I see the Italian flag hanging on my wall I think back to my life there and the unbelievable memories I made there because of all of you. So for that I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Not many people can say their jobs make dreams come true but you all can. Grazie mille per tutto.

Would definitely recommend to others. They have good assistance nearby, really good orientation and good support. I’ll study abroad in Argentina again – I felt at home.