Greenheart facilitates cultural exchange for people all over the world. We believe in the power of getting to know one another and how that mutual understanding becomes diplomacy at its finest. Cultural exchange programs offer people the opportunity to work or study in a place often very different from their hometowns. And the benefits spread far beyond the person doing the exchange…there is positive impact on the hosts and on the community. This is why Greenheart joined forces with the The Alliance for International Exchange this summer to increase awareness and understanding about the benefits of international exchange programs.

Renee Clarke, long-time Greenheart Work and Travel recruiter (and cheerleader), shares her perspective on this Summer of Action initiative.

Working with Greenheart Exchange’s Summer Work Travel program for a 10^th summer this year….I can tell you: it feels different. 

Some can say it is “post-pandemic” or “in this economy” or some other external factor, but what I am seeing is the energy all our stakeholders are bringing — the energy of being part of something bigger. 

In late July, my colleague, Kacey Nichols and I traveled to Ocean City, Maryland as part of the Summer of Action.  Summer of Action is an initiative The Alliance for International Exchange is leading to increase awareness and understanding of the benefits of international exchange programs on Americans and on their local communities. Our shared goal is to engage with Legislators, Host Organizations, and communities to share the ways in which educational and cultural exchanges make states and districts stronger. 

As part of this trip, we had the opportunity to visit the office and fantastic team of Representative Andy Harris (MD-01), and demonstrate how the work we all do with BridgeUSA cultural exchange programs is part of something bigger — bigger than: “just a summer job in a seasonal community” or “just another season with international students” or “just a few hours of volunteering”.  

Gathering in the Representative Harris’s Salisbury office with his congressional staff members, we discussed how the BridgeUSA participants elevate the community and everyone gets to be a part of the bigger mission: building bridges of understanding between cultures. 

Constituent Liaison, Mary Foley and Director of Operations & District Outreach, Keith W. Graffius gave us the opportunity to share the positive financial influx that the Summer Work Travel participants have on the local and state economy. Sharing statistics and data for the State of Maryland that the Alliance produces, the team got to see data behind the positive impact they and their constituent business owners report season after season. 

This sit-down provided the opportunity for all attendees to share stories from Summer Work Travel participants and their host employers. We discussed stories of volunteering in the community and of overcoming housing challenges and of finding a balance in working and traveling safely around Ocean City. The stories highlight the everlasting impact and opportunity of personal development many participants experience and the unique friendships built during their program. Testimonials also showed how Americans, through the simple exposure to participants from around the world, get a glimpse into a variety of countries and cultures while they are enjoying the beautiful beaches and amazing shops, restaurants, entertainment outlets and hotels the Summer Work Travel participants service! 

Further, we touched on how the local community provides additional and essential outreach and ongoing support through the Ocean City Summer Work Travel Committee. This community support group also helps keep the community educated on concerns such as overstays and housing. 

Walking away from our meeting with the team, Greenheart is proud of the work we do ahead of the season to prepare our participants, the support and connections during the season, and we are looking forward to post-season feedback to make future summers in Ocean City even stronger. 

Connecting with Legislators, talking directly with the participants, checking in with the employers and business owners, and seeing the fun exchanges between guests and international students firsthand, really highlighted how we are all part of the bigger picture. We all benefit from diplomacy and mutual understanding and cultural exchange.

Thank you Renee for sharing your experience.

Are you interested in hosting international university students to staff your seasonal business? Visit HirewithGreenheart.org to learn more and apply.