Greenheart Travel

Tag: teen travel

  • Unlocking Independence: The Transformative Power of Sending your Teen Abroad

    Unlocking Independence: The Transformative Power of Sending your Teen Abroad

    by Ana Mirzashvili

    “Cultural exchange programs help build bridges between people and nations!” If you’ve spent any time in this industry, you’ve probably heard that phrase a thousand times. And for good reason—it’s the heartbeat of what we do. Every day, we dedicate ourselves to creating these connections, fostering citizen diplomacy, and opening doors for countless life-changing experiences. We believe in the power of cultural exchange to unlock independence when you send your teen abroad.

    There are so many ways to be a part of this magical journey. You could study abroad, work abroad, enroll in a short-term language course, or even host an international student in your home. No matter which path you choose, you’ll witness firsthand the beauty of two different cultures meeting and learning from each other.

    The Long-Term Impact of Cultural Exchange Programs

    Cultural exchange isn’t just about the short-term benefits, though those are pretty amazing—like rapidly improving language skills. The real magic often shows up in the long run. As time goes by, participants reflect on the subtle ways these experiences shape who they are—their resilience, independence, and empathy for others. It’s the kind of personal growth that sticks with you for a lifetime.

    Take it from me—I was just twelve when my parents sent me on my first cultural exchange. I spent three months in Freiburg, Germany, attending a teen language camp and living with a host family we’d never even met. Family friends were shocked: “Germany? Alone? At 12 years old?” But there I was, navigating school, exploring an unfamiliar town, and adjusting to life in a new home.

    Was it smooth sailing? Absolutely not. I remember calling my parents in tears, complaining about the food, or how small the house felt compared to what I was used to. That’s the thing: when teens arrive in a new culture, their first instinct is to compare everything to home, and at first, all they see are the differences. But eventually, we stop resisting and start absorbing. Slowly, we embrace the beauty of what’s new and different.

    That’s the real magic of cultural exchange—the lessons unfold over time, often long after the program ends. And those lessons? They last a lifetime.

    Take a Leap of Faith

    Fast forward, and I’ve now worked in the cultural exchange industry for almost six years, proudly running programs as a Director of Greenheart Travel. These programs are close to my heart because I’ve been on both sides—as a student and as someone helping today’s teens take that same leap.

    Sending your teen abroad is a huge leap of faith—not just for the student but also for the parents. Trusting your child’s ability to navigate their independence can be hard, even when you know they’re ready. But here’s the thing: by holding back, you risk standing in the way of their chance to grow, explore, and discover their inner confidence.

    For parents about to send their teen abroad, I want to offer a bit of advice: don’t accompany them to their destination. As tempting as it may be to see where they’ll be living, this is often more for your peace of mind than theirs. Instead, say your goodbyes at home and let them make the journey solo. That first solo step—arriving in a new country, meeting their host family, knowing they did it all on their own—that’s a powerful moment. It’s their first win, and it sets the stage for an unforgettable experience.

    Let them fly. You’ll be amazed at how high they soar.

    Ana Mirzashvili

    Thank you Ana for sharing your story! 

    Ready to learn more about Greenheart Travel’s cultural exchange programs for teens? 

  • A Trip I Will Remember Forever: Teen Summer Language Camp in Spain

    A Trip I Will Remember Forever: Teen Summer Language Camp in Spain

    Greenheart Travel believes that travel changes us for the better. It challenges us and gives us more insight and mutual understanding.  That’s why, every year, Greenheart Travel offers First Time Traveler scholarships so that more people have the opportunity to travel. We recently heard from Caleb who won a scholarship to Greenheart Travel’s Teen Summer Language Camp in Spain.  Here’s a little bit about his trip!

    A Trip I will Remember Forever

    My trip in Salamanca, Spain took me 5,662 miles from home, to a new continent, with new culture and new people. It was a trip I will remember forever, and it is a trip that truly succeeded in encouraging positive growth in me and my peers!

    When I first got to Spain I was utterly entranced by the sheer idea that I was so far and so free in an extremely beautiful new land. The serotonin from the increased independence lasted throughout the entire trip, and even shows its lasting effects on my independence here at home.

    My experience with adapting to the culture in Salamanca was not as rocky as I had anticipated. I found myself doing remarkably better at understanding Spanish rather than speaking it, and was even able to form beautiful bonds with many of the locals. I did this through a universal social tactic that relies more on my empathetic and sympathetic capabilities. Being able to communicate with these new people even through a language barrier was truly what brought me so much closer to the culture in Salamanca, Spain.

    Breaking the discomfort and immersing myself in the experience is what ultimately freed me, it enabled me to retain much of the information and culture, so not only do I have photos but I have strong, established memories that will continue to make me smile for a lifetime.

    One of my favorite aspects of the trip was the large amounts of free-time students were granted, where you were 100% independent and alone (unless you were with friends or roommates). This was extremely helpful in breaking the ice and helping students through culture shock. I personally loved walking down the beautiful alleyways and admiring the old architecture. Other than sight-seeing, the hours of independence we got allowed us to do much more, such as going to lunch as a group or watching the many street performances. These activities helped to round out the entire experience, and for me they are what made it all the more valuable.

    I believe everyone should do a program like this once in their life. The itinerary and organization of the program was what helped students to acclimate so fast, and immediately begin reaping the benefits of being in another country, rather than focusing on possible negative aspects like being home-sick. There was so much to do and so much to see, and the fact that we were actually able to do and see those things created such an exciting environment that it was hard to have time to be sad about anything (unless you were hearing one of the many historical tragedies that occurred in Salamanca).

    Overall this trip was a much deeper experience then I had first thought. Of course whenever you drastically change your surroundings other things are bound to change as well, but nothing could have prepared me for the profoundness that came out of just communicating with these people. Knowing that I have the ability to travel the world, alone, meet new people, alone, and do all of these things successfully is one of the most valuable things I have learned this year. For all this program has given me I am so grateful, and thank you Salamanca for having me!

     

    Thank you Caleb for sharing your experience!  If you’d like to learn more about Greenheart Travel’s scholarships, please visit our First Time Traveler section!

  • Q&A With High School Abroad Italy Student: Daily Life in Italy

    Q&A With High School Abroad Italy Student: Daily Life in Italy

    When you study abroad, you find out that almost always, no matter where you are in the world, we all do the same things: eat, go to school, spend time with friends, and so on. But as you move through your new home, you’ll start to notice all sorts of small differences. Sometimes these are best part — and the things you’ll soonest forget when you return back home. We wanted to know what our 2020 First-Time Traveler Scholarship Recipient Jessica Durnell had to say about daily life in Italy.

    What kind of food/snacks do you eat during school?

    There is no lunch at Italian schools, since school usually ends around the same time that other schools have lunch. Instead, there’s usually a small break that you can eat a snack. You can bring
    something from home or go to a vending machine    … although I’m not really sure if every Italian school has a vending machine, but every one I’ve been in, there has been one. Quite strange,
    since in America it was basically illegal for a student to even touch the vending machine, haha.

    What is transportation to school like?

    There is no school buses in Italy. Instead, students take the public bus or the train. It’s fun to take the public bus, since there is no basic public transport in America unless you live in a big city –
    you need a car. The downside of public transport when going to school, though, is that you have to pay for each trip to and from    … and the cost can rack up quite quickly for only a few weeks.

    Jonathan Bean via Unsplash

    How are classrooms different in Italy?

    Italian classrooms are also very different. In stead of how students move around every 45 minutes or so in America, the teachers move around instead. Where I went to school in Italy,
    sometimes we could change buildings every other day since our school wasn’t big enough to hold everyone.

    How is the school schedule different in Italy?

    School gets out extremely early. Compared to American schools (and other schools around the world), Italian school gets out just before one o’clock. It starts at around 7:45 AM in the morning
    (which I didn’t know until two months of going to school, I was perpetually late). It’s around the same time American schools start, probably later than most, my American public school started
    15 minutes earlier, after all.

    Is the relationship between the teachers and the students any different?

    Greeting teachers when they walk in the morning is also very different. In America, I will say, we are not as respectful to each other. Even the teachers aren’t (well, it depends on the teacher,
    some don’t care and others do, it’s exchangeable) too worried about saying good morning to everyone. In Italy, everyone says good morning and goodbye to the teacher when they come and
    leave. And when the teacher walks into the classroom, everyone stands up from their seats until the teacher tells you to sit down. The students in my classroom only did this for a select few, so albeit it was something you were supposed to do, it didn’t seem that strict.

    Vitalii Chernopyskyi via Unsplash.

    How much different is pizza/how do they eat pizza in Italy?

    For some reason, when I ate pizza in America, whenever someone (or I) would fold their pizza over to eat it, someone would say that Italians would make fun of you if you did that in front of
    them. When I went to Italy I was mortified when everyone folded their pizza over. Everything my friends from 5th grade had told me had been a lie (what a surprise).

    How much different is pizza/how do they eat pizza in Italy?

    Compared to America pizza, pizza is much thinner. It’s easy to eat a whole pizza, compared to the big thick stuff that is painfully American. I also got many questions about whether or not I put
    pineapple on my pizza, which Italians see as a sin. I’m being serious. Every time I answered their question with no, I would hear a sigh of relief. When in reality I have never seen so many toppings that can go on pizza while I was in Italy. There was hotdogs and fries. You can put anything on a pizza. (Except pineapple).

    What plays on Italian TV?

    Italians have their own cartoons, which is pretty obvious. I never watched TV though, I will admit. I grew up with tapes and DvDs in America instead of cable, so I’m not used to it. There is a
    lot of America shows that are dubbed in italian that play on TV which I did recognize, and it’s rather amusing to see how the characters voices transferred over.

    There’s anime on TV. Which surprised me and my American friends (and we were extremely jealous). One Piece, Detective Conan, and Dragon Ball; the only channel I know of that played
    anime in America is Adult Swim, but I didn’t have cable, so I couldn’t watch anything anyways when those shows were airing. Plus I wasn’t even born yet. A lot of people here grew up
    watching One Piece without even knowing what it was, which I think is really cool    … and something I will forever be jealous over.

  • What Can You Gain from One Month in Spain?

    What Can You Gain from One Month in Spain?

    In 2017, Dane Chilton’s family welcomed an exchange student named Juan through Greenheart Exchange’s School to School Exchange program. He didn’t know he was about to forge a life-changing friendship that would intertwine their families and inspire international travel. 

    After three weeks of hosting Juan, Dane knew he wanted to see Juan’s home, school, and culture – and of course, improve his Spanish.  

    So Dane – determined to make this trip happen – did all the research and planning. This began the difficult process of getting the approval from his U.S. school to study in Bilbao, Basque Country, for a one-month High School Abroad Spain program.  

    “It was the best experience of my life so far,” says Dane. “It was perfect, if not better, than what I thought it would be.”  

    We wanted to know why, so we asked for Dane’s insight on his daily life, learning the language, school in Spain, best experiences and advice for future students.  

    Life in Spain

    “Every tiny little thing was different, from the times that we ate and when we got home in the afternoon. It was an adjustment, I had difficulty sleeping because there was so much noise,” explains Dane. In the States, Dane lives in a quiet rural area, so moving to the heart of Bilbao, “smack in the middle of the city, a two-minute walk from the soccer stadium and a minute away from Guggenheim,” was a big shift.  

    Still, despite being in an urban area, Dane says that Spain “is definitely a lot slower paced. They had things happening, but not as tightly packed as it was in the States.”  

    Prior to studying in Spain, Dane “went into research mode.” Through his preparations, he had studied the area’s history from B.C. until the present, so he was well-versed in the culture. Still, there’s nothing like learning while physically in the country. “Until you go around with a local, you don’t know anything about the city. You have to get the local feel before you get a sense of what it’s all about,” he says.  

     

    Learning Spanish

    Dane grew up with a Spanish-speaking nanny and studied the language in school, so he already had a base level – but he wasn’t quite ready for the Spanish accent. “The first couple of days were rough because I was using Mexican slang and that wasn’t working – I called him pregnant when I mean to say he was cool,” he laughs.  

    Now, he uses Spanish slang words like “chulo” and “vale” and he says that his comprehension went from around 75% to 100% in a month. By the end of his time in Bilbao, he was dreaming and thinking in Spanish. Now that he’s back in the States, his nanny commented that his Spanish was much better. “I can hold a conversation a lot better,” he says. 

    School in Spain

    Dane studied at a private religious school called Colegio Urdaneta. He took math, history, economy, law, religion, and Basque. Since it was a religious school, they prayed several times a day.

    While it’s hard to narrow down which specific experiences are the best, Dane had a few to share. First, he says, was a soccer game. “I don’t really like soccer, but it was like how on earth can you yell this loud?! These people are insane, but in a good way!” he explains.  

    He also said he loved visiting the Guggeheim on a trip to Madrid he took with his host family, and a historical site called San Juan de Gazteluatxe.  

    Some of the most impactful moments, though, were the simple day-to-day activities. “Nothing made me happier than walking home (sometimes at like, 11:30 or midnight!), just walking on the street, and speaking Spanish. That was the best feeling ever,” he says.  

    Advice for Traveling as a Teen

    You had a lot of no’s – from parents, school administrators, etc.  before you had this trip approved. What’s your advice to other students trying to go abroad?  

    “Stay consistent,” Dane explains. “If you really want to do this type of thing you really have to do your research and know what you’re talking about. Don’t let one “no” shut you down. I had at least 14 “no’s”, but I was always one step further than “no.” And all those little steps finally got me to where I am.”  

     Regrets

    Dane studied for one month, but he admits he should have done something differently. “I will say that I should have done longer than a month. Right when a month was ending was when I really started to feel like I was settling in. I think a trimester would have been a good time.  It was a perfect amount of time though – I didn’t feel homesickness at all,” he said, “Maybe I’ll go back.” 

  • For Every Parent Who is Hesitant to Let Their Child Go Abroad

    For Every Parent Who is Hesitant to Let Their Child Go Abroad

    Maybe it surprised you when your teen brought up the notion of traveling on their own, or perhaps they have talked about it for years. While they are thrilled by the idea of exploring a new country, you might not share the same excitement. We get it, you want to protect your child and make the best decisions for them. However, if it is hard to imagine your child traveling without you, then that’s all the more reason they should go.

    This post will address the top concerns from parents who are hesitant to say “yes” to their child’s pleads to study or volunteer abroad.

    “I don’t understand why my teen wants to travel.”

    Like any of your child’s interests, it’s important to listen to why it’s something they enjoy. Are they passionate about reforestation in Puerto Rico? Do they love Spanish art? Fascinated by the history of pop culture influence in Japan? You do not need to share the same feelings, but taking the time to learn about why your child is interested in other cultures shows that you care about being a part of their life.

    “Traveling is expensive.”

    You’re right. And so are piano lessons, theatre camp, football equipment, and really any activity that your child gets involved in. It’s just a matter of choosing what takes a priority.

    A lot of teens who travel pay for their program themselves by getting a job or fundraising. It builds work ethic, budgeting skills, and doesn’t cost you a thing.

    Graham Green sky diving while studying abroad in New Zealand

    “But we travel as a family.”

    A family vacation can be educational, but it is not the same thing as a cultural immersion experience. Studying or volunteering abroad is not a long-term vacation. Teens learn what normal life is like in another country. A lot of things will feel a lot harder, like communicating with peers or learning cultural practices. These are the parts that feel so rewarding.

    Traveling without family allows for that room to grow. Teens are expected to adapt and figure things out for themselves, within a safe and structured environment. Traveling without people they already know is the reason why teens call their time abroad the most influential experience in their life. It’s the first time they really feel independent and capable on their own.

    “It’s not safe.”

    This is probably the number one concern for parents, and rightly so. You don’t have first-hand experience of the country, and trusting other people with the most important thing in your life, your family, seems insane.

    The truth is that even the safest places in the world seem daunting if you are unfamiliar with the area.  Traveling through a program provider is so important because the locations have been specifically selected, host families have been vetted, and thousands of other people have done it before you.

    “They just saw someone else do it on social media.”

    We urge everyone to reflect on the true reasons they want to travel. If you wouldn’t travel without a camera, then maybe you should reevaluate what it is you’re trying to accomplish.

    Ask your teen what it is they are looking to get out of the experience. You may be surprised by their thoughtful response. We have found that most travelers are interested in world issues, developing communication skills, or being pushed out of their comfort zones. Our programs are designed with that in mind.

    Surf lessons at Teen Summer Language Camp in Costa Rica

    “Whatever they want to do abroad they can do here.”

    We can only speak for ourselves, but our programs offer excursions and activities that are authentic and specific to the country, like learning how to make stroopwafels in the Netherlands, anime courses in Japan, or elephant conservation research in Sri Lanka.

    Even doing the same mundane activities abroad will be a different experience because travelers are interacting locals. This is when people truly grasp the similarities and differences between cultures.

    “Going to high school abroad is too much of a time commitment. They will miss out on a lot.”

    High schools outside of the US have the same clubs and sports that exchange students are welcome to join. For example, our First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient, Fiona MacDonald joined a local hockey team in Sweden so she could continue her sport while abroad.

    Friends will still be here when they return. The time apart will allow your child to develop a sense of who they are as a person independently from their friends by developing leadership skills and core values.

    There is so much more to gain from traveling than there is to lose. If your child wants to be an exchange student abroad, then they have most likely already weighed the pros and cons and have decided that missing a trimester, semester, or year is worth it for them.

    Tess Wallace Tess with her host mom at the Albacete Half Marathon while studying abroad in Spain

    “It will hurt them getting into college.”

    This is another very common fear parents have about their child studying abroad. The college application process is more competitive than ever, so doing anything out of the ordinary might seem like it would hurt your child’s chances of getting into their dream school.

    Studying abroad makes a college application stand out; it serves as an example of how your teen is not only ready for college but that they will thrive in it. Showcasing the ability to grow in a totally new environment, being self-motivated, and passionate about learning are all things that colleges look for in their students.

    “But I will miss them.”

    They will miss you too. But they will return feeling accomplished with a newfound appreciation for the world around them. What more can you ask for as a parent?

  • What to Know Before, During, and After Your Teen Goes Abroad

    What to Know Before, During, and After Your Teen Goes Abroad

    So, your teen has asked to go abroad, huh? It can be hard to grapple with the common fears: “What if they get lost? Is it safe? What if they want to come home? What if I want them to come home?”

    And what makes everything a bit harder is not having another parent who you can talk things through, who can specifically relate to the process. The logistics and paperwork are complicated enough without having another person who knows what it’s like to have their child on the other side of the world.

    We think one of the best ways to help prepare you for your child to study abroad is to read about another parent’s perspective. In order to gather and present the first-hand experience, we asked Mary Scott some questions about how she felt before, during, and after sending her daughter, Emmy, abroad.

    What were some of your biggest worries about sending Emmy abroad? How did you overcome them?

    One of the issues I was worried about was that Emmy would have airline problems, such as a flight being delayed or canceled. This actually happened and when she called us from the airport, we just talked through it, and she figured out what to do. Greenheart’s team kept her calm and helped her schedule a new flight. My husband and I knew then that we had put her in the right hands. 

    Another worry that I had was that she would miss home too much, or rather that I would miss her not being at home too much. But I knew this was something she had been interested in for two years leading up to her applying. She wanted to have this experience for more than just being able to post pictures of it on Instagram; she wanted to improve her Spanish fluency and learn about another culture, and being immersed is the best way to do that. 

    What did you feel as a parent during each step of the process (before, during, after the program)? How did you see Emmy grow?

    As Emmy is a very motivated person and traveling abroad is something she really wanted to do, I feel like my husband Wes and I just sat back and let her do her thing. She researched Greenheart, read a lot of blogs about other students’ experiences and found out everything that she needed to do (paperwork, etc.) She basically let us know what she needed to do and when and earned money for the trip by selling our maple syrup at farm markets, redeeming cans and bottles, and her part-time job. I know this was a great experience for her as far as making sure she had all her ducks in a row. 

    While she was abroad, we made sure we weren’t constantly bombarding her with texts and skype calls which at first was difficult. However, we knew she would have a more enriching experience if she wasn’t having to think about us back in Michigan the whole time. We wanted her to be able to completely devote herself to speaking Spanish and learning about her new environment. 

    Emmy grew in more ways than we couldn’ve imagined. While she was very motivated and independent before, she grew almost tangible confidence from her program. After that summer in Salamanca, she went into her senior year of high school and signed herself up for Spanish classes at a community college nearby and received credit that she could later use for her degree when she went to university. She found a Spanish tutor as well. She did all of this not because she hadn’t learned enough in Spain, but because she found her passion there and wanted to continue her growth. 

    What was it like traveling with Emmy two years after her program in Spain? How did you see her program affect her life in a positive way?

    Oh my gosh! It was so awesome! I’d only been to England, Scotland, and Wales on a tour thirty years earlier and my husband, Wes, has never been overseas, although we’ve traveled many times throughout the U.S as a family. Spain was such a great country. With Emmy being so fluent in Spanish and knowing how to travel from one part of Spain to another, it was a great experience. I was so proud of her conversing with the locals and even being able to help other tourists when we were hiking part of El Camino de Santiago in Galicia. At one point she was able to help a sick woman on the trail find somewhere to stay for the day when she couldn’t speak to any of the hostel owners and they couldn’t speak to her. Emmy handled the situation perfectly!

    What advice would you give to other parents who haven’t traveled abroad before?

    I don’t know what advice I can give to other parents except to let your child do as much as possible in the planning of his/her cultural exchange program and when a problem comes up, discuss the different ways it can be solved instead of jumping in and telling them what to do. Make sure they have a realistic expectation of how much the trip will cost and how they can contribute to the expense. 

    What were some ways you supported Emmy while abroad?

    We kept in contact with her on Whatsapp. That worked out pretty well. She would send us pictures and small videos, also. She knew she could contact us if she had any concerns so we tried not to bother her too much! When she got homesick (which wasn’t very often) we reminded her that her feelings were valid and suggested that she take a walk or talk with her host family to see if there was anything they could do to make her more comfortable. We also sent her pictures of the dogs to cheer her up!