Greenheart Exchange

2026-2027 CSIET Certification Status: Full

Countries Served: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, bulgaria, China, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Gaza West Bank

Number of 2025-2026 Participants: 802 J1

Grant Programs: FLEX and YES

Not-for-Profit Organization: Established 1985 as Center for Cultural Interchange (now Greenheart International)

Greenheart International’s mission of connecting people and planet to create global leaders drives all that we do at Greenheart Exchange and Greenheart Travel.

Since 1985, Greenheart has facilitated thousands of inbound and outbound cultural exchange programs, personal development opportunities, volunteer service initiatives, and environmental advocacy projects. A non-profit based in Chicago, Greenheart is endorsed by the City of Chicago for the promotion of international education, environmental awareness, and citizen diplomacy. Every year, Greenheart sends and receives approximately 10,000 participants who participate on high school exchange programs, Work Travel, Intern/Trainee, and Teach programs, as well as the many options we offer to Americans looking to go abroad. Participants are screened in cooperation with international partners and selected based on language skills, scholastic standing and/or professional skill sets, and motivation.

Greenheart Exchange / J-1 High School Academic Program in the United States—International students ages 15 to 18 ½ travel to the United States for one academic year or semester. Students live with volunteer U.S. host families and attend local high schools. Orientation is provided by Greenheart Exchange partners prior to departure and by Greenheart Exchange Local Coordinators upon arrival. Counseling and supervision are provided throughout the program by our field network. Program fees include medical/accident insurance. Transportation, sending partner fees, and personal expenses are additional.

Greenheart is committed to volunteer service and encourages our participants and hosts to make a difference through environmental and social service projects during their programs. Our students are encouraged to join the Greenheart Club and volunteer in their communities. On average, Greenheart students log about 10,000 hours of volunteer service each year. To support our alumni who wish to give back to their communities, Greenheart awards Global Impact Grants several times a year to fund service projects around the world.