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Greenheart

About

Greenheart Travel is a 501(c)3 non-profit, mission-driven organization based in Chicago, USA. We are passionate about providing immersive cultural experiences for teenagers and adults in countries all over the world.

We believe in the power of travel; a power that broadens perspective and turns strangers into family. It’s this belief that motivates us at Greenheart Travel to provide life-changing adventures for anyone with a case of wanderlust. We’re your personal cheerleaders as you navigate the unpredictable joys, surprises, and challenges of life abroad. With unrivaled support and guidance, Greenheart Travel gives you the tools to make sure you’re more than a tourist, you’re a world citizen. You don’t just travel for the sights, you travel for a change.

Reviews

Default avatar
Mana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teach abroad in Thailand!

I choose to teach abroad to push myself out of my comfort zone and it is amazing! Greenheart travel provided so much support while I was back in my home country and they allowed for a smooth transition to XploreAsia! Go with them for lots of support when moving to a new country. They answered all my questions and even had a few informational sessions before I left to help me with the required documents. The staff gets back to you by email so fast and it made me feel more comfortable and confident before I left to Thailand.

Pros
  • Lots of support
  • Easy to make friends with peers and in TESOL course
  • Clear pre departure instructions
Cons
  • Very fast process
  • Had to accept teaching contract longer than expected
  • Not a lot of information about culture show
Default avatar
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GreenHeart Teaching English in Thailand

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.

Pros
  • Great Communication
  • Easy Transition
  • Very informative and useful when it came to info. about visas, placement, accomadation, etc
Default avatar
Alessandra
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good support during COVID

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!

Pros
  • the kids will change your life
  • lots to explore in Thailand
  • able to live comfortably on the salary
Cons
  • hot...all the time...enough said
  • had to design lessons entirely by ourselves
  • location makes travel slightly inconvenient
Default avatar
Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Must for Peace of Mind!

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.

Pros
  • Help with each and every step in the process
  • Meet like minded people
  • Lots of practice during course
Cons
  • Course work load can be heavy at times
Default avatar
Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Expert Service and Peace of Mind!

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.

Pros
  • Timely advice and help
  • Immersive course and introduction week
  • Connect with like-minded individuals
Cons
  • Course load can be heavy at times

Programs

Displaying 1 - 9 of 34

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Grace Johnson

Grace Johnson

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because it had everything I wanted.

Prior to choosing Greenheart, I did a LOT of research comparing other study abroad agencies, and this one was the most cost-efficient and also had all of the things I was looking for in a program, including Japanese lessons (check!) and a homestay (check!). Those two things were really important to me because I wanted the most immersive experience possible, and I found that staying with a host family made a HUGE difference in the amount of Japanese I used and learned.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

They assisted me with lots of information about my destination beforehand and provided me with a 40-page guide to my program. It included all of the technical information about the program as well as tips about carrying money, health, and safety, protocols for missed flights, etc. I found the information about cultural differences most helpful though.

The guide explained subtle differences in ideas, values, and attitudes beyond taking off your shoes in the genkan or keeping things very tidy. There was also a pre-departure online orientation where participants could ask questions and I connected with a few people before the program.

In terms of what I had to do on my own, I was responsible for organizing my flight, packing, and figuring out transportation to and from school. There was a lot of assistance prior to the program, but once you get picked up by your host family at the airport, you're pretty much on your own, but it wasn't challenging or scary.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Don't be afraid to venture outside of the basic itinerary of your program or to try something new. The best experience from my whole trip was a hike that was completely unrelated to the weekend trips at the language school (GenkiJACS). A friend of a friend who I met at GenkiJACS said I could come on a hike to a shrine at the top of a mountain, and it was probably the best day of my life. I was hesitant to go at first because it was with a lot of people I didn’t know too well from the school, and I knew my parents probably would’ve said “no” to me going with them. I’m a goody-two-shoes, so at home, I would’ve told them I probably couldn’t come along, however, my gut told me this could be something really amazing, and it was.

Japan was actually getting hit with the edge of a typhoon at the time, so the hike started off with a light drizzle which turned into a downpour as we neared the top and eventually climbed back down. It was the toughest hike of my life but I got to learn a little bit about everyone on the hike, made friends, and shared an experience that all of us will remember forever. The view at the top was incredible and the wind was so strong it made the rain hurt, but we all couldn’t stop smiling.

When we came back down, there was a festival that happened to be going on at a shrine at the base of the mountain and the people there were very kind and offered us some food and explained to us what was going on. We probably looked kind of crazy--9 Western hikers coming out of the mountain completely drenched, but they were friendly anyway.

If I hadn’t gone with my gut and ventured out of my comfort zone, that whole experience never would’ve happened, so trust yourself and take advantage of the opportunities that come!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

For the first half of my trip or so, a school day would look something like this:

I would get up anywhere between 7 and 9 in the morning to get ready for class. On days when I had later classes though (the schedule varied between morning, afternoon, and late afternoon classes) I might not do anything until about 10. My host mom made me breakfast literally EVERY morning, which was extremely kind of her, so I would usually eat it and talk to her or if she had to leave in the morning I might eat it by myself. Then I would get ready for school and ride the bus to Hakata Eki. From there, I would walk about 7 minutes to school and go to class.

Class was fun and the teachers were always very nice and patient. Most of the class is taught in Japanese, which I thought I would struggle with, but it was actually very understandable. Depending on my class schedule for the day, I would either eat lunch between classes or afterward. If I had to eat between classes, I would usually go to the nearby FamilyMart (a convenience store) and if I was eating after class, I would go to Hakata Eki (walk) or Tenjin (walk or bus) to try different foods at the food stalls. When I had time, I would pick little sections of the city to explore before going back to my host family’s house for dinner. Sometimes I would buy postcards at Hakata Eki and mail them at a Japan Post or withdraw money from one of the ATM spots that are next to the post offices.

When I got home, I would shower and then eat dinner with my host family. We would talk about our days and I usually had my dictionary app ready so I could look up words I didn’t know. This is where a lot of cultural exchange and vocabulary expansion took place. Then I would do my homework in the family room and talk to my host dad and sister while they watched TV and go to bed.

For the second half of my trip, my schedule was essentially the same except I spent a lot more time out with friends in the evening and would sometimes go to dinner with them. My weekends were pretty varied. Sometimes I would go on trips with the school, sometimes on excursions with friends, and other times my host family would very kindly take me places.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I don’t think I had anyone fear that was particularly intimidating, but I was probably most concerned about my interactions with my host family. I was worried that I would end up spending a month with a host family with whom my relationship would be awkward or negative. However, I ended up with the best host family I could ask for!

I tried asking questions and learning about them despite my broken Japanese, which really helped build a positive relationship with them. Dinners with them also had a huge impact on our closeness and I was actually able to open up to them about more personal issues because we’d all become accustomed to patience when trying to explain things over the language barrier.

Something I was more minorly concerned with was how people in Japan would react to my ethnicity. I’m half Caucasian half African American and have type 4 hair and a tan, so I wasn’t sure how that would go over in such a homogeneous country where fair skin and silky straight hair are considered beautiful. However, I wore my hair out many times anyway and, to my surprise, I got nothing but compliments!

There were multiple Japanese strangers who told me how cool and beautiful my hair was and I actually ended up doing a modeling shoot with a hairstylist! People were also very complimentary of my skin and eyelashes, and my trip ended up being quite the confidence booster!

How did you convince your parents to let you go on your trip?

Lots and lots of research.

My parents are extremely overprotective so I researched practically everything you could worry about and more. I researched at least 10 programs before choosing one and read the fine print of every policy. I made a slide presentation with the program details, cost estimates on the high and low sides, program reviews (from this site actually!), country safety, etc., and even that wasn’t enough at first. My dad made me email the Greenheart staff about whether or not they surveyed their program graduates because he wanted to know if they cared about improving the program and alumni feedback (he’s very business-oriented). The staff were very nice and provided me with all of the information he asked for. Additionally, he made me check the policies on Go Overseas to make sure they didn’t let companies pay them to write fake reviews, research whether or not there were radiation safety issues, and more.

The important thing is to be patient with your parents. There were many times when I thought the amount of detail they wanted was over-the-top, but I kept my composure despite my frustration and got them everything they asked for because I knew they just wanted me to have a great experience.

Stay calm, manage your tone, and don’t be afraid to email people persistently to get the information you need. It’s tedious but well worth the experience you’ll have once you get through the tough part.

Don’t give up!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Zoe Coulter

Job Title
Work Abroad Program Manager
From the moment that Zoe began writing to her pen pal from Germany at age 12, she began looking for any opportunity to learn about diverse cultures. She has spent time traveling throughout Europe and Central America, spending more extensive periods of time studying in Spain and working in Costa Rica. Today, she manages the work abroad programs at Greenheart Travel.
Zoe Coulter

What is your favorite travel memory?

Back in 2015, I was in Puerto Limon staying at a hostel and I met an artisan from Peru who was passing through on his way to Nicaragua. He took the time to show me how he crafted rings and bracelets. We also spent time chatting about how our own cultures differed. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about his work, travels, and his home country. I believe that the best way to learn about another culture is to get to know the people.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working for a mission-based non-profit has inspired me to give back to my local community. Our company culture has really bled into my personal life and now I think I use my free time a lot more purposefully. I’m constantly looking for opportunities to mentor and volunteer throughout Chicago. Volunteering my time has become something that I sincerely enjoy.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

It is great to see the growth that each of our travelers undergo during their time abroad. One of our Greenheart Travelers was adamant on honing her Spanish-language skills. Following her journey and hearing about her time working in Argentina was really rewarding. She spoke so transparently about the hardships of trying to grasp a second language—things such as learning a work vocabulary and learning the regional slang were challenging even though she had a good grasp of the grammar before the start of her program.

On top of work, she decided to pick up Spanish classes five days a week. Her days were packed, but the outcome was that she was able to speak Spanish confidently and she felt more comfortable in both social and work situations. As a result of her using her time intentionally to learn a second language and cultivate her Spanish conversational skills, she was able to form deep bonds with her coworkers and the friends that she made while working abroad.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I had the opportunity, I would participate in the Thailand Marketing Internship. Interns can work with two great organizations, one of which is a non-profit dog rescue in Hua Hin. All Greenheart Travel interns get the opportunity to see how the organizations work from the ground up, and interns are encouraged to lead and innovate projects.

I think the program is a fantastic growing experience in the many respects. The first week is devoted to exploring the history and culture of Thailand, which is very interesting. Thai people are so loving and caring and I hear nothing but great things from our interns about how hospitable everyone has been to them. The program is short term, so it is a great way to get your feet wet if this is your first time traveling or if you have a few months open for travel.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I’m proud of the time and effort we take to help our travelers prepare for traveling abroad. We have created multiple resources to address culture shock and to support individuals before departure, during their time abroad, and after returning to their home country. We aim to make sure that our travelers feel prepared in every sense of the word before traveling abroad.

I think a unique aspect about our company is that the whole application process is very personable. For example, I speak with and interview every person that applies to the Work Abroad programs. There isn’t a person who goes through the application process that I don’t know on an individual level. All program managers make themselves available over the phone, via email, and even over mediums like Skype because we really want to connect with every Greenheart Traveler and ensure that they feel supported.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Believing in what you do is what I believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company. If you don’t believe in the value of what you’re doing, then that becomes evident in your work. Our whole team at Greenheart Travel is passionate about the programs that we facilitate and the impact that travel has on individuals, and I think that passion shows in the way that we interact with everyone that we come in contact with.

Professional Associations

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