Program Reviews

My academic year spent in Italy was full of different social scenes, new people and experiences, school, and culture. Learning the language at first seemed daunting, but once I got the hang of it, it was one of my favorite parts of day to day life. My host family was the perfect family to be placed with, and my city was the perfect mix of a larger community and smaller suburb. The support of Greenheart staff was great, they were kind and responded expertly, however my local area representative from BEC seemed not very patient and at times a bit patronizing. Overall, my experience was shaped majorly by the people I was surrounded by, and while there were difficult periods I was able to get through them with my host family, friends, and my family from home.

This summer, I was a participant in Greenheart's summer language camp in Alicante, Spain. The sign up process was very straightforward and I was provided with all of the necessary information to feel prepared for my trip. Additionally, the employees typically responded promptly to their emails which was helpful.The structure of the program was perfect for a student. We had 3 hours of Spanish language classes in the morning, one activity each day, and the rest of the time was ours to spend at the beach, with our host families, or hanging out with new friends. Overall, the experience was amazing and the city of Alicante was gorgeous and very walkable. As a student who has never solo traveled abroad before, the streamlined process and flexible schedule was perfect for me.

The program was amazing. 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.

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.

This trip has fundamentally changed me as a persona in every way possible, It has given me a amazing mindset, great physical and mental health, and a community to rely on across the world. With this experience you do things that you never thought were possible and you take that with you. You went across the world by yourself at such a young age, what else can you do? You learn to appreciate the little things, overcome obstacles and defy challenges greater than you ever thought imaginable. This is something I would recommend to everyone on all walks of like because it will benefit and re route your whole life.

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.

I had a fabulous summer studying abroad in Quebec City. I spent most of my days learning French with the most amazing teachers and classmates. I also greatly enjoyed my afternoon activity of horseback riding. Over the course of five weeks I made major progress in my French speaking, listening and comprehension. It was a phenomenal experience to push me to become more independent; learning to take the bus everyday, especially in French was a difficult but more than rewarding experience. Overall I am so grateful to have gotten this opportunity to study abroad and I would recommend it to anyone!

Studying abroad in Costa Rica was an unforgettable experience that gave me so much more than I expected. My host family welcomed me right away and made me feel like part of their home, which helped me adjust quickly and practice Spanish every day. School was supportive, and while learning a new language in a different environment was challenging at times, those challenges helped me grow more independent and confident. Some of my favourite memories came from the balance of everyday life and adventure, sharing meals, exploring markets, hiking in the mountains, and relaxing on the beach. Costa Rica’s culture is so warm and lively, and the natural beauty is breathtaking. My biggest advice for future students is to stay open-minded, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and embrace every new experience.

This was truly the best experience in my 14 years of living. I would definitely recommend questioning travelers, wondering, Should I do this? That answer is yes. Don't sit around and waste your time thinking about what if. Just go for it. It has truly bent and changed my life in ways I didn't think were possible. I think that after this trip, I have truly lived. One thing that made my trip truly unique was definitely the home I was put in. They made my trip the most enjoyable it could have ever been. Thank you to everyone who has helped me in my travels!

This was my first experience traveling outside of the country and traveling alone. And it went great! Communication with the GreenHeart staff was awesome! They were so kind and much more helpful than other travel companies I had spoken to.

Overall, the school in Spain handled my transportation very well, save for one instance that wasn't the school's fault. My biggest complaint is with the school. I had gone into this expecting a language boot camp where I'd be drilled on a lot of new concepts, tenses, and grammar stuff. But instead, we would basically read an article in Spanish then discuss it. This is of course helpful, but I had really been hoping for something more intense, so I would go into it with more tame expectations.

Negatives aside, this was a great program! The teachers are very down-to-earth and they were all super open to helping me with extra stuff and answering my questions. Salamanca was a great environment. The city felt extremely safe and I never felt like I was in danger. The people were also very helpful and I had lots of great connections with store employees who would correct my Spanish and chat with me.

Nearly every day I had some sort of activity, but I also had ample free time. To me, this program was a perfect mix of freedom and structure for my first time abroad and I think it's a great fit for any teen looking to travel on their own for the first time!

My experience with Greenheart Travel in Salamanca, Spain was unforgettable. The program was well-organized from start to finish, with excellent support before and during my stay. I took part in a Spanish language immersion program and quickly felt at home thanks to the welcoming host family and passionate local teachers. Living in Salamanca—a beautiful, historic city—allowed me to truly experience Spanish culture and improve my language skills every day. Greenheart’s focus on meaningful travel made the entire experience enriching, both personally and culturally. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking purposeful adventure abroad.