Greenheart

Program Reviews

Christa
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

4-week TESOL course was beneficial

The course is good for giving a basic structure on how to teacher a class, but the best part is the confidence that is gained from actually teaching in front of others. Through this program, future teachers can go into an actually classroom with real ESL learners and give a lesson to many different age groups. I felt that experiencing this real classroom setting was exceptionally helpful in terms of building confidence for the teaching job I would hold in the future. By the time I got to my actual teaching position, I felt much more prepared than I would have felt had I gone in without this experience. I could think back on the classes I taught during the course and think about how I solved problems or how I made the class more fun for the students.

What would you improve about this program?
The communication could be much better. We always felt like we didn’t know things and there were times that we had to asked for information that should have already been given.
Dahn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sending My Kid

My 17 year old daughter participated in the Teen Language Program in Fukuoka, Japan this last summer. This was without a doubt the scariest thing I’ve ever done. Putting my kid on a plane to Amazingland alone was emotional and frightening, but I just kept reminding myself that this was for her, and I didn’t want my fear to be her roadblock. So, in front of her I was all brave in my SuperMom cape. Behind the scenes, I was a disaster, but the difference in my daughter from that moment when she left for Japan and when I picked her up was simply astounding. She was uncertain and nervous when she left, but returned all smiles and confidence. Her speaking skills improved tremendously with full immersion. Greenheart took excellent care of us, and Connor was a joy to work with! So if you’re on the fence, count this as encouragement to take the step. This experience entirely reshaped my daughter. Now, when she talks of college, she shows interest in much more significant degrees than she did before. She thinks bigger now and has set her bar much higher than it was before. She has learned that just because something seems scary doesn’t mean it’s beyond her reach. She is already trying to figure out how to get back to Japan and has begun saving her money again. So, yes, as a mother I was sure I’d lost my mind when I agreed to this, but I definitely got cool mom points for supporting her when it was time for her to level up.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I could send her again I would send her for longer. The teachers in the school there were really good. My daughter was sorry her trip was so short. We had played it safe, though, and started with two weeks. Now we wish we had signed up for longer!
Youness
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience, Highly Recommend It

Honestly, the trip wasn't anything like I expected, which is actually a good thing. The days were truly great and action filled, and the other kids were really fun and cool to hang out with. The morning classes weren't too hard nor too easy, just a good fit in between. The daily excursions were one of the best parts, and there was plenty of free time to explore and truly feel like you live in France. I felt safe throughout the whole trip, and you're never put in any sort of danger. The Host Family is one of the best parts. My host mother was so kind and caring, and her two dogs really made the stay a lot better. Whenever I was around another host family, the kids would always make my day. The food is good, but you're never really hungry until the end of the day because of how long each day lasts, which really just added to the whole experience. All the monuments and tourist attractions you get to see are really great, and there are tons of picturesque places no matter where you are in France. The cities where the host families lived were peaceful and quiet, a good break from the bustling Paris at the end of the day. And I do feel that my French has improved, and it's much easier to understand and speak the language then before I went on the trip. So overall, I really do recommend it, and besides a few nitpicky things I'm not going to complain about, it was pretty much perfect.

Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience!

This program was an amazing experience and it is something I will never forget. I never expected to have this chance and I’m so glad that I did. The staff at greenheart travel were amazing and answered all 101 of my questions. I felt very safe while I was there and walked all over. My favorite part about the whole trip was my host family. I could not have been placed in a better family. They matched my personality and took amazing care of me. I hope to visit them again someday. The placements were very good as everybody I talked to loved their families as well.
The classes were fun and fast paced and I really enjoyed them. There was a lot of homework and my host family had to help me with it but overall I really loved this program and would gladly go back

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate so many unfamiliar things including raw eggs, intestines, raw fish, and many more. They were very interesting and not really my favorite but I’m glad I tried everything
finola
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Opportunity to Study Abroad in Finland

Deciding to do this program was one of the smartest ideas I have had, in the duration of the program I learned so many things that I never knew and I felt like I grew into a new person. During the year I was there I got so much support from Greenheart and my local organization SUN experience which helped me thrive. I have so many outstanding memories of my experience that will stay with me for a life time. I would not hesitate to recommend this program to anyone who enjoys doing new things, as this is a great chance to learn, travel, and make new friends. If you are unsure of whether or whether not you want to do this program, then my advice to you is to just go for it, because if you do it will be an amazing way to learn about a new culture.

Teleja
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time at Las Casas de la Selva

I absolutely enjoyed my time with 3T and Las Casa de la Selva. It was a safe, enriching and spiritually rewarding place to be and quickly felt like my home. I would strongly recommend this program to all looking to spend time in a paradise with welcoming and vibrant people doing meaningful work. 3T, the director is basically one of my newest deities, and I adore her as such, and Andres was excellent company and blessed with so many skills! Together they were the perfect family to welcome me in and to work with and for. I could not have asked for a better situation. I did a variety of green work related tasks, very much what I was looking for,. I got to plant trees and learn more about trees and the ecology of the tropics (also very much what I was looking for). Lastly I got a fair amount of experience facilitating the younger volunteers, which was of help to both 3T and myslef. An overall outstanding experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be wary of the Mold! This is not a comment on cleanliness but rather on climate! Upon packing to leave this beautiful place I realized my pack had started to mold, so luckily I noticed this a few days before leaving to I could wash and dry it in the sun.
Hery
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Something to Remember

This program was absolutely the best time of my life. I cannot express how much I enjoyed my time, and how badly I wish I was back. Everyday was an absolute dream. Greenheart is for sure making dreams come true. If you are hesitant in investing in the program, I promise you it’s worth everything. It was an amazing experience and I don’t regret anything. Traveling is a dream, and it takes a lot of character to go out there and explore and learn new things. For all the parents reading this, I would definitely send your child! However, always research everything no matter what. I was new to this and I wish I had just researched a little more about currency. Other than that, everything was great and money was no issue once I exchanged. Thank you Greenheart!

What would you improve about this program?
Better activities and having the long excursions in the week as well
Margaret
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing

I learned so much more not just about the language but I got to really dive deeper into the culture of japan. I made friends from all of the world and would not trade this experience for anything. If you ever get the chance to go abroad take it. You will be amazed at how it changes your views. This program really exceeded my expectations. My host family was truly wonderful and I really felt a part of their family. If I have learned Japanese a few years earlier I wish I would have been able to study abroad there. I plan on going back next year for six weeks. There are so many fun and exciting things to do in japan. A tip is to get out as much as possible if you stay inside all the time you're going to miss all the amazing things that are included in the program.

What would you improve about this program?
Nothing. I loved everything about it wish I would have chosen to stay longer.
Emmie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a Lifetime

Greenheart Travel allowed me to make my dream of living in France a reality by living with a family and teaching them English for a month. From the moment I committed to the program, the Greenheart staff were so supportive, organized, and welcoming. Over a month, I tried new foods, went to local festivals, improved my French, and even tagged along in a helicopter over the Pyrenees mountains. I learned so much about myself and my place in the world. I was able to do some traveling on my own of the region, but my favorite parts were everyday goings-on. My host family has become like a second family to me, and we are making plans to meet in a few months. I highly recommend GT to anyone who wants to travel and experience a country's culture firsthand!

What was your funniest moment?
I meant to say "I'm full" at the dinner table one night, but it really meant "I'm pregnant"
Asmath
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

France

This entire experience is hands down, the best experience of my life so far! I got to see France from a local’s view and completely immersed myself into the daily lifestyle and culture. My host family and I hit it off right from the beginning and that’s a huge part as to why this program went so well. I got to explore so much of southern France and a few other places. I figured out how to navigate myself in a foreign country which was a huge challenge at the beginning, but I became confident by the end! My host family hardly spoke any English when I first got there, mostly due to lack of confidence and vocabulary, but once we bonded, they were speaking English all the time! It was great to see them build their confidence by having to practice their English all day long!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Have an open mind and don’t be afraid to try new things and travel solo! Have fun with your host family and be yourself. If you’re shy and timid, there might be an awkwardness there and they may not be as comfortable talking to you. And spend time with them! If they’re home, don’t go to your room, sit with them and talk! Any time my family was home, I would sit on the couch with them and watch tv, talk, cook, play games, anything!