About Us

CCI: The Greenheart of Cultural Exchange

Established in 1985, the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is a non-profit international exchange organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness and world peace.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, CCI organizes high school exchange, short-term group homestay, intern and trainee, work & travel in the U.S. and study, teach, work, volunteer, and language programs in over 30 countries around the world. In 2004, CCI adopted Greenheart as its environmental and social initiative. Greenheart connects people and planet through environmentalism, fair trade, social transformation and cross cultural understanding.

Through the Greenheart initiative, CCI offers opportunities to our American and international participants to make a difference in the world through environmental and social service. As of 2010, Greenheart components within CCI include the Greenheart Club, Greenheart Shop, Greenheart Travel and Greenheart Transforms. To find out more information on Greenheart worldwide visit www.greenheart.info.

CCI and Greenheart has been recognized by the Mayor of Chicago and the City Council for the promotion of international education, environmental awareness and citizen diplomacy.

Read more about how CCI and Greenheart give back on a local, national and global level.

CCI is designated by the United States Department of State as a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor for the Secondary School, Intern and Trainee, and Summer Work/Travel programs. CCI is currently granted full listing by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). We are also a member of the World Youth Student and Educational Travel Confederation (WYSTC), WYSE: Work Abroad Association, and The Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange. Individuals in our organization are also members of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Over the years, we have been fortunate to expand CCI’s activities in spite of the uncertainties of international travel, and thereby do even more towards fulfilling our mission. CCI now receives over 8,000 students annually — a remarkable increase since our first seven students participated in the Academic Year High School Program in 1985.

CCI and Greenheart Synergies

Find out what makes CCI the "Greenheart of Cultural Exchange" in our organizational brochure. You will need Adobe Flash (download it free) to view the digital edition below, or you can also view our PDF version.