About Us

The Greenheart of Cultural Exchange

Since 1985, CCI Greenheart has offered cultural exchange programs in the U.S. that connect Americans with international students. As the leading nonprofit cultural exchange sponsor that blends service learning and volunteerism into all of our programs, we are effectively creating a community of compassionate and conscious global citizens.   

Our Mission: To promote cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness and world peace 

CCI Greenheart, a division of Greenheart International, organizes high school exchange, short-term homestays, ESL camps, intern and trainee, summer work travel programs in the U.S. and through the Greenheart Travel division, study, teach, work, volunteer, and language programs in over 30 countries around the world. CCI Greenheart now sends and receives close to 9,000 participants annually — a remarkable increase since our first seven students participated in the high school exchange program in 1985.

Read the press release about our name and launch party.

What makes us the "Greenheart of Cultural Exchange"? 

CCI Greenheart is more than a cultural exchange organization.  In 2004, we adopted Greenheart as our environmental and social initiative. Greenheart connects people and planet through environmentalism, fair trade, social transformation and cross cultural understanding. We offer opportunities to our American participants to make a difference in the world through active participation in environmental and social service projects via the Greenheart Club. We encourage our staff to volunteer in their community and practice socially responsible business practices.  Learn more about our programs in this organizational brochure. You will need Adobe Flash (download it free) to view the digital edition below, or you can also view our PDF version. 

Our Affiliations & Accolades

CCI Greenheart 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. We are currently granted full listing by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). In 2009, CCI was endorsed by the Mayor of Chicago and the City Council for the promotion of international education, environmental awareness and citizen diplomacy. We are 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.