Why Choose CCI
For over 25 years, the Center for Cultural Interchange has been serving the global community by promoting cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness and world peace through international education. Find out what makes us a leader in our industry.
- CCI has 25 years of experience in cultural exchange
- Member of the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WSTYC) since 1993
- Listed with the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) since 1990
- Members of the Alliance for International Educational & Cultural Exchange
- Individual staff are members of NAFSA: The Association of International Educators
- Endorsed by City of Chicago and Mayor Daley for CCI’s social and cultural initiatives locally, nationally and worldwide
- Leader in environmental and social welfare projects through CCI's Greenheart Initiative
- Associated with international partners in over 80 countries worldwide
- Facilitators of cultural and educational programs for approximately 10,000 American and international participants each year
- Internationally experienced and dedicated staff providing personalized service; 70 employees nationwide and a field network of over 400 representatives throughout the U.S.
- Nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization
- Staff commitment to ensuring organization’s operations are as sustainable as possible
- Founders are an integral part of the organization’s mission and operations
- Encourages participants and businesses to directly contribute to their community through social and ecological projects
- Hosts annual conferences where businesses, overseas partners and staff meet and mingle
- Creates customized and user friendly hiring options for U.S. businesses
- Provides personalized customer service by assigning clients a dedicated staff person, thereby offering a streamlined communication process and one-on-one attention
- Small enough to meet to your needs, large enough to get you what you want
- Free and personalized services for U.S. businesses
J-1 Intern/Trainee:
- Offers assistance on finding training programs for interns/trainees
- Offers a diverse range of pre-screened, qualified candidates from a variety of countries and U.S. host businesses
- Offers a wide range of positions within the Business Management/Hospitality Tourism sectors
J-1 Work & Travel:
- An online application system creates more efficient processing
- An online Job Board placement option; hiring online is a unique way to screen pre-approved participants – you can be visible or invisible
- Online pre-arrival Virtual Orientation for participants to complete in their home country
- Diverse range of employers and industries all over the U.S.
- CCI Job Fairs have extensive benefits to U.S. businesses:
- Flexible hiring options
- Friendly, non-competitive environment
- CCI will interview potential candidates
- If there is no established fair in a particular destination, CCI employers are still eligible to attend
- All Greenheart Travel programs allow participants to integrate into the community and experience another culture from the inside rather than as a tourist.
- Greenheart Travel carefully screens and evaluates all overseas partners to ensure their ability to meet high standards and quality programs.
- The experienced and knowledgeable staff has collective travel experience in over 50 countries on 6 continents who can offer the best advice and preparation to travelers.
- All staff has participated in their own cultural exchange program similar to those Greenheart Travel offers. Staff has experienced the anxieties and uncertainties of embarking on an adventure abroad first hand, so they understand the importance of answering participants' questions and providing the best possible preparation to meet the challenges that await them.
- Greenheart Travel offers a wide variety of programs for teens and adults with flexible start dates, many of which can be customized for individual participants and groups.
- The values of social responsibility and environmental consciousness are integrated into all of Greenheart Travel programs by encouraging all participants to be mindful of the impact they have on the communities that welcome them.
- Participants have the opportunity to become a part of a community of travel enthusiasts after they have returned home, through Greenheart Travel online communities, blogs and a referral incentive program for returned participants.
- CCI’s CEO is on the board of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).
- Area representative receive generous stipends, which help to attract experienced, quality individuals.
- Online application system for students, host families, and Area Representatives is efficient, user friendly, and convenient.
- Free training incentive trips for Area Representatives are offered creating opportunities to meet face-to-face with CCI’s national office staff.
- Greenheart Club offers AYP participants alternative spring break trips and encourages volunteering through environmental service activities.
- AYP staff members are strong advocates for exchange students and work to ensure that each student has the best experience on the program.
- AYP administers the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Youth Exchange Study (YES), two U.S. government scholarship programs.
- Participants are carefully chosen based on their maturity and academic achievements.
- National office staff makes courtesy calls to the students to check on how their experience on the program is going and to troubleshoot any issues or problems.
- CCI is the only cultural exchange organization in the U.S. to adopt a fully fledged environmental and social initiative, Greenheart.
- Since its inception in 2004, Greenheart has been incorporated into all of CCI’s departments and programs:
- Academic Year Program: Greenheart Club, Greenheart Spring Break Trips, Greenheart projects for Area Representatives, Greenheart Resource Pack for high schools
- Work Programs: Greenheart Club for participants and businesses
- Greenheart Travel: increasing volunteer opportunities worldwide
- Short Term Inbound: Greenheart projects for all Group Program participants
- Greenheart Shop: leader in the Fair Trade Independent Store alliance
- Greenheart offers volunteer opportunities to nearly 10,000 CCI participants annually.
- In addition to ecological awareness, Greenheart is on the cutting edge of promoting and acting in accordance with fair trade principles through its Greenheart Shop.