Meaningful Travel: New Cultures With The Cultural Exchange Project

Few experiences can be as life-changing as traveling. When done right, it opens up new opportunities and helps you embrace different lifestyles. Perhaps more importantly, it teaches you new ways of looking at life.

Exploring new cultures doesn’t mean just booking vacations, though. Sure, your next journey can include some must-visit tourist spots. But it can also include a lot more. And while you may love good scenery and a view, the charm might wear off in a few weeks or months.

And that’s because when you look at life in a bigger way, you will feel the need for a purpose to make your stay meaningful.

We aim to make your travels more rewarding. When traveling, you shouldn’t just look to get paid for doing volunteer work. Instead, you would want to become part of new stories that form around you and create memories that last.

We help our travelers develop a more concrete sense of purpose while they experience new cultures, learn from one another, and embark on life-changing experiences. From helping people find interesting teaching positions to becoming language camp counselors, we help you experience life outside your own country with a different perspective.

What is the Cultural Exchange Project?

Formerly known as The GeoVisions Foundation, The Cultural Exchange Project has been following its vision of helping people make their stay abroad more meaningful for 16 years as a 501(c)(3) public charity.

During this time, we have helped over 10,000 participants create an unforgettable study-abroad experience. Studying abroad is more than sitting in a foreign classroom. It’s lifelong learning … discovering new cultures through a myriad of activities that include volunteering, working, and teaching abroad.

And people who have been with us - love us.

The Cultural Exchange Project has been rated 9.3 stars out of 10 on GoAbroad, with independent reviewers fondly reminiscing about their travels and the wealth of experience they gained there.

Tiffany, for instance, went to Germany as a tutor. Her experience proved that the desire to bridge cultures works both ways, as she was able to share her American roots with her host family’s child from Cologne. She, in turn, explored the breathtaking scenery along the Rhine River and, with insight from her newfound local friends, explored the historical town of Rudesheim, the center of the Rhine wine industry, which dates back to the 9th century.

Jeannie, one of our other participants, also had a life-changing experience in Spain. Her tutoring project took her to Girona, where she was not only able to teach English to her host family but also improve her own Spanish. She can now have meaningful conversations with people in Spanish. Travel changes you and makes you a more well-rounded person.

Similarly, Joanna went to Spain to work as an au pair. She forged a strong bond with her host family and traveled extensively on her own, returning home with friendships and experiences that will be remembered forever.

These are just a few experiences people have had upon joining The Cultural Exchange Project. Let’s look at the roles you could take up in your destination of choice by traveling with us.

Opportunities With The Cultural Exchange Project

Do you want to experience teaching in a classroom thousands of miles away from home? Or maybe live like a local in a foreign country while being paid for it?

Both these options can open your mind to the nuances of a new culture and help you appreciate them deeply. The Cultural Exchange Project gives you several unique ways to experience an exotic culture, and you decide how you want your next experience to be.

Homestay Tutor

As a homestay tutor abroad, you'll get free room and board in exchange for helping host family members improve their conversational English skills. You can stay in your host country for up to three months. We help you become a conversation tutor. You don’t need to be a teacher or even have a degree. You just need to be a clear English speaker and want to live with a family.

The best part? You're also learning the local language while you're tutoring, which makes for an unparalleled experience. You can expand your horizons in ways you could never have achieved otherwise.

Au Pair

An au pair role requires you to be a caregiver for children. You might help kids with their homework, keep their play area and rooms clean, prepare meals, and accompany them to school or playtime.

Your host family is chosen after a thorough screening process, which allows you to have a comfortable environment to work and live in. In addition, you'll probably teach English to children during scheduled hours agreed upon between yourself and the host family.

Being an au pair is the best way to truly live like a local in a foreign country while also being paid.

School Tutor or Teacher

You can teach English to students in a classroom or be a teacher assistant and stay for a month in the summer, a semester, or a full year, whichever you choose. You can volunteer as a tutor abroad or get paid as a full-time teacher. You’ll always have plenty of time to explore on your own or with new friends you will make.

Volunteer

When you want to experience a new culture up close, you need to get involved—and volunteering is the way to go. Depending on the location you choose, you'll be able to volunteer abroad for as little as a week or two or for a few months. Opportunities range from being a summer camp counselor to working as an animal rescue member to teaching English to Buddhist monks at a temple. Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy a highly fulfilling experience in your new country.

What Sets The Cultural Exchange Project Apart?

Building on the history and opportunities, here are some things that set The Cultural Exchange Project apart.

• Thorough Screening: Host families must pass a background screening by our local partners, who have welcomed guests for many years. We ensure you know ahead of time just what you will be doing. We help set realistic expectations for you.
• Local Contacts: Staying in a new place can sometimes feel a little intimidating. How do you shop? What do you buy? What customs do you need to follow? Our local partners can assist you with anything you need.
• 100% Refund Policy: If you're unsatisfied with the service offered or just have second thoughts, you can get a full refund within 48 hours of applying.

Insights From Our Chairman

“The Cultural Exchange Project has remained focused on its mission for over a decade and remains committed to giving travelers the experience of a lifetime in their foreign adventure.

Our goal is to help bridge the gap between cultures, and there's no better way to do this than through a mutual learning experience. People need a “why” for their travels now more than ever, and our goal is to ensure that we help them achieve it. The Cultural Exchange Project is always looking ahead and improving our services to better serve our volunteers.

• Kevin Morgan, Chairman, The Cultural Exchange Project

We encourage you to apply now to begin your foreign adventure. We, at The Cultural Exchange Project will support you every step of the way.