Our Story

We are excited that you are interested in our program! Initially, the idea behind our program was to connect travelers and communities – English is in huge demand internationally, and a homestay/cultural exchange experience is a great opportunity for locals and foreigners to experience the world. Over time, we have come to see our mission – our opportunity – as something greater. Immigration is a global issue today. While immigration and border protection are both legitimate issues of concern for a country, what often exacerbates these issues is a lack of knowledge about somebody “different than me”.

Individuals from other cultures may eat different food, listen to different music, and speak a different language, yet they are just like the rest of us; they want freedom, respect, safety, opportunity, friendship, and love. We are convinced that if more people could experience this same realization, we would see a different attitude regarding immigration – an attitude not of fighting against, but of working with each other to arrive at a solution that works for everybody. So, beyond offering a really cool international experience – which we do! – our mission is to create this “just like me” awareness in our volunteers so that by participating in our programs, they expand their perspective regarding other cultures and continue on to create positive change in the world.