Greenheart Travel

Tag: Teen Study Abroad

  • Unlocking Independence: The Transformative Power of Sending your Teen Abroad

    Unlocking Independence: The Transformative Power of Sending your Teen Abroad

    by Ana Mirzashvili

    “Cultural exchange programs help build bridges between people and nations!” If you’ve spent any time in this industry, you’ve probably heard that phrase a thousand times. And for good reason—it’s the heartbeat of what we do. Every day, we dedicate ourselves to creating these connections, fostering citizen diplomacy, and opening doors for countless life-changing experiences. We believe in the power of cultural exchange to unlock independence when you send your teen abroad.

    There are so many ways to be a part of this magical journey. You could study abroad, work abroad, enroll in a short-term language course, or even host an international student in your home. No matter which path you choose, you’ll witness firsthand the beauty of two different cultures meeting and learning from each other.

    The Long-Term Impact of Cultural Exchange Programs

    Cultural exchange isn’t just about the short-term benefits, though those are pretty amazing—like rapidly improving language skills. The real magic often shows up in the long run. As time goes by, participants reflect on the subtle ways these experiences shape who they are—their resilience, independence, and empathy for others. It’s the kind of personal growth that sticks with you for a lifetime.

    Take it from me—I was just twelve when my parents sent me on my first cultural exchange. I spent three months in Freiburg, Germany, attending a teen language camp and living with a host family we’d never even met. Family friends were shocked: “Germany? Alone? At 12 years old?” But there I was, navigating school, exploring an unfamiliar town, and adjusting to life in a new home.

    Was it smooth sailing? Absolutely not. I remember calling my parents in tears, complaining about the food, or how small the house felt compared to what I was used to. That’s the thing: when teens arrive in a new culture, their first instinct is to compare everything to home, and at first, all they see are the differences. But eventually, we stop resisting and start absorbing. Slowly, we embrace the beauty of what’s new and different.

    That’s the real magic of cultural exchange—the lessons unfold over time, often long after the program ends. And those lessons? They last a lifetime.

    Take a Leap of Faith

    Fast forward, and I’ve now worked in the cultural exchange industry for almost six years, proudly running programs as a Director of Greenheart Travel. These programs are close to my heart because I’ve been on both sides—as a student and as someone helping today’s teens take that same leap.

    Sending your teen abroad is a huge leap of faith—not just for the student but also for the parents. Trusting your child’s ability to navigate their independence can be hard, even when you know they’re ready. But here’s the thing: by holding back, you risk standing in the way of their chance to grow, explore, and discover their inner confidence.

    For parents about to send their teen abroad, I want to offer a bit of advice: don’t accompany them to their destination. As tempting as it may be to see where they’ll be living, this is often more for your peace of mind than theirs. Instead, say your goodbyes at home and let them make the journey solo. That first solo step—arriving in a new country, meeting their host family, knowing they did it all on their own—that’s a powerful moment. It’s their first win, and it sets the stage for an unforgettable experience.

    Let them fly. You’ll be amazed at how high they soar.

    Ana Mirzashvili

    Thank you Ana for sharing your story! 

    Ready to learn more about Greenheart Travel’s cultural exchange programs for teens? 

  • Learning Italian While Quarantining Upon Arrival

    Learning Italian While Quarantining Upon Arrival

    A note from Greenheart Travel: Now several months into the COVID-19 pandemic, our high school abroad programs in most destinations are still able to run. However, like all aspects of life, Greenheart Travel’s programs are a bit different than in the pre-COVID-19 era. One of those things, our 2020 First-Time Traveler Scholarship Recipient Jessica Durnell tells us, is quarantining for two weeks with her host family upon arrival before starting school – and not understanding Italian! In this post, she gives tips and tricks to picking  up the language when you can’t leave the house.

    So, you’ve just gotten off the plane. You’re in a different country, everyone around you is speaking in their mother tongue and much faster than you expected, and you’re feeling everything at once. Maybe you’re tired and just want to pass out as soon as your host family picks you up, you’re nervous – but one thing’s for sure, and that is: you’re excited. You have so many new things to experience, but there’s one little hindrance… you can’t leave your house for the next two weeks.  

    Jessica sitting in the chair that she sat in every single day when she was studying Italian on her laptop.

    That’s exactly how I felt when I got off of my plane and arrived in Italy. I felt everything at once, but most of all, I was excited. I was seeing so many new things, and I wanted to be able to experience them all. Sure, my ability to speak Italian was in shackles, rather surprised with how easy it was to fly, and I didn’t exactly know where my luggage was because I forgot to read a sign, but I was hyped. But first, I have to survive quarantine. 

    The first thing I had to conquer through quarantine was the irrefutable fact that I had no idea what anybody was saying to me. So, I started studying Italian on my own time. But the easiest way of knowing what you’re going to need to prioritize how to say is right in front of you: your host family. So, you listen to their conversations. There’s always common words and topics that people will focus on, or more so, these are the “basics.”  

    This way, I’ve learned what people commonly say, and common expressions that they use as well. Even if you don’t know the full extent of what someone is saying, you can use the words you do know and context to figure out what people are saying. It’s how I’ve been getting by until I myself can form coherent sentences… and it has worked, well, at least, it has worked well enough!

    But even when you’re studying another language, there’s still a lot of spare time left over. And you have a full two weeks worth of it to go through. Even if you’re doing other things to take up your time – like watching movies, a TV show, or reading a book… do it in the language you’re studying. So, I started to re-watch an animated show in an Italian dub. Not only was it amusing, but I could pick up on what people were actually saying, and translate it in my head, since I was already familiar with the show.  

    If you’re going to watch something, I recommend a cartoon or an animated show, as they usually have simpler scripts for the younger audience they are directed towards, which can be easier for you to translate into your mother tongue!  

    The view from Jessica’s host family’s house.

    Writing this now, I’ve completed quarantine. And boy… was it a long ride. Tomorrow, I go to my first day of school! Excitement, nerves, and the fear that I still have no idea what I’m doing is coursing through my veins. But in the words of one of my favorite YouTube channels: say yes to discomfort.