Greenheart reflects on the past three years working with 98 remarkable university students on the Ambassador Scholarship Fund.
Two university students from Argentina, Fiji, and Costa Rica started their journey to the United States back in the Winter of 2023. What started as an opportunity of growth among accessible cultural exchange, turned into more than just six university students flying to the U.S.
The Ambassador Scholarship Fund, awarded to Greenheart by the U.S. Department of State, was created to support deserving students who may not otherwise have had the financial means to participate in the Work and Travel program. By covering many of the costs associated with participation, 98 scholars explored, developed professional and leadership skills, learned about the United States, and gave back to their local host communities.
Over the course of the program, Ambassador Scholars traveled from countries spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. They worked in host communities across the United States, volunteered a total of 1,022.5 hours, improved their English-language skills, built lifelong friendships, and embraced experiences that pushed them beyond their comfort zones. Whether it was seeing snow for the first time, sharing a traditional meal with new friends, presenting their culture to local students, or volunteering in their host communities, each scholar contributed to the program’s mission of expanding global citizenship.
As volunteering is a strong value at Greenheart, each scholar was required to contribute time of service. Summer 2025 scholar, Collins from Tanzania, volunteered at Sasha Bruce Youthwork in Washington, D.C. by helping to cook and prepare a meal for the residents, the Salvation Army in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania by cleaning the outdoor and indoor areas of the facility, and lastly, he supported Greenheart by making dog toys using recycled donated shirts and fabrics for a local animal shelter in Chicago.
Seasonal Stats:
| Season & Year | Number of Scholars | Countries represented |
| Winter 2023 | 6 | Argentina, Costa Rica, Fiji |
| Summer 2024 | 20 | Algeria, Belize, Cambodia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zimbabwe |
| Winter 2024 | 12 | Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Guatemala, Kiribati, New Zealand, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Zambia |
| Summer 2025 | 48 | Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Cameroon, Cyprus, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Poland, Senegal, Serbia, Slovenia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zimbabwe |
| Winter 2025 | 12 | Argentina, Costa Rica, Fiji, Panama, Papua New Guinea |
Total: 5 seasons, 98 scholars, 34 countries represented around the world
As shown above, this impact has given experiences that extend far beyond these scholar’s programs in the United States. Elina from Tanzania shared in her final scholarship report that, “living and working in a different country allowed me to meet people from different parts of the world and learn about their cultures, traditions, and perspectives. These interactions helped me develop stronger communication skills, adaptability, and confidence in multicultural environments.”
Scholars, like Elina, arrived with nerves, hesitation for the new experience, but also curiosity. In return, the host communities they lived amongst got to experience cultures they may have never gotten to experience had it not been for this program. These participants positively affected local businesses and local community members through volunteering, shopping, dining, and much more.
Though the Ambassador Scholar Fund is closing the scholarship for now, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to the U.S. Department of State, our host organizations, community partners, Greenheart staff, and everyone who dedicated their time helping to support each one of our Ambassador Scholars. Lastly, we thank the 98 scholars who went out of their comfort zone, some never leaving their own countries before, and experiencing cultural exchange with pride and authenticity.
As the Ambassador Scholarship Fund comes to a close, its legacy lives on in the friendships formed, the communities connected, and the future leaders it helped inspire. Here’s to the lasting impact of cultural exchange and to the next generation of global leaders.
Interested in learning more about Greenheart’s cultural exchange opportunities? Visit Greenheart Exchange to explore programs, hosting opportunities, and ways to support international education and global understanding.
If you or your organization is interested in supporting an Ambassador Scholarship, please reach out to ambassadorscholarship@greenheart.org to learn more!