When I joined the Greenheart board in 2023, my daughter, freshly graduated and standing at the edge of adulthood, became curious about Greenheart’s outbound program for U.S. students. The timing felt serendipitous. For more than 20 years, I had worked with international students coming to the United States, watching firsthand how cultural exchange fosters empathy, independence, and global awareness. Greenheart’s mission, to create meaningful connections between people, cultures, and the planet, was one I had long believed in. Now, I was about to see it come to life in my own home.
No textbook, classroom, or lecture can rival what is learned through true immersion. Living abroad, studying, speaking another language, navigating daily life, cooking, eating, and building relationships in a new culture, changes a person. It reshapes perspectives, deepens purpose, and cultivates respect for differences. These are the very values Greenheart champions: openness, curiosity, sustainability, and responsible global citizenship.
Jenna had studied Spanish throughout middle and high school, so the idea of testing her language skills in Madrid felt like an exciting challenge. But what she gained went far beyond grammar and vocabulary. She joined a local soccer club, learned to salsa, prepared tapas from scratch, and discovered hot cocoa—Spanish style. Through her host family, she learned that while family dynamics can feel universal, the ways they’re expressed are shaped by culture, history, and values.
And then there was the super-mercado—where every sense came alive. The familiar yet different cadence of spoken Spanish, new aromas, animated bustle, textures of unfamiliar packaging, and even the subtle differences in how products were marketed turned an ordinary errand into a daily cultural lesson. These moments, small but profound, are where understanding grows, and where Greenheart’s belief in experiential learning truly shines.
Jenna returned home with a broadened worldview and a deeper sense of independence; outcomes that align perfectly with Greenheart’s goal of preparing young people to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with the world. Despite dedicating my career to this work, it was an experience I could never have fully explained to her in words alone.
Thank you, Greenheart, for giving my daughter the opportunity to live your mission, to learn through connection, to grow through cultural exchange, and to see the world with curiosity and respect. And one final note: Nestlé’s hot cocoa is no longer welcome in our house. Jenna now makes her own chocolate caliente—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Teri Silvestri brings more than 25 years of leadership and experience in international education. She has served as President of Educatius Inc. and Educatius College and University Services, and previously held the role of National Co-Chair of the Parent Committee at Phillips Exeter Academy. She is currently President of Futurum, an Educatius company providing college and high school consulting, and serves on the board of Greenheart International.
Teri lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and is the proud mother of three children – all of them in college at this time! We love to travel when everyone is home.