FAQs

An educator exchange is an opportunity for a teacher to create a lifelong friend while learning and traveling. Each U.S. educator will be paired with an educator from the partner country. They will host that educator in their home and let them experience the U.S. teacher life for ~2 weeks. Then, the U.S. educator will have the opportunity to travel for ~2 weeks and be hosted by the same person and see a new country and culture first-hand. 

Because each educator is hosting their partner, the traveler's expenses don't have to include hotel, meals, or local transportation because the host handles it during the hosting period. 

The listed program price includes orientations, support, hosting and travel logistics, and even some logo/swag items. It is expected that the traveler will host their counterpart and handle the meals, local transportation, and provide housing from the moment their partner arrives at the U.S. airport. The same will be covered for them when they arrive in the host country. Travelers will work with their in-country program director to arrange for airfare, traveler's insurance, and visa fees which are paid for separately. 

If a teacher is unable to host and cannot find a local host in their place, an additional fee may be paid to ensure that the hosted teacher has an equivalent experience to what they will be providing to the traveler. 

We will travel in June of the same year that we host. The enrollment form includes a question about when the last required day of school is for everyone so the organizers know when they can arrange flights and ensure that all educators are free from school obligations. Any specific dates or needs should be communicated with Jill Woerner, U.S. Program Director, as soon as possible. 

No. The teachers coming from Brazil speak some level of English so they'll be able to communicate with and for you. If you do speak Spanish, you'll find that you'll be able to utilize your Spanish in Southern Brazil as most will understand it. In Uruguay, most of the teachers coming are excited to practice their English with you so again, no world language knowledge is required. 

No, we welcome teachers of all grade levels and content areas. In fact, elementary teachers are in high demand for this program! 

Not necessarily. Sometimes it works out that you are paired with someone whose content area matches yours, but it is more common to pair folks up with people that have common interests and agreeable personalities to ensure a good connection. During the school day, you are welcome to have your partner observe and speak to other classes in the building or district both to give them more experiences in U.S. schools and to allow you to focus on your students. 

Your partner is coming to experience what the "teacher life" is like in the U.S. So, if you go to yoga class twice a week, please make arrangements to take them with you while they're here. When you go to the grocery or Target, they'll want to go with you as those a great indicators about what a culture values and what impacts our daily life. (For example, the cereal or chip aisles in U.S. groceries are pretty shocking to most BEE teachers from abroad!) Welcome events will be planned with you in the months/weeks leading up to hosting and usually include a sporting event and a shared meal to officially kick off the exchange. You will have another weekend of hosting that you can plan whatever you want like a trip to a neighboring city, a trip to an outlet mall, a family gathering or game night, or just spending time outdoors or exploring a local college campus. The possibilities are endless. All we ask is that you don't just sit at home!