Our Values
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We’re all about saying yes: Yes to something a little scary, like traveling to a faroff place. Yes to a new experience, like sampling fried alligator. Yes to big conversations, like ones about the country we all call home. Say yes and see where the adventure leads.
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The unknown can be frightening, but we’re obsessive about the details of our work and are dedicated to its improvement. Safety first, and adventure right behind it.
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Curiosity leads to questions → Questions lead to knowledge → Knowledge leads to understanding → Understanding leads to connection → Connection leads to belonging. Shared experiences allow curiosity to surprise, delight, and unite us. When we have the courage to listen, we find the courage to grow.
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Shared adventures mean communal experiences punctuated with oh!, and whoa—moments that crystallize into lifelong memories. Give in to all of it: Stop to admire the candy-colored sunsets; stay up too late having the deep conversations; savor the small joy of being really, truly awed by something or someone.
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Adventures generate stories that demand to be told—tales bursting with excitement, realization, and companionship. A good story can change more than just the characters in it. It can change the world. So tell the world.
“American Exchange Project helped me travel to Flandreau, South Dakota. The following year, I returned to South Dakota for an internship. I’ve also volunteered with two exchange groups. Seeing students experience firsts, like swimming in the ocean or trying sushi, never fails to give me a new appreciation for my own experience.”