About Us

Understanding the evolving world is the first step toward changing it

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Our Vision and Mission
Our Values
Our History
Our Commitments
Bridge To Access
Our Designations
Policies and Procedures

Connect lives, enhance global skills, and drive positive change

Our Mission & Vision

We envision a world full of curious, culturally competent, and globally engaged people and institutions. How do we make that vision a reality? Cultural Vistas leverages the power of international exchange to connect lives, enhance global skills, and drive positive change around the world.

In order to meet our mission and vision, we design programs that develop critical thinking skills to address complex issues, enhance intercultural awareness to build mutual understanding, and create networks for collaboration that nurture globally adaptive leaders in communities across the globe.

Our Values

Cultural Vistas embraces difference and diversity in all aspects of life – visible and invisible – and actively prioritizes inclusion. The organization aims to foster an authentic sense of belonging and a positive, supportive environment by upholding the following values in all aspects of our work:

Our Impact

Building on our History

Founded in 1963, Cultural Vistas promotes global understanding and collaboration among individuals and institutions through international exchange experiences.

Alongside our partners across the globe, we can tap into a network of local expertise in the countries where we operate our programs.

Cultural Vistas employs a diverse and dedicated staff across the United States while maintaining a U.S. Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and a European Headquarters in Berlin, Germany.

We continue to expand our community, built on our history, while innovating for the future!

Our Commitments

Cultural Vistas is committed to creating a positive social impact in the communities it touches. Our efforts to do this are reflected not only in our programs, but also in the commitments listed below. These commitments push us to better ourselves and reflect the needs of the communities we have created and endeavor to impact.

Bridge To Access

Out of a commitment to offer accessible exchange programs we created Bridge to Access – a set of initiatives at Cultural Vistas that more holistically address issues of access in international exchange so that anyone can have the opportunity to meet and be transformed by the world.

We invite you to join us and support these initiatives, because when people and institutions decide to stretch beyond their comfort zone, amazing things can happen.

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Our Designations

Apprenticeship Ambassador

Cultural Vistas is an official Apprenticeship Ambassador as conferred by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative seeks to create a national network of employers and other stakeholders to serve as champions for expanding Registered Apprenticeship in the U.S.

J-1 Visa Sponsorship

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has designated Cultural Vistas as an official Exchange Visitor Program sponsor. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program provides countless ways for individuals around the world to gain hands-on professional experience in their chosen academic or occupational field while deepening their understanding of American culture.

Information Security Certification

Cultural Vistas is committed to best practices. In 2021, we formally solidified the trust others put into our organization by achieving an ISO 27001 Information Security Certification. ISO certification confirms Cultural Vistas’ sound data protection, privacy, and security procedures.

Policies & Procedures

At Cultural Vistas, we take our policies and procedures seriously and recognize them as the backbone of our commitment to integrity, accountability, and excellence. Upholding these guidelines is not just a responsibility; it’s a shared commitment to maintaining a culture of trust, transparency, and ethical conduct.

View Policies and Procedures