“My partner and I are best friends. The other people in my delegation were awesome. Our delegations got along so well. When I talk about my CISV experience with my American friends think I actually have a special life.”

“I think it teaches kids a lot of important lessons. It teaches that you can talk things out instead of fighting.”

I wish I could share how much Interchange affected me. My partner and I became the best of friends and shared great memories together. The people in the other delegation were really fun to get along with. I learned that every culture is different and when in Interchange you have to go with the flow. View Full →

“It is difficult to convey to new parents how profound the CISV experience is when they are looking at CISV for the first time.”

“CISV is an organization that allows people to connect and learn about other cultures.”

“CISV means to me that being family isn’t just blood.”

“CISV has made me more understanding. It has given me the ability to open my mind and the minds of those around me.”

“CISV means opening your mind. It means making yourself award, learning and making friends.”

“I learned about leadership and about myself and to be myself at Step-Up camp. I was surprised by how close the staff and leaders were with the delegates. I wish I could share the whole experience with everybody.”

I was surprised by how close we all became. My partner and I were very similar. The other people in my delegation were really great and I hope we stay friends. I wish I had known how great it would be so I would not have been so nervous. I’d like to tell future CISV View Full →

“CISV makes me believe that a better world is possible and because we’re actually working for it.”  

“My interchange partner and I went to his river house and had a camping trip and also went on a metro. I learned how to get together as a team could help. The hardest part was leaving my partner. I wish I could tell future CISV delegations how much fun it is.”

“I learned to be peaceful, to solve quarrels without violence, create win-win situations and not to judge people.”

“CISV is a safe space for dialogue, disagreements and lots of hugs.”

“I learned how to live with a bunch of other people at Step-Up and changed my mind about judging people based on first impressions. I’d like to tell future CISV delegations how Step-Up was one of the best experiences of my life.”

“My opinion does matter and it can make a difference. … to express what I think because it can make a big impact.”

I learned a lot about different cultures. One of my best memories is meeting everyone at Village.

“I participate in important things I would never have thought of doing before and also I feel much more confident about myself and my place in the world.”

“CISV has totally changed my life. It has make me way more interested in international affairs and that is what I am going to do with my life.”

“Allowing every individual person in a group to have a voice, no matter their opinion, age, etc.”

“CISV has helped me realize the importance of listening and being quiet at times when that may not be my first instinct.”

“The best part was getting to know my interchange partner and the other delegation. My partner and I got along really well. We connected even though I am shy. My parents had a lot of fun hosting our interchange partner. They really liked her. One of the hardest parts was saying goodbye.”

CISV has impacted every facet of my life in the sense of making new friends, having new experiences, traveling the world and learning to be a leader. It has shaped me as a person.

“CISV is an interactive and fun way to learn about things that I may not have ever subconsciously thought about before. The experience is very important to me.”

“It was a really fun experience. I learned a lot about cooperating with others and how to act in other cultures.”

“CISV means learning about different cultures and making friends from all other the world.”

“CISV is a way to learn new things and new ideas that I have never heard before. It is also a place where I can express myself fully. “

“My interchange partner and I were basically sisters. We had a lot of fun together. The best part of the interchange were the people in the delegations.”

“The other people in my delegation were awesome. I could tell them anything. I was surprised by how much we (the youth delegates) controlled the camp. I learned advanced leadership skills and how to better make friends at Step-Up.”

“CISV has made me more compassionate.”

My understanding of the world was affected by participating in a CISV Village because I realized that even though we come from totally different places we are all human. Though we are all different, we can be friends. An activity during Village that taught me a lot was rich & poor day. This had a View Full →

“I learned a lot about walking in other people’s shoes and world conflicts. I’d like to tell future CISV delegations that they should enjoy every minute of camp.”

The best part was meeting and getting to know everyone. I was disappointed by how fast the time went. The other people in my delegation were amazing. I love them all. I learned better leadership skills and how to learn to communicate with the non-fluent English speakers. I’d like to tell future CISV delegations to View Full →

The most important thing that I learned about myself is that I am very strong and independent. I can do things now that I did not think I could do. I believe in myself a lot. The best part was meeting people from around the world. I’d like to tell future CISV delegations to make View Full →