off to a Great startEstablished in 2016, Grow Abroad LLc (formerly Visions USA) embraces young students and works to help them build confidence and competence in their language skills. We encourage them to dive into the American way of life and lifestyle. Our goal is that each student feels comfortable with us, gains an insight into our communities, and ultimately sees our hometowns as their new home.
As of January 2020, we are happy to be announcing the transition to our new name, Grow Abroad LLc. Same quality programs, same people, new, easier to remember, name! Thanks to all the good years, "Visions USA"! more than a tripOur US staff are qualified educators and licensed instructors. Our sessions are designed specifically to address the needs and skills of youth ages 12 to 17. Grow Abroad and our local host families provide a unique opportunity to share personal perspectives of their cities, country and culture with the amazing young students from different countries who attend our programs.
A big thanks to the years of Grow Abroad staff teams!! We simply could not do it without you!
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Director Katie Wilson
Katie Wilson is an educator with a heart for linguistic, cultural, & community development who values authenticity, patience, and transformational growth.
She is Director and CEO of Grow Abroad Asheville, a local Cultural Exchange Program-meets-Summer Camp initiative, which fosters international cooperation, community outreach, and building lifelong relationships by providing educational programming to the students of Asheville and abroad, expanding young people's perspectives, and fostering international understanding through learning and sharing our culture and diversity, promoting a mutual understanding of the world and its people. Katie’s other ventures include working in afterschool clubs and programming at Rainbow Community School, a private school & national leader in holistic, alternative and mindful education that draws from the best in current educational thinking and holistic models of child development, as well as designing and implementing well rounded and nurturing environments for Early Childhood Development co-op programs, offering a space for creative, independent, and child driven learning. On top of all that, she is also deeply involved in local and international Yoga communities, with two accredited teaching certifications and currently teaching weekly virtual classes. Katie earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Applied Linguistics (Teaching English to speakers of foreign languages) from Appalachian State University. “It is my purpose on this planet to connect people, places, and ideas. I also love a good book, hiking in our local WNC wilderness, traveling the world, enjoying lots of coffee and chocolate and planning soul- centered trips around the world." |
"I went on two trips to Asheville in previous summers. Right from the very first contact my parents and I just knew that my time in America would be awesome. Looking back, trust me when I say: it was phenomenal! I had a really good time with my lovely host family. It was an unforgettable experience that had a great impact on me. The improvement of my English skills was only a part of it."
- Lea Hellmann, Bremen, Germany
- Lea Hellmann, Bremen, Germany
Our Mission:
To provide students with a unique opportunity to develop in their English skills through a once-in-a-lifetime trip in the United States. To exceed client expectations by providing exceptional service. We are driven by, and highly responsible to, student and parent expectations. We establish and maintain lasting client relationships by serving as trusted advisers.
