off to a Great start

Established 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 trip

Our 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. Visions USA and our local host families provide the unique opportunity to share lots of aspects of their cities, country and culture with our amazing young students from different countries.
A big thanks to the years of Visions USA staff teams!! We simply could not do it without you!
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"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

Director Katie Wilson

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A linguist at heart, teaching and learning languages is my first passion. I have a  degree in Spanish and Applied Linguistics (Teaching English to speakers of foreign languages). An educator since 2012, I have taught everything from Spanish to Yoga, and across all ages, from PreK through highschool. No matter the subject, I am passionate about working in educational settings, tying in my passions for international development, community building, forming meaningful connections among students, teachers, family, and my greater community. I love working with young people! I also love a good book, hiking in our local WNC wilderness, traveling the world, and coffee and chocolate :)

First experiences with International Education
In 2015, I lived abroad to teach English through the public school system in Isla Mujeres, alongside regular classroom teachers and with the support of the Ministry of Education in Quintana Roo, Mexico. It was an unbelievably wonderful experience for me, I fell in love with Mexican culture and teaching abroad. It was a pivotal moment for me in my career in international education and student exchange. I realized the great learning potential in cultural exchange. My students learned so much more from me than English nouns and sayings. By interacting and bonding with me, they gained tangible knowledge and exposure to a foreign culture. And I often felt as though through my experience I learned more than my students! The experience of living in a foreign environment meant exposure to culture and language on a day-to-day, minute-to-minute basis. I adapted and developed in my new setting. I deeply value that experience of immense learning and growth, and that has led me to the desire to bring about similar opportunities for experiential learning for young people.
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With Visions USA
I am thrilled to develop my passion for cultural immersion and experiential learning with an ESL intensive summer camp program in my home town, Asheville NC. In 2017, I developed the ESL curriculum, acted as Program Director taking care of everything from planning activities and over seeing staff members to coordinating with local organizations, and taught as lead ESL instructor. As of 2018 I was proud to take on the entire company as Director of Operations.
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.