In the heart of West Virginia, where the Kanawha River winds through Charleston, a remarkable story of cultural exchange unfolds each summer. Angie Haas, Human Resources Manager for the Monarch Family of Hotels managed by Remington Hospitality, has been hosting international participants through the Summer Work Travel program for eight years, creating lasting connections that span continents and cultures.
In August, I spoke with Angie and three of her Summer 2024 participants about their experiences.
The Power of Cultural Exchange
The Summer Work Travel program, overseen by the U.S. Department of State, enables college students worldwide to work in the United States during their summer break. According to the State Department’s data, these exchanges promote mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries while providing valuable work experience.
This summer, Haas’s hotels welcomed participants from China, Mongolia, and the Dominican Republic, creating a microcosm of global culture in West Virginia’s capital city. “We’ve so much enjoyed being part of this program,” Haas shares. “It brings a lot, not just for the [Summer Work Travel] team members, but for our team members, too. We get to have help during a busy time for us.”
Creating Meaningful Connections
What sets Haas’s approach apart is her commitment to creating immersive cultural experiences. This year, she initiated several innovative programs:
International Book Club
Participants read The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck, a choice that beautifully bridges cultures. Buck, born in West Virginia but raised in China, represents the kind of cross-cultural understanding the program aims to foster. During a visit to the West Virginia State Museum, participants discovered a Pearl S. Buck exhibit, bringing the connection full circle.
One participant, Shiqin from China, found particular resonance with the book’s themes. She shared a fascinating cultural insight about her coastal hometown: “In China, in the place where I’m from, the ocean God is actually a female, and every time we wanted to go fishing or go abroad by ocean, we will go to the temple of the female God to pray.”
Exchange Day Celebrations
The group celebrated Exchange Day in August 2024, featuring a potluck of international cuisines. Participants prepared dishes from their home countries, with one team member explaining how her Chinese dish reflected her country’s flag colors. The hosts contributed local West Virginia favorites, including the iconic pepperoni rolls and barbecue.
Breaking Down Cultural Barriers
The program creates opportunities for authentic cultural exchange that benefit both the international participants and the local community. Haas organizes regular activities that introduce participants to American culture while encouraging them to share their own traditions.
One Mongolian participant, Mandie, shared her culture by teaching others about shagai, traditional sheep or goat ankle bones used for both divination and games in Mongolia. These moments of cultural sharing help break down barriers and foster genuine understanding.
First-Time Experiences
Some of the most meaningful moments come from experiencing American culture through fresh eyes. As Haas recounts, “Getting to experience their first time of things with them has been really fun.” These experiences include:
- Attending first baseball games
- Discovering American banking customs
- Trying regional foods like pepperoni rolls
- Experiencing Fourth of July celebrations
“Some things we take for granted in America, they don’t experience in their country,” Haas explains. “One thing as simple as going through a bank drive-thru, where you put your stuff in the canister and you send it over, amazes them so much.”
Community Impact
The program’s influence extends beyond the workplace. Charleston, West Virginia residents have embraced the international visitors, leading to spontaneous cultural exchanges. During local events like South Charleston’s Summerfest, participants immerse themselves in local traditions while sharing their own cultural perspectives.
Economic and Cultural Benefits
The timing of the program aligns perfectly with the Mountain State‘s peak tourist season. “Charleston, West Virginia is four hours from some of the biggest cities,” Haas explains. “We get a lot of people that travel through and they’ll stop in Charleston. That’s kind of their halfway point in some cases.”
According to the Alliance for International Exchange, J-1 Exchange Visitors contribute significantly to the U.S. economy while filling critical seasonal workforce needs. More importantly, they create lasting connections that promote international understanding and cooperation.
Lasting Connections
Perhaps the most touching aspect of Haas’s hosting experience is the lasting relationships formed. “I have team members that I’ve kept in touch with all over the years,” she shares. One particularly moving example involves a 2017 participant from the Dominican Republic who now works in the hotel industry in her home country, demonstrating the program’s long-term professional impact.
Advice for Future Hosts
When asked about advice for potential host employers, Haas is enthusiastic: “It would be to do it. There really isn’t a loss in it… The ones that I’ve been able to help and to host has been worthwhile. The different perspectives that they give, the culture that they share with us just as much as we share our culture with them makes it well worthwhile.”
Looking Forward
As this summer’s program drew to a close, the participants were planning trips to New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., eager to experience more of American culture before returning home. Meanwhile, the impact of their presence in Charleston, West Virginia will continue to ripple through the community, fostering greater cultural understanding and appreciation.
The success of cultural exchange programs like this one in West Virginia demonstrates how meaningful cross-cultural experiences can transform both visitors and hosts, creating lasting connections that span continents and cultures. As Haas and her team have shown, when communities open their doors to international exchange, everyone benefits from the resulting cultural richness and understanding.
If you’re interested in bringing international culture to your seasonal business, learn more about all the benefits of the InterExchange Work & Travel USA program.
