Exchange
Come join us!
EIM Exchange was started as a volunteer and teaching program in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. It has grown to be an international community of individuals who fell in love with Haiti, its people through the incomparable experience of cultural immersion and exchange. Over one third of EIM volunteers have returned to Haiti again.
Haiti is about adventure and discovery in every way. EIM Exchange is fueled by that spirit. Forget private SUVs and secluded resorts. Instead, think unbeaten paths, Caribbean coastlines forgotten by history, majestic waterfalls deep in jungles – and a whole lot of fun along the way.
Every EIM trip is designed to be as authentic as possible – giving you a first-hand journey into the culture, food, music, and landscapes that make this country so incredible. Although safety is our top concern, we also don’t shelter our volunteers from the day-today realities of Haiti. Instead we strive to provide a truly immersive experience that goes beyond the headlines and entices you to come back again and again. In fact, we’re proud to say that over 30% of our volunteers have returned to Haiti for a second (or third or fourth or fifth…) visit.
UPCOMING TRIPS
No 2020 trips scheduled at this time
Email steph@eimhaiti.org to join the 2021 waitlist
Trip Itinerary
Friday
Arrive in Port-au-Prince, get a tour of the green initiatives going on at our home Haiti Communitere. Meet the students and have them teach you Creole!
Saturday
Get a downtown tour of Port-au-Prince including the palace, cathedral, iron market and a visit to the museum, to get a better understanding of this complicated country and its complicated past. Spend the afternoon doing a school-wide conversation class with EIM students.
Sunday
Spend the day relaxing at the beach. This is the Caribbean after all!
Monday-Friday
While the daily afternoon activity will be teaching classes at EIM, we’ll also spend each mornings visiting and volunteering around Port-au-Prince. Sample activities include alternative gardening projects, a local’s tour of Croix-des-Bouquet or Cite Soleil, sports and arts programs with neighborhood kids, visits to artisan workshops, and much, much more.
Friday night- Saturday
Head up to the mountains of Furcy. Stay at the beautiful Rustik B&B in the woods and enjoy the cool air and gorgeous scenery of day hikes in this area.
Friday night- Saturday
Sleep in, group brunch, fly home!
OUR LEADERS
-
“Gwo” Peterson
Peterson Bornelus, or “Gwo” is the bigger of our two Petersons. He also has a big personality. Ask to see his dance moves on your next trip.
-
Ansly
The only thing Ansly Pierre enjoys more than leading trips, is getting his hands in the dirt. Beyond guiding, Ansly is EIM’s garden manager.
What are people saying?
-
Volunteering with EIM was a life-changing experience, and an incredible way to see Haiti! Our day-to-day interactions with the students were real, meaningful exchanges, far deeper than you’d get on the usual tourist trip. I’ve continued to visit the country years later, using much of the Creole that I learnt in turn!
- Alex Beck, Photographer
-
Thank you EIM for one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The people, the place, the food, the fun. Incredibly well organized and all for such an incredible cause. I’ll be back!
- Megan Campbell, Talent Manager
-
I haven’t had a true cultural exchange since I study abroad in college – and I’ve traveled a lot since then! EIM really sets the global volunteers and locals up for an intimate immersive experience.
- Monica Goff, Executive Asst
-
A truly multifaceted, immersive experience of Haiti and Haitian culture. The people of Haiti are the most wonderful people on the planet.
- Andy Kleiman, Play Therapist
-
As a person of color deeply passionate about the growth of the diaspora and educating the outside world to help change the narrative and perspective of countries like Haiti, I am truly thankful for the experience I had with EIM. The passion behind the program, the amazing students and people, along with an authentic cultural experience of the island – I would recommend this trip to anyone looking to discover more of the world less traveled with a genuine volunteer component that is without a doubt pushing the community forward.
- Jakiya Brown, Travel Influencer
