Summer 2025 has been an exciting season at Spirit Cultural Exchange, filled with vibrant cultural experiences that brought our BridgeUSA participants closer to the heart of life in the US. From festive local celebrations to meaningful traditions shared with host communities, this summer offered countless opportunities for learning, connection, and fun. In this blog, we’re highlighting some of our favorite cultural activity highlights that made the season unforgettable for participants and hosts alike.
Northeast
New York
Diamond Point – “Our employer gathered us all together to watch Madagascar together. We also had s’mores and watched the movie on an outdoor screen!”
Pennsylvania
Shawnee on Delaware – “My employer and I attended a farmers market where people were selling various items like flower, Fruits, baked goods, custom jewelry etc. It was a great way to experience culture!”
Midwest
Michigan
Mackinac Island – “Our employer hosted a craft night event where we were guided through hands-on workshops to learn how to create various objects. It was an engaging and collaborative experience that encouraged creativity and allowed team members to explore new skills!”
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Dells – “From the hustle at Wilderness Resort to the calm of Devils Lake, our group of cultural exchange participants from Bangkok, Thailand spent the day recharging in nature. After a week of welcoming guests and creating memories at work, we took time to hike scenic trails and relax while taking in the beauty of Wisconsin. This is what balance looks like: working hard and exploring America even harder.”
South Dakota
Rapid City – “Our employer took us to visit Mount Rushmore and took some nice photos there. We were enjoying ourselves in the shuttle and the amazing views along the way. We saw many wild animals like buffalo, rabbit, donkey and deer. And we even fed the donkeys. We got to check out a museum too!”
South
Alabama
Gulf Shores – “The employer organized a trip for all the persons of the hotel to visit the local Foley Hope Zoo. We saw animals such as giraffe, lion, cheetah, monkeys, sloth, chickens, goats, donkey and much more.”
Tennessee
Sevierville – “My employer organized a fun pool party. It was a blast and we ate many dishes. Also, I got to make more friends!”
South Carolina
Corolla – “All employees gathered to congratulate the birthday boy with cake and cupcakes. We also wrote wishes to him on the greeting card in honor of his birthday.”
West
Washington
Chittenden – “Our employer gave us the opportunity to go horseback riding on the trail at the Mountain Top Inn and Resort. It was a very unique experience!”
Colorado
Granby – “The employer wanted us to visit some towns close to Denver and explore the area, so we went on a 3 hour drive around there, it was so funny. We had a great time.”
As summer 2025 comes to a close, we’re grateful for the many cultural activity highlights that brought our participants and host communities together. These experiences not only created lasting memories but also helped foster a deeper understanding of life in the US. Whether it was sharing a traditional meal, joining in a local festival, or simply spending time with new friends, each activity played a part in building meaningful connections. We can’t wait to see what the next season holds and look forward to more cultural adventures ahead!