STEP IN Connecting cultures

Small things can often have a big impact: What might appear to be a minor experience at first glance can dismantle barriers, tear down fences, eradicate prejudices – first in the heart, then the mind and ultimately for life. We firmly believe that the more people venture across their borders and take a look at what lies beyond them, the more open and peaceful our world will be.

Tolerance – An ambitious goal
Located in Bonn-Bad Godesberg, the STEP IN (Student Travel & Education Programmes International) exchange program has set itself an ambitious goal: Bring people from different countries together and foster a dialogue with an eye to enriching all involved, making culture, language, religion, customs and traditions understandable, overcoming barriers and helping people accept differences. Over the years, STEP IN has systematically pursued this goal and continuously put it into practice – building on a vision of the greatest possible mutual acceptance and on the enthusiasm and passion of STEP IN staff members who have all lived abroad and would like others to have an opportunity to gather similarly wonderful impressions and experiences too.

Programs for every taste
We are always bent on offering the widest possible range of choices so that you are sure to find a good match for what you have in mind and the time you have available. You can even combine two or more options. Many of our programs are the product of suggestions from participants or were optimized on the basis of their input. Our programs are designed to be fun and at the same time open the door to working or taking classes abroad. They are set up to foster professional, linguistic and personal development, encourage reflection, participation and new ways of seeing and listening. STEP IN programs will make you want to experience more and, not least of all, increase awareness of and tolerance for the variety life has to offer. In keeping with this spirit, participants in STEP IN programs are multicultural, curious and unprejudiced – and ultimately ambassadors of our world in other countries. The positive feedback we receive – which ranges from "Now I have friends from all over the world" to "That was the best time of my life" all the way to "I found myself" – tells us we're on the right track. Only those who are curious enough to explore other cultures without applying their own standards, only those who are willing to try new things out, observe, enter into a dialogue with the world and are thrilled that the world is so colorful truly learn tolerance.

The future
Victor Hugo once said, "The future has many names: For the weak, it means the unattainable. For the fearful, it means the unknown. For the courageous, it means opportunity." If you view your future as such an opportunity and are game to discover and explore new things, then STEP IN is the place for you. Learn a language, work in an international environment, think and act on a cross-border level, acquire skills that employers everywhere appreciate today. Young people in particular continually report how much their prospects on the job market have improved since they added a longer stay abroad to their C.V. – and not just because of their fluency in a foreign language but also because they have proven themselves to be more flexible and open than other job applicants who do not have this type of experience to show. Nowhere else do you learn so much about yourself as in a foreign country and nowhere else can you view things so well from a new perspective – the type of perspective that makes acceptance possible in the first place. With STEP IN's many-sided programs it is easier than ever before to open the door to a new perspective. Go on, take that first step – we'll be there to help you.

Customized service
Our service is, above all, comprehensive, high-quality, friendly and tailored to your needs. As a participant in one – or more – of our programs, you will receive personal guidance and as much counseling from us as you think necessary. We're particularly pleased to help young people on the threshold of their working lives, pleased to share our experience with them, knowing at the same time that nothing can take the place of personal experience. We will ensure that you receive the greatest possible support so that your stay abroad will be one of the best and most interesting experiences you ever have. However, the key to success here is you: your commitment, curiosity, desire to learn, good attitude and adaptability.

Professional partners
STEP IN has many years' experience working on a cross-border basis with an outstanding network of professional partner organizations all around the world. These partners are in regular personal contact with us and make sure that STEP IN participants receive excellent support "on location". STEP IN is a member of the Federation of Youth Travel Organisations which joins together more than 500 organizations. These organizations have jointly developed numerous guidelines for conducting work and study stays abroad. Members commit themselves, for example, to exercising the greatest possible responsibility vis-à-vis their participants, to working only with reputable partners in the respective host country and providing all participants a competent point of contact directly on location at all times. The Federation holds regular conferences that are always attended by one or more STEP IN representatives.

A committed team
Our staff knows what they’re talking about and how important spending time in another country can be for one’s career. They have all spent time abroad and can consequently provide first-hand information, give tips and dispel major or minor fears. They also know STEP IN programs in and out and have even participated in them. As a result, you will always be dealing with someone who has personally gotten an idea of what to expect directly on location, is directly involved in refining and optimizing our programs and stands completely behind what he or she offers you. This makes work fun. In addition to providing a unique service, our highly motivated and dedicated team of 40 undergoes continuing training on a regular basis.

Just STEP IN!

Matthias Ohm, Frank Arens and the STEP IN-Team

Matthias Ohm, Director  Frank Arens, Director