It’s Not Just Israel — These 6 Other Countries Offer Birthright Trips, Too

Image by birthright israel

By Lana Adler December 2, 2016

Birthright isn’t just for Jews anymore.

Following the same model, a number of cultural organizations and governments have created programs to connect diasporic communities in North America with their ancestral cultures.

1) Heritage Greece

Founded by the National Hellenic Society, Heritage Greece offers Greek-American undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 26 a two-week immersive summer trip. The trip is specifically geared toward second-, third-, or fourth-generation Americans with little to no connection with their Greek heritage. The goal is to introduce them to their culture and ignite their interest and pride. Participants tour important cultural sites, spend time with a Greek family, and take classes in Greek language, cooking and culture. In-country costs are covered for participating students.

2) ReConnect Hungary

Hungarian-Americans and Canadians between the ages 18 and 26 are offered a 2-week trip designed to expose them to Hungarian culture. They get to meet with Hungarian businesspeople, politicians and other leaders. The trip extends outside the current Hungarian borders, to Hungarian communities that were once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and are now parts of other countries. Participants visit the specific villages their families came from. The trip isn’t free, but the price tag overs travel, food, boarding and activities.

3) Birthright Macedonia

Anyone over the age of 18 with Macedonian heritage can participate in Birthright Macedonia, which takes place over three weeks in the summer. The program includes an internship program that is meant to compliment personal, academic and/or career goals while introducing the intern to Macedonian culture, as well as a Macedonian family-stay, visits to sites around Macedonia, and lessons in Macedonian language and culture. The program is specifically geared toward developing contacts and friendships between native Macedonians and members of the Macedonian diaspora.

4) Birthright Armenia

Image by birthright israel

Geared toward participants aged 20-32, Birthright Armenia is a longer-term program, with a minimum commitment of four weeks of volunteering. The program covers travel expenses and gives a monthly stipend to participants who stay for over 18 weeks. Volunteers are matched with a host family, and participate in language and culture immersion while volunteering. Over 800 Diasporic Armenians have participated so far.

5) TuCuba

Cuban Diaspora organization CubaOne offers a free trip for Cuban-Americans between the ages of 22 and 35 who are looking to connect with their Cuban heritage, and specifically to build meaningful relationships with Cuban people. Trips vary in focus and include focused programs in politics/policy, art and literature, local and national culture, history, ecology and industry. All programs include person-to-person connections with other young Cubans in the participant’s field and/or area of interest.

6) Global Irish Summer Camp

The Ireland-based group Diaspora Matters, which focuses on connecting people in the Irish Diaspora with their heritage, teamed up with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to create the Global Irish Summer Camp, which is designed for American teenagers of Irish descent between the ages of 15 and 17. The program covers all in-country costs, and includes classes and workshops on Irish history, language and culture, as well as relevant field trips to important sites across Ireland.

Here’s wondering if the hook up scene crosses cultural lines…

Lana Adler is a Forward Fellow working in opinion. Follow her on Twitter @Lana_Macondo

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forward. Discover more perspectives in Opinion. To contact Opinion authors, email opinion@forward.com.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO