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Bringing people together as a means to building international peace and understanding through friendships and non-formal educational initiatives, has been central to our purpose for nearly 70 years.

Visionary leader, Robert Tesdell, forms the Association for World Travel Exchange, Inc. (AWTE), a New York City-based nonprofit, and purchases a brownstone on West 88th Street, which remains the home to our mission and programs to this day. Tesdell served as the Executive Director for nearly fifty years.

Following World War II international and cultural exchange organizations played an important role in promoting peace and mutual understanding. The Association for World Travel Exchange was among these pioneering institutions. 

Tesdell created the International Counselor Exchange Program (ICEP) to allow young people to learn about one another and gain greater human understanding in the context of American summer camps. ICEP was a trailblazing global exchange program in our country, one of the first of its kind. The program has served thousands of young people from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. ICEP successfully operated for 65 years, sponsoring thousands of young leaders from across the globe. Current leadership aspires to continue the legacy and resume operations of ICEP in 2023.

Nestled in a residential block on West 88th Street, a half block from Central Park, AWTE has operated the International Student Center (ISC), a hostel, which has served as a catalyst - fostering transformational experiences for young people, in an accessible and affordable way.  

US families hosted a student or camp counselor in their homes for a week or two, and in some cases just over weekends. These hospitality tours played a crucial role in nurturing mutually enriching experiences between young people from abroad and individuals and families in the US, while also exposing young people to diverse cultures, ideas, landscape and history.  

 Inspired to help nurture the philosophy and ideals of AWTE, Suresh Paul joined the organization as the Associate Director of ICEP and the International Student Center.  

 Suresh Paul succeeds Robert Tesdell as Executive Director of AWTE. Under Suresh Paul’s leadership, the International Student Center continued to thrive as a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. 

 With a steadfast determination to strengthen existing programs while remaining true to the commitment to build peace and understanding, Suresh Paul launched a new initiative, Arts for PEACE (Peace Education through the Arts, Culture and Exposure). 

 Like many organizations, in March 2020, the pandemic forced AWTE to pause operations. 

 Association for World Travel Exchange, Inc. (AWTE) merges with Cultural Connections Global Education, Inc. Aligned in mission and purpose with an unwavering commitment to global learning, together, we will continue to ensure that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to forge friendships across cultures through education and exploration. 

AWTE’s new co-executives, Rayda Marquez and Erin Friedman bring a vision for AWTE with an increased focus on deepened local ties, a rich network of global partners, and an expanded slate of programs.

As we emerge from the most intense time of this pandemic, organizations and community spaces like ours are needed now more than ever. AWTE reopens the International Student Center and offers an array of cultural initiatives through various collaborations with local partners, including NYC’s Department of Education, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), and partners around the world located in Albania, Colombia, Ecuador, the Gambia, Portugal, Spain, Uganda, the Netherlands, to name a few.