Intercultural

What Intercultural does

Intercultural is a Brazilian exchange and travel agency founded in 1995 in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, operating as a multi-product consultancy that intermediates between Brazilian individuals/families and partner language schools, high schools, universities, and work-program institutions in 40+ countries. Its core product portfolio spans language courses abroad, High School exchange programs, supervised Férias Teen vacation programs, Work Experience and Au Pair placements, Estudo e Trabalho programs, volunteer placements, Disney packages, higher education advisory, and professional development courses, complemented by ancillary travel services (flights, insurance, accommodation, visa support). The company does not develop proprietary technology or platforms; its core operational layer is a 30+ location franchise retail network across Brazilian states (Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais, and the Federal District), supported by a centralized WhatsApp and online contact center.

The business model is a hybrid of affiliate/referral commissions from partner institutions and direct service and consultation fees charged to customers. Pricing is fully quote-based and customized per customer profile, destination, duration, and add-on selections; no standardized price list is published, and customers must request a personalized budget through the website, WhatsApp, or in-store consultation. Intercultural holds industry certifications from Belta, ICEF, IAPA, and the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism's Cadastur registry, and operates as an authorized agent for global education brands including Kings Education, ILSC, Rennert, EC, Kaplan, ELS, ILAC, IMG Academy, Istituto Marangoni, and high school placement organizations CCUSA, AYUSA, ICES, Educatius Group, and WEP. The company claims over 100,000 students placed since inception and reports a workforce of 101-250 employees.

Customer acquisition relies on a multi-channel mix of organic social (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn), blog content and travel diaries, WhatsApp/online lead capture, promotional events (Feirão de Férias), a free lead-magnet handbook (Manual do Intercambista), and word-of-mouth referrals from its large alumni base. The company has no publicly disclosed parent, no disclosed institutional investment, and no subsidiaries; it is privately held and founder-managed, with franchise expansion ('Seja um franqueado') as its primary distribution growth lever.

Name

Intercultural

Legal name

Intercultural

Website

https://intercultural.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Exchange & Travel Agency Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Travel Agencies (561510), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Short-Term Secondary Immersion & Cultural Exchange Trips (EDAIAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB), Au Pair Training, Orientation & Cultural Exchange Programs (HSAAAEAD), Language Immersion & Cultural Exchange Programs (THAKAGAE)

Keywords

• Exchange program services
• Study abroad consulting
• Language travel agency
• High school exchange programs
• International travel services

Headquarters

HQ city

Blumenau

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Program commission (partner schools): Intercultural earns commissions from its partner language schools and educational institutions worldwide for placing Brazilian students in exchange programs. As an intermediary between students and overseas schools, the agency receives referral commissions included in program pricing.
2. Service and consultation fees: The agency charges fees for personalized advisory services including visa processing support, university counseling, course selection, and travel logistics (flights, insurance, accommodations). These fees complement commission revenue from partner institutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Intercultural is a Brazilian retail agency that consults, plans, and sells international exchange programs — including language courses, high school, teen vacations, work-and-study, au pair, volunteer, and higher education placements — through 30+ franchise stores and a central contact center. The agency acts as an intermediary between Brazilian consumers and partner schools in 40+ countries, earning commissions from those schools plus fees for advisory, visa support, and travel logistics.

Product overview

Intercultural is a Brazilian exchange and travel agency established in 1995, offering a comprehensive portfolio of international experience programs. The company operates as a multi-product platform providing language courses abroad (general, technical, hobby-combined, exam preparation, and family programs), High School exchange programs (public, private, boarding, and mini formats), Férias Teen vacation programs for teenagers, work and study opportunities, Au Pair placements, volunteer programs, Disney travel packages, higher education advisory services, and professional development courses. The company also provides travel support services including accommodations, flights, insurance, and visa assistance. With over 30 years of experience, Intercultural serves as a comprehensive consultancy connecting Brazilians with international educational and travel experiences across more than 40 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Language Courses Abroad (Estudar / Cursos de Idiomas) Language immersion courses abroad covering general languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean), technical/professional language courses (Business English, Medical English, Legal English, Aviation English, Digital Marketing English), hobby-combined courses, exam preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge, DELF, DELE), and family programs. Duration 2 weeks to 1 year, for Brazilian learners aged 13+.
• High School Exchange Programs High school exchange programs for Brazilian students aged 14-18 to complete part of secondary education abroad at public schools, private schools, boarding schools, or short-stay Mini High School programs. Duration ranges from 4 weeks (Mini High School) to 1+ year. Partner organizations include AYUSA, ICES, Educatius Group, and WEP.
• Férias Teen (Teen Vacation Programs) Supervised group vacation programs for Brazilian teenagers aged 13-17 combining English classes, cultural activities, and guided tours in destinations such as London, Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Malibu, and Oxford (Europa Jovem). Duration 2-4 weeks with Intercultural monitors accompanying the group.
• Work Experience USA Work experience programs in the United States for Brazilian young people to gain professional experience abroad, including seasonal work placements and visa support.
• Work Experience Croatia (Work Experience Croácia) Work experience program in Croatia for Brazilian participants seeking seasonal work and cultural immersion abroad.
• Camp Counselors USA Placement of Brazilian participants as counselors in U.S. summer camps, delivered through official partnership with CCUSA (Camp Counselors USA).
• Internship and Trainee Programs Internship and trainee placement programs for Brazilian young professionals seeking structured international work experience abroad.
• Au Pair Programs Au pair cultural exchange placements in Germany, Australia (Demi Pair), Belgium, and the United States, allowing Brazilian participants to live with host families abroad while providing childcare in exchange for room, board, and pocket money.
• Work and Study Programs (Estudo e Trabalho) Combined work-and-study programs in Germany, Australia, Canada, UAE, Spain, Ireland, Malta, and New Zealand, allowing Brazilian participants to study part-time and work part-time with legal authorization.
• Volunteer Programs (Voluntariado) International volunteer placements in environmental, animal, health, and social sectors abroad for Brazilian participants seeking meaningful cultural and service experiences.
• Disney Programs Teen travel programs to Disney parks in Florida (January and July editions) combining English learning components with theme park visits and supervised group activities.
• Higher Education Advisory and Placement (Educação Superior) Counseling and placement services for Brazilian students pursuing undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, university extension programs, pre-university/foundation/pathway programs, and professional development courses at foreign universities. Partner institutions include Istituto Marangoni (fashion/design) and Global University Systems (GUS) network.
• Professional Development Courses (Aprimoramento Profissional) Professional development and specialization courses abroad for Brazilian professionals seeking career advancement, including MBAs, short courses, and certifications at international institutions.
• Travel Support Services (Tudo para a sua viagem) Travel logistics add-on services including car rental, international prepaid cards, international SIM cards, cruises, hotels and accommodation, attraction tickets, flights, train passes and tickets, travel insurance, and visa assistance. Sold as bundled or standalone add-ons alongside exchange program purchases.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ students successfully completed exchange programs with Intercultural
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Intercultural Relations (support provider in Namibia welding initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025Intercultural Relations (which shares the Intercultural name and may be the same or a related entity) provided support to a vocational welding training program launched at Nakanyale Vocational Training Centre in Outapi, Namibia. The initiative was funded by the Post Code Lottery from Germany, with equipment donated by the German Embassy, and involved multiple partners including WeldNAM, NIMT, and GSI Namibia.
• WeldNAMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025WeldNAM is a Namibian welding industry body that participated as a supporting partner in the Outapi welding training initiative led by Intercultural Relations, addressing Namibia's demand for skilled technical artisans in Oil & Gas and Green Hydrogen sectors.
• Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025NIMT is a Namibian vocational training institute that co-supported the five-day welding training program at Nakanyale Vocational Training Centre, contributing to workforce development in Namibia's industrial growth sectors.
• GSI NamibiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025GSI Namibia participated as a supporting partner in the Outapi welding training program, contributing to Namibia's capacity building for industrial development in Oil & Gas and Green Hydrogen.
• Kings Education (Oxford, London, Malibu campuses)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKings Education is a major language school group with campuses in Oxford, London (University of London), and Malibu (Pepperdine University). Intercultural places Brazilian students in Kings' language courses, high school preparation, and teen summer programs (Europa Jovem in Oxford, Férias Teen London, Férias Teen Malibu). Kings provides the academic programs, accommodation (homestay or student residence), and in-country activities.
• ILSC (Toronto and Vancouver campuses)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILSC is a leading language school with campuses in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada. Intercultural sends Brazilian students to ILSC for language courses and teen programs (Férias Teen Toronto, Férias Teen Vancouver). ILSC provides academic instruction, student activities, and accommodation options (homestay and student residence on UBC campus).
• Rennert International (New York)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRennert International is a language school in New York with 50+ years of experience. Intercultural places students in Rennert's teen summer programs (Férias Teen Nova York). Rennert provides English courses, extracurricular activities, and accommodation in an off-campus student residence in Manhattan.
• EC English Language CentresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEC English is a global language school network. Intercultural is a certified partner/reseller placing Brazilian students in EC's programs across their school network.
• English Language Studies International (ELS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELS (English Language Studies) is an international language school organization with campuses worldwide. Intercultural is a certified partner placing students in ELS programs.
• Kaplan InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKaplan International is a global education provider offering language courses and test preparation at schools in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Intercultural is a certified partner for Kaplan programs.
• Global University Systems (GUS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal University Systems is an international education network including universities and language schools. Intercultural partners with GUS institutions for higher education placement and language programs.
• ILAC (International Language Academy of Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerILAC is a leading Canadian language school. Intercultural is an authorized agent placing Brazilian students in ILAC programs.
• IMG AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMG Academy is a sports and academic boarding school in the USA (Bradenton, Florida). Intercultural places students in IMG Academy's programs combining sports training and academic study.
• Istituto MarangoniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIstituto Marangoni is a prestigious Italian fashion, design, and art school with campuses in Milan, Rome, Florence, London, Paris, Shanghai, Dubai, and Miami. Intercultural places Brazilian students in Istituto Marangoni's higher education and language programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Experimento Intercâmbio: Brazilian exchange agency with a national retail presence and a focus on language, high school, and work/study programs; competes directly with Intercultural for outbound Brazilian students.
• World Study: Brazilian exchange agency offering language courses, high school, work and study, and volunteer programs through a multi-store retail footprint; directly comparable in product breadth and Brazilian consumer target market.
• IE Intercâmbio: Brazilian exchange agency with a multi-branch retail network offering language courses, work/study, high school, and au pair programs; targets the same teen and adult Brazilian outbound segments as Intercultural.
• STB Student Travel Bureau: Long-established Brazilian exchange agency (founded 1971) with a nationwide retail branch network selling language courses, high school, and exchange programs; competes head-to-head with Intercultural for the same Brazilian consumer segments.
• CI Intercâmbio: One of Brazil's largest exchange agencies, offering language courses, high school, work/study, and au pair programs across a multi-branch retail network; directly comparable to Intercultural in product mix, customer base, and Brazilian franchise distribution model.
• Intercâmbio Global: Brazilian exchange agency operating a multi-store retail network across Brazil, offering language courses, high school, and travel programs with similar service-and-consultation positioning to Intercultural.

Emerging players

• Kaplan International: Global English-language school group that partners with Intercultural for Brazilian placements but increasingly sells direct-to-consumer through its own website; partial overlap in target customer and product category.
• International House: Global network of language schools with a presence in Brazil through partner agents; competes with Intercultural by capturing language-course demand that might otherwise be routed through Brazilian agencies.
• EC English Language Centres: Global network of English-language schools that partners with Intercultural for Brazilian student intake; competes with Intercultural in the language-course segment as it expands direct digital marketing to Brazilian consumers.

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: Global language and study abroad incumbent with its own language schools, university pathway programs, and exchange divisions; competes with Intercultural in Brazil through both retail and direct digital channels, but operates at vastly larger scale and vertical integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/interculturalfln
• Facebookfacebook.com/intercultural
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/intercultural
• Instagraminstagram.com/interculturalbr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Intercultural