InterExchange - Local Culture. Global Relationships.

InterExchange

Why choose InterExchange?

We're here to connect you with meaningful travel experiences around the world, including Au Pair, Work & Travel, Educational Tours, Language Learning and more. InterExchange has been around for over 50 years. We've all lived and worked abroad so we know what it's like to prepare to take the big leap! Whether you plan to travel next month, next year, or beyond, we look forward in starting a conversation about your travel goals.

Reviews

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Albert
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Helpful throughout the process

Ashley was extremely helpful and supportive throughout the process. As many that are possibly looking into this program that are brand new to this process, as I was. She was very helpful, informative, patient, and supportive throughout the process. If there was a question I had, if she didn't have the direct answer, she at least was able to steer me into the right direction to find one.

I recommend this program to all but especially those who are new to looking to work, temporarily live, have extended vacation, etc within Canada. Their program makes it very simple to go through this process.

Cost is a factor as well. As the program is cheap to me due to the simplicity, helpfulness, patience, and guidance. So it may be expensive to others but I feel like the service you get is definitely worth the cost.

Pros
  • Simplicity
  • Helpful
  • Patient
Default avatar
Natalie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

amazing support!!

Ashley has been such a huge help in guiding me through the work visa application process. the process can be a bit confusing and complicated and im so glad i had her support. she was so kind and patient and made the whole procedure so much less stressful! im very grateful for her assistance and highly recommend her to others in the InterExchange program if you're looking for help with the work visa application process! :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pros
  • informative
  • helpful
Default avatar
Katin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Program

I have never traveled out of the country before this, especially alone, so this was a lifelong dream of mine. The support and structure InterExchange has makes me feel SO safe and cared for while doing something so out of my comfort zone. In the process of getting everything set I had so many questions I was probably driving the team crazy with my constant phone calls & emails. Throughout my constant pestering they listened to me, answered, and supported every question, concern, or hesitation I had. If you are like me and want the added help with planning and making the leap of living abroad, do yourself a favor and reach out to InterExchange!

Default avatar
Kailey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So Helpful!

I had a fantastic experience! All of my questions were answered quickly and thoroughly. The whole team made an overwhelming process very smooth and manageable. The helpful team was absolutely the highlight of the program for sure. I went through the process to live and work in Canada from the United States. I was able to move to a town that I had already been to and had connections in the community. I didn't utilize any of the housing resources but it was nice to know that it was an option.I would highly recommend!

Default avatar
Reina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Helped tremendously in my immigration journey!

I was able to successfully obtain and use 2 open work visas through the InterExchange Work & Travel Canada program (as a US citizen). The entire process via InterExchange is a process; there's paperwork, fees, and time waiting, as expected. Everything comes with a price, but I have found that it has been more than worth it in my experience. Working with InterExchange has been a breeze as well and I highly recommend them for their professionalism, thorough assistance, and variety of offers for travelers and newcomers.

The length of the validity of the actual visa is determined by the immigration officer upon landing (it is also in their discretion for how long) and during the activation of the visa. My first one was valid for 1-year and my second one is valid for 2-years (the officer must have been in a good mood that day :D it was on new year's day, lucky me)! I did not use these visas to apply for work as I was already working remotely. I used these visas in order to obtain a tax identification number (TIN) so that I could pay taxes as an independent contractor in Canada. This helped me tremendously in my immigration as I was able to keep working and living in Canada. I worked with James Bridge throughout the years and have really appreciated the thorough guidance and support each step of the way. Thank you, James!

I did not need accommodations or work as I already had both prior so I cannot speak to those. I highly recommend this program to anyone trying to jumpstart their immigration to Canada.

Pros
  • Thorough guidance
  • Many offerings for foreigners new to Canada
  • I felt supported and the process was quick and easy!
Cons
  • Cost
  • Instructions and directions can use improvement for participants to understand the hows/whys of the process
Response from InterExchange

Thanks Reina, for your comments! We're so glad it all worked out that you found the program to be helpful. I've reached out to you regarding your comments about the permit activation and guidelines and hope to be in touch soon!

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Emily DeMaioNewton

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Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I wanted to go abroad for a year, but found the vastness of that decision intimidating. I didn't study abroad in college, and the task of navigating abroad travel entirely on my own was daunting. InterExchange program provided structure and guidance to my trip. I likely wouldn't have gone abroad at all if I didn't find something like this.

InterExchange is perfect because they provide logistical help and structure without imposing any limits. I have tons of freedom but don't have to navigate logistical stressors on my own.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The program provider was there from the beginning to answer any questions I needed answered, and even to answer questions I didn't know I had!

Before I left, a representative was available via email and phone to answer my questions about cities in New Zealand, public transport, car costs and availability, food, packing tips--no question was too small. Most importantly, the representative called me before I left to let me know that I would need to get a year's supply of my prescription medication from my doctor before I went abroad. That was something I hadn't thought of, and something that would have been disastrous if I hadn't known to make those preparations in advance.

Ultimately I had to make all preparations myself, like booking flights and accommodation after the first week, but InterExchange prompted me along the way and gave helpful instructions for other things like how to set up a bank account.

Once I arrived in New Zealand, the InterExchange office became a great resource for recommending hostels, promoting all sorts of job opportunities, and giving travel recommendations. I also signed up for the welcome week, which was a great way to make friends and start out my year abroad on a confident note. During that week, we toured around the northern part of the North Island and saw the best sights to see. It was great not to have to navigate the beginning of my trip--being in a new country on the other side of the globe was overwhelming enough at first--and this week of travel ignited my passion to see the rest of the country.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

My main piece of advice is to be gentle with yourself. Being in a new country is overwhelming, and it's okay if at times you're unhappy. It takes a while to settle in to a new place. Try not to feel like if you're not doing something exciting at all times - you're wasting your time abroad. Sometimes you need to take a minute, or a few days, to breathe and settle into a routine. Try to hold onto activities that make you feel like yourself--reading, writing, drawing, running, whatever it may be.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The best thing about this program is that an average day or week can look however you want it to look! I know people I met during the welcome week who have jobs giving kayak tours, working on farms, who bought bus tickets and are traveling the country still.

I'm currently living in a very tiny town on the South Island working at a bookshop and a café. Most days, I have quiet mornings during which I work on writing fiction and poetry, which is exactly what I wanted from this year. There are opportunities for hiking, making new friends, watching the sunrise from all sorts of locations.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I began my experience abroad shortly after graduating from college, so it's the first time I'm completely in charge of my schedule and my responsibilities, like finances. I was afraid of becoming overwhelmed by all the new responsibilities of adulthood while also trying to navigate myself within a new country and culture.

InterExchange helped with a lot of this--helping me set up a bank account, answering questions about buying a car or what cities are most affordable. I took things slowly and continue to ease into it. I've started my travels by living for a few months in a small town where I'm less likely to get overwhelmed and where things will start to look familiar more quickly. After my time here, I plan to branch out, travel more and live in busier places. I'm trying to take the transition in sections, and it's working!

What did you like the most in the program?

New Zealand is more beautiful than I could have imagined. During the InterExchange welcome week, we kept visiting places and thinking we would never see a more beautiful sight, and then half an hour later we'd turn a corner and somehow see an even more beautiful view. One night, we went kayaking and saw bioluminescent algae that glows in the water like stars. Even during stressful times, the beauty of the place makes the visit worth it.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Melissa Horine

Job Title
Work Abroad Program Advisor
After traveling to Japan frequently as a child to visit relatives and receiving a BA in Anthropology, Melissa has been drawn to all corners of the world, from West Africa to Europe to South East Asia, and finally back to Japan, where she lived and worked in Tokyo for 3 years. Now back in New York City, she continues to live in an almost-foreign-culture in Brooklyn, while advising young Americans on how they can have their own work abroad experiences with InterExchange.
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What is your favorite travel memory?

During one vacation week in Japan, a friend and I took a bike tour of the bridges and tiny islands dotting the sea between two of the major southern islands of Japan. I was completely unprepared for this type of activity, having only ridden my bike a maximum of 45 minutes through city traffic at a time. There were injuries, moments of doubt, totally unexpected surprises, and encounters with some truly warm and beautiful people (as well as a couple of strange ones). We talked our way into sleeping on the dining room floor of one bed and breakfast and spent another night curled up in private booths in an internet café. We soaked our bodies in natural hot springs and took in some beautiful art on an entire-island-turned-art gallery called Naoshima. The sense of accomplishment and exhilaration I felt at the end of the trip was indescribable and I’ll never forget the views from the top of some of the most impressive man-made structures I’ve ever stepped on, nor the taste and smell of the hole-in-the-wall old school restaurants where we indulged in authentic Hiroshima okonomiyaki and Takamatsu curry udon.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I’ve learned to listen a lot more. Working with mostly young adults, I’ve noticed that not only does everyone have different motivations and goals for their cultural exchange, they’re all in different points of their life journeys. While many are looking to take a break from school or work for a bit, others are interested in gaining language skills, and some are looking to earn some cash and see the world. My reasons for working abroad were unique and specific to me, and I think it’s great that we can facilitate these types of opportunities for people with a wide range of interests and motivations.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I think the fact that we are a relatively small organization, and I work in one of the smallest departments within it, allows us to give real, quality and personalized service to each and every one of our applicants and participants. I’ve worked at large organizations that were very focused on numbers and quotas and were less than pleasant places to work at, let alone work with from the customers’ perspective. At InterExchange, we value the effect of the work we do, doing our best to live up to our organizational mission and each of us genuinely cares about how global understanding through intercultural exchange can influence our society in monumental ways.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Empathy. Keeping a finger on the pulse of our prospective participants helps us to determine in which direction to take our current and new initiatives. A lot of self-examination helps to clarify and expedite processes and practices. Being a 24/7 advocate for cultural exchange (study, work or travel abroad) helps to create more of a public dialogue about intercultural exchange programs and opportunities. Being aware of the level of knowledge our participants have about intercultural exchanges or gap years in theory, so that we can reflect and come up with ways to reach new audiences and/or create ambassadors who will promote these types of programs in the future.

Professional Associations

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