Program Reviews

My experience with the Interexchange teaching assistant program was a overall positive. I was placed at a boarding school in Northern France, and lived in an apartment with a german teaching assistant, another english teaching assistant, and two spanish teaching assistants. Living in the apartment with people around my age with such diverse backgrounds was one of the coolest parts of my experience. I also felt like I had a lot of freedom to travel around on my time off, something I valued.

PROS: I was in constant contact with my InterExchange representative, Sophie, and she was extremely welcoming and helpful. I felt comfortable reaching out to her with any concerns- about the program, the town I was in, or just questions about things to do in France in general. She looked after me very well and always made sure I was enjoying my experience. Also, the workload was not overwhelming in anyway.

CONS: I was in a very small town, and traveling around on the weekends was a little more difficult that I originally planned. I wished that I had voiced before I was placed that I would have preferred a larger city. I also had a goal of being very fluent and confident in my French, but spoke mostly English at the school and with my roomates. Even though my living situation was one of my favorite parts, doing a homestay might have helped with this.

I have done the Work and Travel in Canada program twice and have totally loved it. While traveling throughout Canada, I was able to be completely independent, however, I always knew I had a network of resources whenever I had questions that I could rely on. The Toronto office SWAP staff were incredibly welcoming and were very helpful when I needed assistance finding housing downtown. I am really happy I discovered this program and was able to experience all that Canada has to offer! :)

Teaching English the in a small village in Northern Thailand was the experience of a lifetime. From the eager to learn students, to the kind-hearted locals, to the weekend adventures around the country, to the mind-bogglingly delicious food and breathtaking nature, I will always remember my experience fondly.

InterExchange was incredibly helpful in helping to acclimate us to our new environment and provided dedicated support through the 6 month program. I would highly recommend InterExchange for anyone looking to have an enriching and comprehensive experience teaching English abroad.

I moved to Toronto in May 2016 two days after completing my undergraduate degree.

My first job was being boat deckhand on Lake Ontario, where I got to see the Toronto skyline from the water nearly every day. Through this job I met people from all over the world, as many of my coworkers were also on working holiday visas. In early fall I spent my days outdoors taking in the fresh air while providing maintenance to a golf course. During the holiday season I worked in sales at Lush Cosmetics with a lot of really cool people. Right now I am employed as an ice skating instructor at an outdoor rink at the Toronto Harbourfront - I get to watch the planes fly into the islands while taking in the beautiful skyline. :)

InterExchange is amazing and there to assist every step of the way during the application process and after. I seriously can't say enough good things about them! The hosting center here (SWAP) is equally as awesome. They will help you find housing, a job, and have regular social events for you to meet and hang out with other swappers. Additionally, the staff is incredibly friendly and really make you feel like you have a home away from home.

I've enjoyed Canada so much that I am currently in the process of applying for a second visa! My highlights here have included (but are definitely not limited to) being feet away from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Pride, exploring Nuit Blanche (an overnight event where the city is transformed into an artistic playground), and a whirlwind trip to Montreal where I hiked up Mount Royal. I'm planning on spending another summer in Toronto (because summer in this city is AMAZING) and then hoping to work on somewhere up north in the winter so I can see the northern lights. Or I might apply to work at a ski resort out west. There are so many options!

I would recommend this program to anyone, but especially to someone who wants to travel and explore but is nervous about being far from home. I feel comforted knowing that in an emergency I can take a bus to my family for less than $100.

Work and Travel Canada has changed my life. I've learned that you don't have to go far to live with a travel mindset - it's all about getting out of your comfort zone and taking chances. I've loved exploring Toronto (it's such an interesting and multicultural city) and I've made friends from all over the world. I can't wait to see what more adventures are in store. I'm so thankful for this program!

I applied with Interexchange to get a visa work at an arts camp I had gone to as a camper. It's so expensive and confusing to go through traditional routes for my employer and me. This program made it so simple! The staff were quick to respond and willing to answer all my questions. Thanks to them, I was able to get my visa in practically no time. I'll be applying again with them for next summer.

I arrived in Toronto, Ontario, in May 2016, two days after graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in integrative physiology. Upon my arrival, I was given my open work permit that I had acquired through the program. My initial plan was to spend time in the Muskoka area at my friend's cottage on Lake Muskoka, where I expected to work a seasonal job at a golf course as a chef. Although the opportunity existed, I was not entirely attached to the job- I was thinking bigger.

Canada's healthcare system is one that intrigues me. Two things struck me negatively: Wait times to see physicians and specialists was much too long, sometimes scheduling months out; Patients of rural areas in Ontario had limited access, or no access to healthcare. With this in mind, I was curious to know if I could impact patient's and healthcare professional's outcome in the Canadian healthcare system.

Within one month of my arrival, I was hired on a one year contract by Ontario Telemedicine Network, where I have taken on the role of implementing Telemedicine into physician's and specialist's practice, as well as developing effective Telemedicine programs to enable physicians and specialists to provide healthcare to rural patients in Ontario. I have developed cardiology, dermatology, mental health, and wound care programs that have provided patients with healthcare in days, not months.

As I near the end of my contract at Ontario Telemedicine Network, and plan to apply for another open work permit through this program, I recognize that I have gained valuable experience and have made a lasting impact in Ontario's healthcare system. My next big idea as I experience Canada- medical device and emergency education sales, to impact the way ordinary people can save lives.

Oh yeah, and I got a puppy...

So, think... How might you want to experience Canada? ... and think big. Everyone is capable.

Teaching English in France was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. InterExchange was also very helpful throughout the entirety of my duration-from start to finish. I was placed with an excellent host family and lessons were prepared in a conversation setting. My host family prepared a wide array of French food and introduced me to French music and customs and I am forever grateful for their kindness and hospitality. I highly recommend this experience if you are interested in fully immersing yourself in the French culture!

I taught in a rural northern town in Thailand. I taught 1st and 2nd grade. The experience was definitely challenging but so rewarding. I learned so much about Thai culture and have grown as an individual.
The Thai people are the nicest people I have ever met. They helped me countless times and have showed me what true kindness looks like. The English level is very low in Thailand but the people always tried to understand what I was trying to communicate to them. They were so patient and coming from the United States, a place where survival of the fittest is the main mind set, it was so refreshing and showed me how I should treat others.

My year in Nürnberg, Germany was absolutely wonderful. I loved my host family, the city is fantastic, I greatly improved my German, and I got to travel all over Europe. Once my year was finished, I decided to stay in Nürnberg and continue my studies. I still spend time with my old host family on a regular basis, which I am happy to do. I've built an amazing life for myself here. Though I do miss home from time to time, I wouldn't change anything.

Living a year in the Netherlands as an au pair was life changing. Dutch life is so fun and relaxed, and the au pair communities within cities are so much fun. The Netherlands is an ideal place to experience Europe from as well. Because of the location, I was able to visit over thirteen other European countries, like Germany, France, and the UK. Plus, the Netherlands itself is pretty incredible- it's bikes and tulip fields and canals are pretty unforgettable. And the major cities always have something fun to do. My Dutch host family was kind, and their children were lovely as well. If you'd like, you can read more about my personal experiences on my blog-- jessicajwolfe.blogspot.com (all the posts from 2015 are about my year there).