The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) is a six-week program that offers youth ages 16-17 the opportunity to gain paid work experience, practise their second official language skills, and discover another community within Canada.
Join our next summer exchange program from June 27 to August 8, 2026! Applications are now open! Submit your application today.
Do you want to work and travel ?
Check out International Experiences Canada
A Canadian government website to help you navigate the complexities involved in working overseas.
A high school student exchange isn’t just a trip, it’s a gateway to endless opportunities, fantastic new friends and broader horizons.
STUDENT TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Work Student Exchange Program – http://www.summer-work.com/ Benefit from a paid six-week summer employment aimed at students (aged 16 or 17) wanting to improve their French language skills. Apply on-line.
AFS Interculture Canada – http://www.afscanada.org Offers year long, semestered, and summer exchange programs for 15 – 18 year old students to spend one school year (or less), living with a host family in one of 55 countries. Financial aid is available.
Student Travel Schools – STS – http://www.sts-education.com Do you want to go on a cultural exchange and attend school in Europe, Brazil or South Africa? You can study abroad for a five or ten week term.
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs – www.asse.com Spend a school year abroad in grade 9, 10, 11 or 12 and become fully immersed in another culture. Semester programs and summer programs are also available. See website for details regarding countries and length of programs.
Canada World Youth – www.canadaworldyouth.org This opportunity is for students who would be interested in spending time exploring Canada and another country for 6 – 7 months, learning skills such as leadership, teamwork and communication. Students ages 17 – 24 are eligible.
Challenge International – www.yci.org Join an international team of volunteers and travel to Africa, Costa Rica, Guyana or the South Pacific regions. Work with local people on effective community-based projects and gain valuable skills. Participants must be 18 – 30 years of age. 5 – 10 week placements. 5 weeks – $2,900 plus airfare. Apply on-line. Continual sign up.
Au Pair Opportunities – www.greataupair.com Unique opportunity at low cost to have a cultural experience and acquire a second language. Must be 18 – 26 years of age and have some child care experience. Must have learned French 2 – 3 years minimum. Suggest you do a language program once/day.
Working Vacation – www.swap.ca Work available in 12 different countries, some of which include France, Britain, New Zealand, Germany, U.S., Ireland, and South Africa. Fees start at approximately $400 and you must prove you have support funds. Applicants must be 18 years of age. Must use Travel Cuts Student Travel Company for flights.
A GAP Year Abroad – www.gapyearabroad.ca Travel Cuts Student Travel Company offers volunteer opportunities abroad for students. Approximately $400 registration fee, plus airfare, plus participatory fees.
Exchanges Canada Website – www.exchanges.gc.ca This website contains a variety of exchange opportunities in cooperation with number of non-governmental organizations. Many of these opportunities are for university graduates.
Other Websites
www.projects-abroad.org
www.cooljobscanada.com