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Finding an Exchange Program

by admin last modified October 31, 2006 17:28

Looking for an experience that will help you reach personal goals, challenge your ideas about the world, ignite your independence or offer unique opportunities to teach, assist, or research with others from different cultures in your field? Then an international exchange experience may be right for you.

Some exchange opportunities are best determined by the country of destination due to the language spoken or your choice of accessibility; others by the type of program such as volunteering or researching or studying abroad; and others by the length of time of the program due to funding or your availability; whereas other choices may depend on a combination of two or more of these attributes. The following considerations may assist you in deciding what type of exchange program best fits your needs:

CHOOSING A COUNTRY

   

Map of the World       

 
  • Climate

  • Culture

  • Disability Access

  • Language

  • Types of Programs           

  • To determine a country, you need to decide if you want....?
  • A place where the local people speak the same language as you do or a place where they speak a different language
  • A place where the culture/food is similar to yours or to one which is different from yours
  • A place where disability access is good and attitudes are progressive or a place where the experience of being there is more preferential than your independence or use of adaptive equipment
  • A country where programs that interest you are established (i.e. art programs of Italy, language programs of Mexico, the eco-tourism in New Zealand, AIDS/HIV prevention in Africa, etc.) or one where you are developing your own program
  • A country where the climate is similar to where you currently live or one that is different and one where you are willing or medically able to adjust to a different climate

CHOOSING A PROGRAM TYPE

Exchange Participant on the Beach

  • Cultural/Language
  • Educational
  • Volunteer
  • Work Experience
  • Professional Development 

 

Exchange Participant Taking Notes 

Cultural/Language

IF you want to:

  • Learn about another country's culture and/or history
  • Learn another language or perfect your skills in
        another language (inluding sign language)
  • Live with a family in another country

THEN select the keyword  "language program," or "homestay," or "culture" and use our website to find exchange programs listed in our database. 

Search Exchange Programs

Educational

IF you want to:
  • Study at a high school, college or university in another country or partake in a language program

THEN select the keyword "high school" or "college" or "graduate school" or "study abroad" and use our website to find exchange programs listed in our database. 

Search Exchange Programs

Volunteer

If you want to:

  • Teach
  • Work with the children, seniors, people with disabilities 
  • Contribute your efforts to ecological and environmental causes
  • Assist with social and community issues

THEN select the keyword "volunteer." You can also select more specialized keywords such as "advocacy," "environmental," "community development," "human rights," etc. and use our website to find exchange programs listed in our database.


Search Exchange Programs

Work Experience or Professional Development

IF you want to:

  • Gain work experience at a business or non-profit organization in another country
  • Attend a conference or seminar held in another country
  • Conduct research, teach, or train others

THEN select keywords such as "internship," "employment," "teach abroad," "professional development," "conference" or "business."

Search Exchange Programs

CHOOSING A PROGRAM BASED ON LENGTH OF TIME

   Colorful Mayan Calendar         
  • Weeks?

  • Months?

  • Years?

 

If you want to be abroad for:

  • One week - THEN consider an international conference or consulting opportunity
  • Two - four weeks - THEN consider a cultural, language or volunteer program
  • Three months or less - THEN consider a cultural, internship, or summer study abroad program
  • Six months - two years - THEN consider an academic, internship, professional development or volunteer program

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