Scouts International Student Exchange Program (SISEP)

       

*** Expressions of Interest 2012 - 2013 are now open for the Scouts Australia International Venturer Exchange Program! Click here for more information and to apply! ***

An international Venturer exchange is the experience of a lifetime! The Scouts International Student Exchange Program (SISEP) provides Venturer Scouts (15-17 years of age) with the opportunity to experience a different way of life... by spending their summer holidays with a Scouting family in Denmark, England or Japan! SISEP also allows Aussie Scouting families to host Danish, English or Japanese students for 6-8 weeks in winter.

Here's your chance to find out what a SISEP Exchange is like! David Giles, a Venturer from South Australia, has just been on exchange in Denmark - read his blog HERE!

       

International Exchange

As an international exchange student with SISEP, you will spend six to eight weeks in Denmark, England or Japan, living with a Scouting family with a host brother or sister Scout, attending school in the local community and participating in the host family’s Scout Group. Being linked to the Scout Association in your host country gives you the unequalled opportunity to take part in challenging and diverse activities that only Scouts can offer!

Past exchange Venturers to England have found themselves climbing waterfalls in mid-winter, attending an Investiture Ceremony on Mt Snowdon in Wales or near No 10 Downing Street, power boating on Portsmouth Harbour, or travelling through the Channel Tunnel to France, Belgium or Holland.

In Japan they have visited historic shrines, experienced the beauty of Mt Fuji, visited Tokyo Disneyland and ridden in a bullet train. Exchange Venturers to Denmark have attended a challenging four-day International Camp [SCOPE], gone skiing in Norway, skated on frozen rivers and lakes, visited ancient towns and cities, and tried traditional Danish food.

Every SISEP experience will be different, but no matter what happens you’ll have a Christmas and New Year that you’ll never forget!

       

As a non-profit exchange program, SISEP is just about the best value for money you will find. Payment includes airfare, insurance and a contingent fee. Costing can vary from state to state and country to country (as will airfares from year to year), but as a guide, costing for those on exchange in 2011-2012 was between $2150 and $3395. Those travelling to England and Denmark also enjoy several days at the end of their exchange as a Group in London; however there is a separate accommodation cost for this. Exchange students leave Australia around the end of November and return mid January.

Australian Host Families

Applications to participate as a host family are invited from families who have a son or daughter in Scouts or Venturer Scouts. Overseas visitors require host families for around six weeks in July and August (depending on their country’s school holidays), as well as a willing school and an active and friendly Venturer Scout Unit.

Host families do not receive any subsidies except the pleasure of welcoming someone into their home and having an international experience "in their own backyard".

It is preferred that applications to be a host family are submitted by mid-February each year. Click here for a detailed information package on being a Host Family, or click here for a Host Family application form.

It is beneficial for a Venturer planning to go on exchange to be part of a host family first.

Contacts

National Coordinator

State Coordinators:

Note: If your State or Territory does not currently have a Coordinator, please direct all enquiries to the National Coordinator.

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