Work and Travel through International Experience
This article could CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Did you know as a young Canadian you can work in 32 countries as part of the International Experience Program?
We met with Government of Canada officials to understand the details of the International Experience Program. It is truly an INCREDIBLE opportunity that could change your life forever. At Experience Your Life, we are truly proud to be a Canadian organization. It is incredible to see that Government of Canada spends this kind of time and resources to make it easier for citizens to travel and work abroad. The program also enables youth from other countries to work in Canada. Having travelled to over 70 countries in the world, we can say from real experience that these opportunities are truly rare in the world.
International Experience Canada (IEC) provides young Canadians (18 to 35) the opportunity to travel and work abroad. IEC is available in countries that have a bilateral youth mobility arrangement with Canada. Depending on where you would like to go, you can choose from up to three travel and work experiences:
- Working Holiday: Fund your vacation with temporary work. The work portion of your trip lets you earn money, so that you can fund your travels during your stay. It is a great way to afford side trips, other excursions and accommodations while you are abroad.
- Young Professionals: Gain professional work experience abroad to better compete in a global economy. Widen your career horizons by working on teams from diverse cultural backgrounds, learn new approaches to doing business, experience a different country and learn another language
- International Co-op Internship: Acquire valuable overseas work experience related to your field of study. The International Co-op Internship is for students who intend to complete a work placement or internship abroad to fulfil part of their academic curriculum.
You can find an overview of the program at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/residents/iec/ and details at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/opinion/experience/bilat.asp
Also for young citizens from any of the countries below, there are bilateral agreements that will enable you to work and travel in Canada. Please visit the CIC website for details.
Below is a summary for Canadian youths:
| Country | Working Holiday | Young Professionals | International Co-op (Internship) |
| Australia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Austria | No | Yes | Yes |
| Belgium | Yes | No | No |
| Chile | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Costa Rica | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Croatia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Czech Republic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Denmark | Yes | No | No |
| Estonia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| France | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Germany | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Greece | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hong Kong | Yes | No | No |
| Ireland | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Italy | Yes | No | No |
| Japan | Yes | No | No |
| Korea, Rep. | Yes | No | No |
| Latvia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lithuania | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mexico | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Netherlands | Yes | Yes | No |
| New Zealand | Yes | No | No |
| Norway | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Poland | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Slovakia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Slovenia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spain | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sweden | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Switzerland | No | Yes | Yes |
| Taiwan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ukraine | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No | No |
Lighthouse Expo (previously called Experience Your Life Expo) 