The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program is currently accepting applications for students and host families for this years program in PEI. SWSE is a national exchange program offering 16- and 17-year-old youth the opportunity to improve their second official language skills while gaining valuable work experience. For 6 weeks in the summer, participants are matched with a youth in another province, and are hosted in each other’s homes. They work full-time in the non-profit sector during the week, and participate in organized activities in their new community during the weekends. Student participation fee is $75.
Alternate hosts are always needed for circumstances that prevent the students family from hosting. Due to the reciprocal nature of the program, some youth who would like to go on exchange are unable to do so because their family cannot host in return (because of health, work schedule, language, and other reasons). In these instances, YMCA staff work hard to find other hosts to welcome a student for the six week period. These alternate exchange hosts play a key role in the exchange by providing a safe and healthy living environment for our participants, sharing their life experience and knowledge of their community.
For more information or to apply to participate in the exchange or be a host family, please visit: www.summer-work.com or contact Megan Burnside at (902) 314-1570.
Megan Burnside
Atlantic Support Coordinator
YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange Program
Telephone: (902) 314-1570