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About
Us
International
Exchange Programs (IEP) is a non-profit organisation specialising
in sending young Australians and New Zealanders on working
holidays overseas, currently to Canada, Britain, Ireland,
the USA, South Africa, Cambodia, Peru and Costa Rica. IEP
also assists young travellers from overseas on reciprocal
programs in Australia and New Zealand. With offices in Melbourne
and Sydney and representatives in most other states, IEP
is the largest non-profit, work and travel organisation
in Australia.
In 1995 IEP was established
as a subsidiary of BUNAC
(British Universities North America Club) in Australia and
later in New
Zealand. BUNAC was formed in 1962 by students on British
university campuses with a vision to enable young people
to participate in a range of educational exchange programs,
primarily focused towards North America.
Today IEP and BUNAC are part
of a global network of organisations that continuously seek
out more opportunities for young people to work and travel
all over the globe. As these opportunities grow so will
the programs that IEP will be able to offer.
Interested in working at IEP?
Click here for
current opportunities.
Contact Details
National (Australia-wide)
T: 1300 300 912 (for the cost of a local call)
E: info@iep.org.au
Melbourne Office |
Sydney Office |
PO Box 13278
Law Courts Post Office
Melbourne VIC 8010
Level 3, 362 La Trobe Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
T: (03) 9329 3866
F: (03) 9329 1592 |
Locked Bag 5065
Sydney South NSW 1235
Level 18, 233 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
T: (02) 9299 0444
F: (02) 9299 0399 |
International
Free info sessions
IEP holds regular information sessions around
Australia. Click here for locations
and times.
Our staff
Melbourne
Staff
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Sydney Staff
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Staff Profile

Name: Naomi Joyce
Title: Marketing & PR
Co-ordinator
Countries Visited: England
and Channel Islands, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Spain,
France, Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, Japan, Thailand.
Where have you lived overseas and
for how long? London - 8 months on and off; Woodstock,
Oxfordshire-3 months, Worthing South England, few months
on and off, Edinburgh 1 month, Guernsey Channel Islands-5
months.
Favourite places you've visited?
Ireland for the culture, Berlin for the history and Greece
for the partying.
Worst place you've visited? Ancona
in Italy - just a ferry port and we stayed a night-very
dodgy guys hanging around in the street and I got sick
from the kebab I ate.
Most memorable travel experience?
Crazy times living and working in the hostel
in London-meeting AMAZING people from all over the world
and never knowing which night is going to end up HUGE.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned from living
and working overseas? Give people the benefit of the doubt - don’t
judge a person simply by something they have done in their
past - push your comfort zones, trust your gut and appreciate
every single second - that is how you make the most of life.
Staff Profile
Name: Linda Janes
Title: Customer Service
Co-ordinator
Countries Visited: USA,
New Caledonia, Canada, Fiji.
Where have you lived overseas and
for how long? I was in USA for 3 months. The
first 2 months on Summer Camp USA and then backpacking
for 1 month in California.
Favourite places you've visited?
New York City was amazing, it’s very busy and the shopping
is great. The Islands of New Caledonia were also very
beautiful and relaxing.
Most memorable travel experience?
Summer Camp USA was the best by far I met so many people
and friends that I will keep for life. All my experiences
there were amazing, different and can't be spoken for
unless experienced.
What was the most valuable lesson
you learned from living and working overseas?
Be careful and don't trust just anyone!
Everyone can cope on their own when travelling - so don’t
be afraid!
Staff Profile

Name: Kate Kenna
Title: Summmer Camp USA Co-ordinator
Countries Visited:
2005 - Costa Rica, USA (California), 2006 - USA (California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nevada, New York),
2007 - USA (California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Nevada).
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
I have lived in San Ramon, Costa Rica for 2 weeks with a mum and her three kids, while working for Habitat for Humanity. In 2006 I went to Eagle River WI, where I lived with three co-counsellors and eight 12 year old girls. I returned to camp in 2007 and shared with one other counsellor.
Favourite places you've visited?
Manuel Antonio Beach, Rio Pacqure River, Salva Bannito Eco lodge in Costa Rica
Disneyland and Disneyworld, Yosemite National Park in USA.
Most memorable travel experience?
Seeing the families faces when most of their new house has been build in 10 days.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned from living and working overseas?
Nothing is so bad it can't be bought! Packing light is harder than it seems - sometimes you need the kitchen sink!
Staff Profile

Name: Kristine Kilby
Title: Operations Manager
Countries Visited: Been to every State
and Territory in Australia, United Kingdom, United States
of America and Canada.
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
USA – Colorado 3 times ranging from 6 weeks to 6
months. Canada for 3 months.
Favourite places you’ve visited?
The Rocky Mountains in the USA and Canada – I love
the snow.
Worst place you’ve visited?
Everything bad still has a bit of good. However, staying
in a hostel that resembles a very scary scene from the
X Files does not need to be repeated.
Most memorable travel experience?
Driving 22 hours straight from Denver to Portland,
Oregon for a U2 Concert. Then driving another 22 hours
back.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
from living and working overseas? Make
the most of every opportunity – if your bus breaks
down for 4 hours in the Mojave Desert on the way to Las
Vegas it is a great opportunity to meet people.
Only pack what you can carry – heavy
bags are not much fun when you have to lug them thought
he snow or when you don’t have any money left to
get an airport trolley.
Staff Profile

Name: Nicole Chadderton
Title: Program Assistant
Countries Visited: Australia (Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold coast, Sydney and Tasmania), New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand
Where have you lived overseas and for how long:
NZ 20 years, Australia 2 months
Favourite places you visited: Phuket in Thailand – a small piece of paradise , and South Island NZ
Worst place you visited: None to record so far!
Most memorable travel experience: Riding the elephants in Thailand, tramping in the Australian Outback, and camping in the South Island.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
from living and working overseas: Being open about every adventure you go on, and always expect the unexpected!
Staff Profile

Name: Peter Doran
Title: Program Assistant
Countries Visited: Scotland, England,
Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Holland,
Switzerland, Slovenia, Singapore, Indonesia, Fiji, New
Zealand
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
Scotland for 2 and a half years, Ireland for 1 year, England
for 6 months
Favourite places you've visited? Cape
Tribulation (Far North Queensland) Venice, Scottish Highlands,
Lake Bled in Slovenia
Worst place you’ve visited?
Alicante and Benedorm, London (or parts of)
Most memorable travel experience? Being
knee deep in a river of tomatoes at Tomato Fest in Spain.
Or being chased by bulls in the Bull Run at Pampalona
What was the most valuable lesson
you learned from living and working overseas?
Always be open to new experiences and cultures.
Staff Profile

Name: Melissa Chapman
Title: Program Manager
Countries Visited: China, USA, Morocco,
Egypt, England, Ireland, Wales, France, Switzerland, Italy,
Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Spain, Austria,
Monaco, Netherlands.
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
London, UK for 2 years.
Favourite places you've visited? Dahab,
Belfast, Marrakech, Paris, and Venice.
Worst place you've visited? The truck
stop on the motorway heading into Leicestershire, UK.
Our van broke down on the way back to Cambridge from a
road trip in Ireland and we spent 2 nights living in the
van in the truck stop with 2 scary Turkish truck drivers
as our neighbours...
Most memorable travel experience? I’ve
had so many amazing experiences on my travels; it is hard
to pick just one! Scuba diving in the Red Sea at Dahab;
being at the Pyramids at Giza; having a beer with the
locals in Northern Ireland; snowboarding in the French
Alps; camping out overnight and then queuing for 6 hours
to get tickets to Wimbledon; drinking mint tea overlooking
the main square in Marrakech... I could go on forever!!!
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
from living and working overseas? Be open to
new experiences and never be afraid to try something new!
It has taught me not to take anything I have for granted,
to always be open minded, and to learn from and accept
differences in people and cultures. You will have good
days and bad days on your travels so always stay positive
and make the most of every day!
Staff Profile

Name: Jenita Spirtovic
Title: Marketing & Relations Coordinator
Countries Visited: USA, Mexico, France,
Germany, Austria, The Balkans, and still exploring more
of Oz
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
Los Angeles – 1 year, Berlin – 3 years, Sarajevo
– 8 years
Favourite places you've visited? In the
US: Chicago and Vegas. In Europe: the Adriatic Islands.
In Oz: Byron Bay!
Most memorable travel experience? En
route California to Nevada through gusty winds driving
a Ford Festiva – bless her heart, we made it to
Vegas on 30km/h. Perfect time for that game of “Dodge
the 18-Wheeler” and “Who Panics, Wins”
(often played simultaneously).
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
from living and working overseas? You’re
not who you think you are. It either gets better or much
worse.
Staff Profile

Name: Jaina Jina
Title: Program Coordinator
Countries Visited: New Zealand, India,
USA and around Australia.
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
I have lived in NZ for 11 years and LA for 3 months on
Work USA.
Favourite places you've visited?
Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Hollywood, and San Francisco!
Most memorable travel experience?
Where to start? Working at Universal Studios, sitting
at the very edge of the Grand Canyon, watching the Academy
Awards from the hostel I was staying at (got to see all
the celebrities!!) Also meeting and talking to Seth Green
at the live taping of Mad TV.
What was the most valuable
lesson you learned from living and working overseas?The
best way to live is to go out there and see the world.
Don’t be scared to travel – there is always
someone who can help you.!
Staff Profile

Name: Amanda Baker
Title: Accountant
Countries Visited: Austria, Belgium,
England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy,
Kenya, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania.
Favourite Places: Interlaken/Grindelwald
- Switzerland. The view of the surrounding snowy mountains
was breathtaking. Had an awesome time at “Balmers
– Youth Hostel - Interlaken” too.
Worst Place: Don’t really have
a ‘worst place’ travelled. I have had to endure
some challenging camping conditions, while on safari throughout
Africa, but it’s all just part of the experience
– the locals have to do it a lot tougher than me.
Most Memorable Travel Experience: Taking
a very informal tour, organised by the locals, through
an African Massai village. Being able to experience how
the African natives live and as well get to know the locals
was awesome – Native Africans are truly inspiring,
resilient and overall, just remarkable people.
Most valuable lesson: Don’t treat
your travelling experience as just another thing to tick
off your list of accomplishments – get right into
the adventure and really live it. Talk to the locals as
much as possible and try to experience as much as you
possibly can. Do this and you will look back on your travelling
adventures as some of the best times in your life.
Staff Profile

Name: Shannon Kimber
Title: Marketing & Web Coordinator
Countries Visited: New Zealand, Australia,
England, Scotland, Wales, USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan,
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, France, Germany, Spain,
Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands,
Belgium, Norway, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg.
Lived Overseas: New Zealand for 20 years,
Colorado, USA for 4 months.
Favourite places you've visited?: I loved
living as a local in Colorado as I really felt like part
of the community there. Places like Mexico and Japan were
great simply because they were so different, and the European
countries were awesome because of their history.
Worst place visited?: There have been
situations that seemed bad at the time – the hostels
in Japan that operated until the principle of ‘communal
bathing’, being stuck in a stinking hot airport
hotel in KL and being too exhausted to get out and about
– but there are no ‘bad’ places and
definitely not one ‘worst’!
Most Memorable Travel Experience: Attending
a Japanese high school, visiting the Grand Canyon, and
being in New York City very soon after September 11th
– surreal.
Most valuable lesson: You will encounter
challenges while travelling – everyone does –
but you will look back at your travels and only remember
the good times – the hard ones will pale into insignificance.
So make the most of your time overseas – see the
sights, get to know the locals, eat the food, and do as
much as you possibly can! You will be proud of yourself
in the future
Staff Profile

Name: Amanda Hough
Title: Employment Co-ordinator
Countries Visited: USA, Mexico, Indonesia,
New Caledonia and Vanuatu - Southern Melanesia.
Where have you lived overseas and
for how long? PA, USA, 2 months at Summer Camp
as a Lifeguard and a Swimming Instructor.
Favourite places you've visited? A Hogan
(Navajo traditional house) in Monument Valley, the astonishing
natural wonders of Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, and
the cheap, and contrasting, rich sites and scenes of Las
Vegas. & in Oz: Scotts Head, Fraser Island, Great
Keppel Island, and Byron Bay - my getaway spots
Worst place visited? Fortunately
I’ve enjoyed my travel destinations so far.
Most memorable travel experience?
Making it to the top of “Angels Landing” in
Zion National Park, Utah, USA. What an effort that was.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
from living and working overseas?
Experience - do something you wouldn’t usually,
take a step out of your comfort zone, take time to observe
all things around you, and learning occurs right under
your nose, and opens your eyes.
Staff Profile

Name: Jarrod Scott
Title: Marketing Manager
Countries Visited: Canada, USA, UK, The
Netherlands, Belguim, Germany, Denmark, China, Vietnam,
Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and
South Africa.
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
Toronto, Canada, 8 months, Leiden, The Netherlands 4 months,
Cape Town, South Africa 6 weeks.
Favourite places you've visited? In no
particular order: Beijing, Hong Kong, a waterfall in the
middle of Laos, Leiden, Yangshou, Xian, Amsterdam, Antwerp,
Luang Prabang, Siem Riep, Buenos Aires and Cape Town.
Worst place visited? A few dark, dirty
and industrial areas of China won’t be visited again,
but generally all places have something unique to hold
onto. Except Mengla.
Most memorable travel experience? Going
from Beijing to Bangkok overland and then back again was
an achievement. Walking onto a stadium in China with an
Australian university soccer team full of 20,000 locals
was a buzz. Hiring a motorbike in SE Asia always ensured
memorable days.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
from living and working overseas?
Open mind, open heart generally is a good place
to start. It’s a good thing to challenge yourself
and step outside the comfort zone.
Staff Profile

Name: Brad Holland
Title:General Manager
Countries Visited: US, South Africa,
New Zealand, Spain, France, Fiji, Greece, Portugal, Turkey,
Morocco, Gibraltar, Japan, Ireland, Singapore, UK, Canada,
Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Italy, Sweden.
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
US (on & off for 8 years), UK ( 2 yrs ), A cruise
ship in the Mediterranean (3 months), South Africa (3
months).
Favourite places you've visited?
Arches National Park, Moab Utah; the fjords of Norway.
Most memorable travel experience? There’s
so many! Celebrating Halloween in Las Vegas while dressed
up as Elvis ; hiking on NZ’s Franz Josef Glacier
at dawn; working with underprivileged kids in South Africa;
roasting marshmallows around a campfire with good friends
in the northwoods of Wisconsin while watching both the
Northern Lights and a meteor shower overhead.
What was the most valuable lesson
you learned from living and working overseas?
The old saying goes that ‘travel
broadens the mind’, but travel does more than that,
it enriches your spirit.
Staff Profile

Name: Skye Worthy
Title:ACT State Rep.
Countries Visited: Indonesia, Singapore,
Malaysia, England, Scotland, France, USA, South Africa
(x2)
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
New York State USA (5 months), South Africa (3 months)
Favourite places you've visited?
Cape Town, South Africa- a vibrant, colourful city with
beautiful weather, beaches and a great African vibe! (in
particular- the gaol where Nelson Mandela was released
from prison, Table Mountain, the wine region of Stellenbosch)
Most memorable travel experience?Favourite
places you've visited?
Too many!! Climbing Mt Bromo (an active volcano in Java)
to watch the sunrise and then carefully walking around
the crater top where at its widest point the rim would
have been a meter wide. Skydiving over the north shore
of Oahu, Hawaii
Living in a 4 bedroom house with 40 people from 9 different
countries (every sentence was a was a mixture of English,
Spanish, Korean and Portugese!)
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
from living and working overseas?
Get out and try new and crazy things- the
TV will be waiting for you when you get home! Often the
best experiences come from random events that you never
thought possible when planning your trip at home.
Staff Profile

Name: Renee Chomel
Title: SA State Rep
Countries Visited: New Zealand, USA
Where have you lived overseas and for how long? New Zealand (approx. 5 years), USA (3 x 3 months)
Favourite places you've visited? San
Francisco, California, USA Most memorable travel
experience? Going on a roadtrip across the Western
side of USA with 5 other internationals after the Summer
Camp USA program we went from Dallas to Colorado and through
the Rocky Mountains and Denver, across Utah saw the Grand
Canyon and then Las Vegas and onto Los Angeles California
all in a 7 passenger van and only paying for petrol, all
in 1 week! Amazing the things you can see on a shoe-string
budget!
What was the most valuable lesson you learned
from living and working overseas?
Just acceptance of others cultures and the way
that we all have a part to play in the world around us.
I also found out parts of my personality that I didn't
know were there before.
Staff Profile

Name: Kristy Papas
Title: Program Coordinator
Countries visited:
USA, UK, Greece, The Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Where have you lived overseas and for how long? 3 US summers in Maine at Camp Samoset and 15 months in London, UK.
Favourite places you have visited?
Venice, the Ancient sites of Athens, Santorini, Paris, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Boston.
Worst places you have visited?
Luckily for me, my travels haven’t taken me to any dodgy or horrible places. Besides, you can usually find the charm in most places when you are travelling.
Most memorable travel experiences?
There have been so many and this list could be endless, but just to name a few- riding a donkey up a cliff in Santorini, going punting in Oxford, 3 very memorable summers at Camp Samoset, doing a Contiki tour through some of Europe, flying into Las Vegas at night, taking a gondola ride in Venice, roadtripping from San Francisco to Dallas including staying in a motel in a town called Battle Mountain.)
What was the most valuable lesson
you learned from living and working overseas?
To have no expectations and that going outside of your comfort zone can be surprising and rewarding.
Staff Profile
Name: Sarah
Roberts
Title: Promotions Co-ordinator
Countries Visited: USA, Fiji, Italy and
Malta.
Lived Overseas:
Connecticut- USA
Favourite Places: Venice, NY, Grand Canyon,
Malta.
Most Memorable Travel Experience: Being
on a Greyhound bus with two English friends for 32 hours
from NY to Florida. It was the longest 32 hours of my
life and there were some characters on that bus trip.
Also going to the top of the Empire State building and
seeing so much of NYC, it was amazing.
Most valuable lesson: Make the most of
your time abroad, be open to meeting different people
and when opportunities to do and see new and exciting
things arise…go for it!
Staff Profile

Name: Kelly Edwards
Title: State Coordinator.
Countries Visited: USA, Canada, Mexico,
Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, UK, France, Italy, Germany,
Netherlands
Lived Overseas: USA – the summer
months at Camp Nicolet since 1999 Canada – First
semester at University of Saskatchewan, 1999.
Favourite Places: Franklin Lake, New
York, Paris, and Perth
Most Memorable Travel Experience: Too
many! My experiences at camp, New York on the first 9-11
anniversary seeing Billy Joel perform “New York
State of Mind” in Central Park, Grand Canyon helicopter
ride, skiing in Canada – ohhh the memories!
Most valuable lesson: Never be afraid
to try something new, it opens up a world of opportunities!
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