About Us

International Exchange Programs (IEP) is a non profit organisation and Australia’s leading provider of work and travel opportunities. We specialise in sending young Australians and New Zealanders on working holidays overseas and assist young travellers from overseas on reciprocal programs inSydney Office Australia. 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.

To contact the IEP Work Australia team, click here.

Program Coordinator	Customer Relations Coordinator	Program Coordinator	Employment Coordinator	Customer Relations Coordinator

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!

 

Name: Linda Janes
Title: Program Coordinator
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!

 

Name: Peter Doran
Title: Program Coordinator
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.

 

Name: Luke Dore
Title: Program Assistant
Countries Visited: USA, Mexico, UK, Ireland and Thailand
Where have you lived overseas and for how long: Vail, Colorado USA- 5 months, London UK- 5 months
Favourite places you visited: Grand Canyon (and I thought Ayers Rock was big!), Puerto Escondido (the 'Mexican Pipeline') and road tripping through Southern Ireland
Most memorable travel experience: Comparing Hasselhoff impersonations with friends along the California coast
What was the most valuable lesson you learned from living and working overseas: Everything you may have heard before or seen in photos goes out the window when you are in a new environment. There is no substitute for experiencing the real thing.

Name: Lisa Alexander
Title: Employment Coordinator
Countries Visited: Vietnam, Thailand, United States, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Turkey, England, Scotland, Ireland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Netherlands, Croatia, Switzerland, Austria.
Where have you lived overseas and for how long?
Dublin, Ireland for 12 months and Venice, Italy for 2 months working in a pizzeria!
Favourite places you’ve visited? New York, Las Vegas, Cappadocia in Turkey and Munich- got to love those beer halls!
Worst place you’ve visited?
Nowhere, thankfully all my travel experiences have been major drama free!
Most memorable travel experience?Snorkelling off Koh Phi Phi in Thailand in the most beautiful clear water and suddenly finding myself surrounded by ‘Nemo’ clownfish, visiting a primary school in rural North Vietnam to teach children English, meeting people from all over the world over a stein of yummy German beer in the beer halls of Munich and also seeing things like the Colosseum and the Statue of Liberty for the first time is an amazing feeling Ill never forget!
What was the most valuable lesson you learned from living and working overseas? Throw away any fears or inhibitions you may have at home and live for the moment! You will never regret it!