New Generations
Service Exchange

What is New Generations Service Exchange?

New Generations Service Exchange (NGSE) is a program for young adults to gain work experience in an overseas Country. The program is open to post-secondary students or young professionals between the ages of 19 and 30. The participants could shadow or work in a voluntary capacity to gain work experience in their vocational area. The ideal candidate has an outgoing personality and is in the final year of their academic program or recently graduated and working in their chosen career field. A willingness to further develop their skills and share knowledge about their homeland.

It is a short-term program, varying from 6 to 12 weeks duration and operates between Rotary Districts. Often the exchange will take place over the summer months, but efforts are made to facilitate the period to suit the applicant.

What Can I Expect from the Exchange?

Opportunity awaits participants of the NGSE program; enhancement of skills and aspiration in their chosen career, personal development, gaining cultural understanding, and making life- long friendships are all part of the opportunity the program provides. If you choose to pursue an exchange in a non-English speaking country, you should have a working knowledge of the language and can look forward to becoming more fluent in the language while on exchange.

What Role Does Rotary Play?

The NGSE Coordinator contacts the candidate’s preferred countries to ask if an exchange can be accommodated. Initially, only the candidate’s basic information is provided: name, age, and the career in which they wish to experience. If the partner country is interested, our District Coordinator provides the applicant’s full application, and credentials.

The host country then tries to find suitable employment and suitable hosted accommodation. The accommodation is usually a no cost homestay with a Rotary family who provides a safe and secure environment and board.

Will the Exchange Lead to Travel?

Often participants extend their adventure by including some travel either before or after the work experience. The host club is expected to introduce the participant to the community and may offer some small side trips in the region, but this is not mandatory.

What is the Cost?

Candidates are responsible for all costs related to their travel including the necessary passport and visitors visa, air fare and travel insurance which is mandatory. The work experience is on a voluntary basis and the candidate travels on a tourist visa and cannot accept or pursue paid employment while on the exchange.

How Do I Apply?

If you are interested in taking part in NGSE, contact your local Rotary club and ask if they would consider sponsorship. If you don’t know if there is a Rotary club in your community, click here and we will help you connect you. The club then will assist you in the application process and forward your application to the NGSE Coordinator who will then work with you to find a suitable exchange situation. After you return from your exchange, the sponsor club will encourage you to attend a meeting and provide a short presentation or report on your experience.

Looking Ahead

Once you have completed your exchange and you are putting your experience to work, we encourage you to consider membership in Rotaract or Rotary and perhaps at some point you will host another young person looking to gain the same type of career development.