About us
Your summer. A different country. A career that travels.
The International Staff Exchange is built for backpackers, gap year students, and anyone who wants to see the world while building real hospitality experience — not just a holiday, but a proper job, a home away from home, and a story worth telling.
What we do
We make working abroad simple.
The International Staff Exchange is a placement programme that connects young hospitality professionals from the UK and Canada with world-class venues on the other side of the Atlantic.
We handle the matching, the introductions, and the support — so you can focus on the adventure. You arrive with a job already lined up, a room waiting for you, and a team expecting you.
Whether you're fresh out of college, taking a gap year, or simply ready for a change of scenery, we'll find you a placement that fits your skills and your goals.
The offer
Everything you need to go.
A real job
Full-time employed work at a vetted hospitality venue — not volunteer work, not unpaid experience. You earn a wage from day one.
A place to live
Live-in accommodation provided by your host venue. No hunting for a flat in an unfamiliar city, no expensive short-term rentals.
Two meals a day
Your host provides two meals a day throughout your placement, keeping your day-to-day costs low so you can save — or explore.
A new country to explore
Three months in the UK or Canada, with weekends and days off to travel, meet people, and experience a completely different culture.
Support throughout
A dedicated coordinator stays in touch from application to departure and throughout your placement. You're never on your own.
Something for your CV
International work experience is one of the most valuable things you can add to your career story. We make sure it's properly documented.
Who it's for
Made for adventurers.
You don't need to have your whole career mapped out. You just need a sense of adventure, a bit of hospitality experience, and a passport. The programme is open to UK and Canadian nationals aged 19–30.
Gap year travellers
Make your gap year count. Work, earn, explore — and come home with experience that actually opens doors.
Backpackers
Fund your travels with a proper job. Live somewhere new, save money, and keep moving when the season ends.
Hospitality professionals
Already working in hospitality and want to take it international? This is the structured, supported way to do it.
Career changers
Thinking about a move into hospitality? A summer placement is the best possible way to find out if it's for you.
Summer 2027
The inaugural season.
Summer 2027 is our first season — 1st July to 1st October. Placements are limited, and applications are open now. If you've been thinking about it, this is the time to go for it.
Apply now