For participants
Your career. A new country. An unforgettable year.
The International Staff Exchange places ambitious hospitality professionals aged 19–30 in world-class venues across the UK and Canada for the summer season — guaranteed full-time employment with live-in accommodation and meals provided.
What you get
Everything you need to hit the ground running
Guaranteed full-time employment
We match you with a vetted host venue and guarantee a full-time employed position for the full summer season — 1st July to 1st October 2027.
Live-in accommodation
Your host venue provides live-in accommodation for the duration of your placement — no hunting for housing in an unfamiliar city.
Two meals a day
Your host provides two meals per day throughout your placement, so your day-to-day costs are kept to a minimum.
Placement coordination
We handle the matching process, introductions, and pre-departure briefing. You'll know exactly where you're going and who you'll be working for before you travel.
Ongoing support
We stay in touch throughout your placement. If anything comes up, your coordinator is just a message away.
Certificate of completion
A formal record of your international placement to add to your CV and LinkedIn profile.
Who can apply
Are you eligible?
The programme is open to UK and Canadian nationals aged 19–30 with at least six months of professional hospitality experience. You'll need a valid passport and must arrange your own Working Holiday visa, flights, and travel insurance. The programme fee is £1,450 (UK applicants) or CA$2,500 (Canadian applicants).
- Aged 19–30 at the time of travel
- UK or Canadian national
- Minimum 6 months hospitality experience
- Valid passport
- Able to arrange your own Working Holiday visa
- Available 1st July – 1st October 2027
- Responsible for your own flights and travel insurance
Where you could go
From the Rockies to the Cotswolds
Placements are available across both countries — from buzzing city venues to remote wilderness lodges. Every host venue is personally vetted by our team.
United Kingdom
London
Michelin-starred restaurants, rooftop bars, and five-star hotels in one of the world's great hospitality cities.
The Cotswolds
Country house hotels and gastropubs in England's most picturesque countryside.
Edinburgh
Historic city centre venues, whisky bars, and a thriving food scene in Scotland's capital.
Lake District
Boutique hotels and outdoor hospitality venues in one of England's most beloved national parks.
Canada
Banff & the Rockies
Mountain lodges, ski resort hotels, and wilderness dining experiences in Alberta's iconic national parks.
Vancouver
Award-winning restaurants, rooftop bars, and luxury hotels in one of Canada's most vibrant cities.
Toronto
A world-class dining scene, boutique hotels, and a diverse hospitality industry in Canada's largest city.
Whistler
Year-round resort hospitality in one of North America's premier ski and outdoor destinations.
Participant stories
Hear from people who've done it
I spent nine months as a front-of-house manager at a lodge in Banff. It completely changed how I think about hospitality — and about what I want from my career.
Sophie T.
Front of House Manager
Banff, Alberta
The team sorted everything — visa, accommodation, even a pre-departure call with my future manager. I just had to show up. Best decision I've ever made.
James R.
Bar Supervisor
Vancouver, BC
Working at a country house hotel in the Cotswolds was like stepping into another world. I came back to Toronto with skills and confidence I couldn't have built anywhere else.
Chloe M.
Events Coordinator
Cotswolds, England
Ready to take the leap?
Applications are open now for Summer 2027 — 1st July to 1st October. It takes around 20 minutes to apply.
Start your application