The WYSE Travel Confederation Cultural Exchange Panel gets together every few weeks to catch up on what’s going on in the sector.
Below is a look at some of the recent topics that have arisen during Q2 2024. If you would like to contribute to any of these topics, our Membership team would be delighted to hear from you.
Visa and programme participation in Bulgaria
Rumyana Sotirova, Exchange Programmes Manager at USIT Colours Bulgaria, reported on her recent meeting with the former Consul General of Bulgaria, who is moving to a new role. They talked about the ongoing exchange programmes in Bulgaria, with no significant policy changes expected. Instead, the embassy is actively working to increase programme participation.
Additionally, she acknowledged concerns among current summer work and travel participants, relating to issues around housing and safety in the US. The US Department of State also continues to evaluate the work and travel programme and they are awaiting the results of these evaluations to assess potential impacts on future programme operations.
Programme expansion and adaptation
Natalia de Isidoro Martin, Regional Director at Alliance Abroad Spain has reported success with their outbound programmes to the US, including work and travel and teacher assistant programmes. The organisation is now expanding its focus to inbound programmes, with a particular emphasis on the hospitality sector and there has since been enthusiastic participation from Latin American partners.
Efforts are underway to secure more placements, particularly in prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants, further enhancing programme satisfaction and expansion.
Patricia Brunner, Managing Director at IAPA highlighted various challenges affecting au pair programmes globally, and she also noted ongoing visa issues for au pairs in Germany. Despite these challenges, IAPA continues to monitor developments in au pair programmes worldwide, including anticipated changes in the US programme.
Discussions are underway regarding potential expansions of au pair roles to include elderly care, although no immediate changes are expected. Read this article on Au Pairs for Senior Care.
Key takeaways
Overall, the cultural exchange sector is experiencing a mix of positive developments and challenges. Visa regulations, programme participant safety, and the evolving needs of host countries continue to shape the industry landscape.
Proactive monitoring of government policies and industry trends will be crucial for programme providers to adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment.
Natalia de Isidoro Martin
Regional Director
Alliance Abroad Spain – Yowork
Patricia Brunner
Managing Director
IAPA The International
Au Pair Association
Casey Slamin
Vice President of Programs
InterExchange