Resources
Student Exchange Programs
Have you always dreamed of travelling overseas and experiencing new things? Through a Student Exchange Program, you could have the opportunity to study and live in another country.
What is Student Exchange?
As the name suggests, Student Exchange gives you the opportunity to travel to another country and attend school there – and in return, a student from the country you’re visiting will live and study in Australia.
You’ll attend school and learn just like the other students, and experience life with a host family. You can study overseas from as little as four weeks all the way up to an entire year.
Where can I go?
There are lots of countries you can choose from – you’ll need to check with your school or private provider. The most popular destination countries for Australian and New Zealand students include USA, UK, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Spain and Argentina.
Am I eligible?
If you’d like to participate in a Student Exchange program, you generally need to be between the ages of 15-18 (in Year 9-12), and an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Some schools and States might have additional specific eligibility criteria, including minimum academic requirements, so make sure to check first.
You’ll also need to be prepared to travel away from your friends and family, feel comfortable in an unfamiliar place, and potentially meet language requirements (depending on where you’d like to travel).
How can I organise a placement?
You’ll need to speak to your school or find a registered provider in order to organise your exchange.
If you’re organising exchange through a private provider, make sure they are registered to provide programs in your State or Territory – this means the provider is safe and reliable, meaning you can travel with less stress.
You should start organising your placement as soon as possible, as you’ll generally need to apply quite early and there may be caps on how many students can go on exchange each year.
Where can I find out more?
Find out more about Student Exchange in your State or Territory:
National Science Week 2022
This year, National Science Week will take place from Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 August.
All around Australia there will be a huge variety of live online events, virtual tours, competitions and fun activities to participate in and grow your STEM knowledge.
Take a look at what’s on and find a whole bunch of resources here:
https://www.scienceweek.net.au/
Three ways you’ll use your history skills at work
Ever wondered what the point is in learning all about the things that have been and gone? History has a lot to teach us about where we come from and where we might go in the future, and you’ll need the skills you gain from studying history throughout your life.
The study of history helps us understand what has happened, and teaches us the skills to critically reflect on the evidence to reach a decision about what took place.
Read more here:
https://whywestudy.com/three-ways-youll-use-your-history-skills-at-work/
Thinking of taking a language in year 11 and 12?
Learning a language has many benefits. It improves your thinking abilities and enhances your understanding of the world. Knowing another language can give you a leg up in university applications too.
If you’re thinking of studying a language in Years 11 and 12, read this article by the Conversation to find out what you need to know:
4 tips to help get smart about money
What is financial literacy?
By the time you leave high school and often before, it’s important to learn how to manage your money and make decisions that make financial sense for your situation.
If you can budget, manage your money, and make wise decisions about your spending and saving habits, then you’re well on your way to being financially literate.
Having these skills are a huge advantage all through life and could help to prevent you falling into masses of debt.
How to improve your financial skills
1. Set up a bank account
Even if you don’t have much money coming in, it’s a great idea to have your own bank account and debit card so that you’re ready when you do start earning.
You’ll also have somewhere safe to put pocket money and monetary gifts that you might receive, instead of risking it dropping out of your pocket at school, going through the washing machine, or tempting you to buy something you don’t really need.
2. Find a job
Once you start earning your own money, you’ll appreciate its value much more. It might encourage you to make better decisions about what you buy when you know how long it took you to earn it.
3. Do a budgeting challenge
If you haven’t seen Teenage Boss, it’s a show where teens in a household are allowed to take over the family budget for a month.
Perhaps you could do something similar at home?
Speak to your parents and work out:
- Your household monthly income
- Household monthly outgoings (that’s all the bills from food and electricity, to rates and school shoes)
- Decide on a target figure that you’d like to save
- Work on how you can implement changes to reach your target
You could write meal plans and cook in bulk, find free activities to do in your spare time, or recycle all your cans and bottles for extra cash.
4. Start saving
You could just start saving today – it’s simple. Figure out how much money you already have or how much you get every week and commit to setting aside a percentage of that.
Make sure your money isn’t too easy to get to, otherwise you could be more tempted to dip into it.
When you set up your bank account, talk to the bank about a savings plan as well. They can give you lots of ideas about the best way to save for you, including where your savings will get the most interest.
The money you put away could help you buy a car, go towards uni, or pay for your gap year.
More money tips
You can find heaps more useful resources and tips on money in the Money Matters section of our website.