Our Purpose
Australian International Exchange (AIX) seeks to offer a one-of-a-kind immersive cultural experience to students across Melbourne and Bordeaux.
We facilitate the pairing of year 10 and 11 students in Bordeaux and Melbourne to offer an enriching immersive experience to learn about French/ Australian culture and to develop their French/ English language skills. Our goal is to coordinate the most rigorous vetting process to ensure students are compatibly and suitably matched with their AIX counterpart and host families.
We understand experiencing a new country, new people and unfamiliar situations can be incredibly daunting, especially in the absence of our usual support systems. Our team is acutely aware of these challenges and we are here for our participants every step of the way.
International learning and knowledge propels students towards acceptance and understanding of an array of different cultural and community perspectives.
Timing
The AIX Team is taking a select group of Year 10 and 11 students to Bordeaux, France in May 2023 and in November- December 2023 for a minimum of 30 days.
Applications will be open from 15 September 2022 and will close 1 April 2023. Participant students will find out the identity of their AIX counterpart by 30 April 2023.
In accordance with the reciprocal nature of our program, Australian host families will receive their AIX counterpart in June 2023 or June 2024.
The Lead Up - Networking
In the lead up to the trip, the Melbourne cohort of Australian students will be invited to participate in a series of networking sessions where students will have the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other. This is also a useful opportunity to start practising French, and for participants to learn more about what to expect from the program. It is also a wonderful opportunity for our AIX team to get to know our participants!
The AIX Experience
Culture
La Culture
Experiencing a foreign country propels students towards acceptance and understanding of a vastly different cultural perspective.
Bordeaux is a culturally rich environment, renowned for its history, architecture, wine and delicious cuisine.
Embracing a new and vibrant culture is a chance to step out of the student’s comfort zone and experience unfamiliar situations whilst being supported by a nurturing AIX support team.
Connection
Le Lien
Each student partaking in AIX's program has a unique opportunity to form relationships with their AIX counterpart and family, but also form a unique bond with other students partaking in the program.
Meeting new people provides an invaluable opportunity to develop new perspectives.
This program is certainly a personal development experience which will empower year 10 and 11 students to embrace challenges with confidence.
Language
La Langue
The best way to learn a new language is through a comprehensive and total immersion. Be prepared for your French language skills to improve in leaps and bounds!
A tremendous sense of accomplishment when mastering a new language encourages students to develop independent opinions, make informed decisions and strive to attain fresh goals.
What is the cost of the program?
Please make an obligation-free consultation here with a member of our team to access our pricing options.
When is our next intake?
We are taking a select group of Year 10 and 11 students to Bordeaux, France in May and also November- December for at least 30 days.
Applications will be open from 15 September 2022 and will close 1 April 2023. There are a few limited spots left, so if you are interested, please get in touch with us.
How are students paired with each other?
AIX's pairing process is a comprehensive, rigorous and multi-step exercise led by our in-house counsellor and HR consultant. The process involves a questionnaire, followed by a virtual and in-home interview. Safety and securing a good match is of utmost importance to us therefore we will do everything we can to match each student with a similar and like-minded AIX counterpart. Learn more about our pairing process here.
AIX respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pays respect to ongoing living cultures of First Peoples.
