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Exchange2Change

A Creative Youth Exchange Programme between the UK and Germany

Eine Jugendliche nimmt als Teil einer Gruppe an einem Kreativ-Workshop teil © Goethe-Institut

“Exchange2Change” is an exchange programme for young people, aged between 14 and 17 during the exchange phase, who live in the UK and Germany. As part of a group, exchangers collaboratively develop a creative project, partly virtual and partly during stays in Berlin and London. Successful applicants will be invited to stay in selected accommodations (usually hotels) during the exchange. The costs of the exchange are fully covered in full by the Friends of the Goethe-Institut United Kingdom and the educational initiative GIMAGINE. Through workshops on project-related topics, the participants gain an insight into artistic professional fields, so that the exchange can also serve as a professional internship.

 

Who is eligible to apply?

We welcome applications from young people who are between 14 and 17 years old at the time of the exchange. You should be prepared to get involved in a group process and, if necessary, establish contact with a youth centre/an alternative learning facility. You should also have an interest in artistic creation. English language skills are not required for the application, but you will need a letter of recommendation from a teacher or community organiser. So, please start your application process early to not miss out!

Timeline for the exchange

“Exchange2Change” is an exchange programme for young people (aged 14-17) in the UK and Germany. The participants develop a joint art project (e.g. music, dance, photography, poetry, visual arts), initially virtually and later during physical visits to the UK and Germany. This is how the exchange works...

Preparation phase (July 2024)

During the preparation phase, you will get to know the other participants virtually. You will decide which kind of project you would like to work on together and what kind of preparation will be necessary. So that you can understand each other better, you will take part in short language workshops together.

Exchange in Berlin and London (15.-25. September 2024)

After the preparation phase, there will be time for you to get to know each other in person. Together with a group of young people from the UK and Germany, you will visit London and Berlin. You will work together on your project and take part in workshops which will teach you new skills and give you inspiration for your project. There will also be further language workshops and, of course, a leisure programme to help you get to know the country and people better. You will also document the experience via video and present your project to schools.

Follow-up (October 2024)

When you return home, you can decide how you would like to present the results of the project in your home country. Together you will reflect on what you have learnt, and if you like, you can even keep going with your project. Upon completion of Exchange2Change, the Goethe-Institut will provide each of the participants with a work experience certificate.

FAQs

In our FAQs, we relay some additional information about the following details.

  • The participants are not expected to accommodate/host their exchange partners
  • The participants will be staying in chosen hotels, and will be accompanied throughout
  • The students will plan, organize and conduct an art project together and will be visiting different schools in Germany and the UK to show/perform it

  • The accompanying staff (staff from the Goethe-Institut and certified Youth workers) is fully DBS checked
  • Risk assessment and safeguarding policy will be shared with the applicants in due course

If the application is successful, the Goethe-Institut – with friendly support of the Friends of the Goethe-Institut London – will cover all costs, that includes costs for travel, accommodation, expenses (food and drinks), the accompanying cultural programme and language sessions for the time of the exchange. A contribution towards travel costs to London (from the UK) will be provided. The costs for applying for a passport and for personal expenses (souvenirs, etc.) must be covered by the participants.

  • If the applicant is associated with a youth centre, we encourage the corresponding youth worker to provide a letter of reference to support the application
  • We also accept letters of reference from (language) teachers, youth group leaders, mentors or similar
  • We do not accept letters of reference from family members or friends

You will not be able to go to school during the days of the exchange. If you application for Exchange2Change is successful, we expect you to speak to your teacher/headteacher about the possibility of being released from school during the exchange. 
We will offer our support with liaising with schools and headteachers, should being released from school during this period pose any challenges.

Questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us!

Advertising materials for partners and schools

We would be delighted if you could publish the following calls for applications in your institution.

Logo: GIMAGINE project

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