New Traralgon company offers cultrual exchange opportunitiesOpportunities for 17 - 30 Year olds as Nannys, AuPairs and Hospitality workers overseas By John VanderWerff - 26th February 2003 - Back to News
JCR Aust/NZ Intercultural Exchange Programs Pty Ltd ; whose Australian head office is in Melbourne, has now opened in Traralgon to assist young people in Central, East, West and South Gippsland find rewarding and enjoyable childcare placements in, among others, the USA, UK, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Spain, Switzerland, Korea, New Zealand, Guadeloupe in the French Leeward Islands and even Interstate within Australia.
JCR in association with EurAupair Intercultural Child Care Programs within the Asia Pacific Region, one of the World leaders in international placements of Nanny’s and Au pairs in the USA; a U.S. not-for-profit, public benefit organization, founded to improve understanding among people of different countries through cultural exchange. Through its network of affiliated overseas offices, EurAupair accepts young people who want to become aupairs from many countries world wide.
JCR Australia & New Zealand, operates from Melbourne and throughout Australia and New Zealand and has successfully placed young men and women with families in many different countries.
After researching this region thoroughly it was decided to open an agency in Traralgon as the central contact location for young people throughout the Gippsland area. JCR have appointed Heather and John VanderWerff as their local agents in Gippsland.
"We felt it was important that we make our young clients feel they are dealing with people that understand the excitement, difficulties and concerns that they, and their parents, feel when they decide to experience life and work in another culture. We want our young clients to know that we have their best interests at heart and that every placement we arrange is with a family in the Country or State of their choice, and that the family they are going to help have been fully screened to ensure they are in the best and safest environment possible."
JCR Australia (Gippsland) also place young people into the Hospitality industry overseas (UK). These positions are great for those, who have some bar and hospitality work experience, and want to add overseas work experience to their portfolio. All placements are in 3–4 and 5 star hotels and include allowances for accommodation and board as part of the package.
JCR (Gippsland) are also looking to open the Gippsland region to overseas youth (18—30 age groups) as a reciprocal venture, by locating Companies, Businesses, Hotels, Resorts, Farms and Families that have a need for short term workers as Nannies, Au pairs, Hospitality Workers, Farm Hands (milking, hay bailing, fruit picking) and the like.
"All we ask is that they provide a minimum wage, liveable accommodation and board for young people from overseas for a period of 3 months. These young people are all prepared to learn and experience Australian culture in an environment usually very different to the one they grew up in. Just like our youth have been doing for many years".
Any one interested in taking part in a JCR Australia Intercultural Exchange Program or the JCR Euraupair Program can contact Heather or John on (03) 5176 5599 or 0401 309 731 or by Email to youthos@bigpond.net.au to discuss their future and receive a pre-registration form. You can also view our website at www.jcraus.com.au
The following testimonials are emails and letters from young people currently or recently on placement overseas. They are representative of the feedback we receive regularly from our young participants and are all un-solicited and unaltered in any way.
Testimonials
From S.C. – Melbourne in the UK
JCR is an exceptional agency as it takes extra steps to look after the girls wellbeings. The ensurance from both the English and Australian groups have been fantastic, and I have no queries about recommending anyone to your organisations.
From N.V – Queensland in the UK
I am really enjoying my time here in London. Aisling and David are wonderful people to work for and the baby is so good.I have done a lot of traveling since I arrived. Twice to Ireland with them and twice to Spain with them.
Have also been to Wales 3 times, France twice and a 2 week trip to The Italian Lakes and Austria all on my own.Have also done lots of one day trips in England to places like Brighton, Stone Henge, Bath, Cambridge, Cotwolds, and so on.
We are going to Spain again next week for 8 days so am looking forward to that.Them I am going for 3 days to Manchester. I am coming home for xmas for 4 weeks then back here for another year.
From M.R. – Melbourne in Holland
I've been in Holland for nearly 2 weeks and I am having a great time. I'm so happy that I made the decision to come here. Thank you for your advice.
The Selles family are very nice people, especially Nicole (the mother) and the kids are great. I work Monday, Thursday and Friday and my work involves taking Edwin to school, cleaning the house and cooking dinner. I made friends with a Czech au pair in Utrecht and we went out on the weekend. I've spoken to Christelle (JCR Holland) and she is very friendly and helpful.
From K.T. – Melbourne in USA
Just writing to let you know that I received your email.
And once again, I can't even begin to express how thankful I am to you for the help you have been to me. It is wonderful to know that there is people out there, keeping hope in peoples lives. You really have made a difference to mine, and I am ever grateful.
From A.B. – Perth in USA
I don't regret that I came here, I actually feel lucky that I got to see the twin towers. Anyone that is thinking of being an aupair in America should do it. I've met so many nice American families.
My host family is so great, they include me in everything and i feel really comfortable here, like i do at home. I take care of a baby who is 14 and a half months now, I have watched her grow up and i am really attached to her, it will be hard to leave.
During my time here i have been to LA, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Florida three times, Disney world, Orlando and Vancouver Canada. These trips have been parts of my weeks off, trips with my host family, and trips with aupairs that i have met.
There are so many place to see and it is a great opportunity to meet people from other countries. I have also had some fun times in New York city, there are lots of shops, Broadway shows, museums, people! aupairs are still coming to America and it is still the same cool country, with everything you dream about.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my year here.
From M.F. – Mildura in the UK I would like to thank - you so very very much for all that you have done for me to match me up with such a lovely family in norwich. The ponds have already made me feel like part of their family. Thanks heaps once again, and i will keep in touch.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: youthos@bigpond.net.au
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