blog

Intern Offered Research Role at NASA

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:20:02 +1000

We are pleased to announce that Seamus Thomson has been offered an additional year of work at NASA after recently completing a NASA 10 week Internship.

The University of Sydney PhD Biomedical Engineering student, who participated in the Internship USA program through Student Placement Australia New Zealand will get to put his skills to good use as he searches for evidence of extraterrestrial life in the solar system.

Seamus, his supervisors and NASA, were interviewed recently by the Sydney Morning Herald about why he was offered this exciting opportunity and what he intends to do with it. Check out the article here: https://goo.gl/dHUPtK

2016 Photo Competition Winners Announced

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:31:42 +1000

We are thrilled to announce the winners of our Photo Competition for 2015. The competition was open to participants from the Student Placement programs whicj include the Work and Travel USA program, Live and Learn program, the Go Campus program and the Au Pair program. We thank all of the participants who entered, the calibre of photo's and captions were fantastic and we will be highlighting them on social media.

Our Top 3 Winners are as follows:

1st Prize - Maddison

"To be able to live and work in the US has been an amazing experience! After a winter in Aspen and a summer in Hawaii I was able to see and experience so much more than I could have imagined. This program gives you so much flexibility, the ability to travel between seasons was amazing and meant I could see so much more of the USA!

2nd Prize - Thomas

"My internship allowed me to gain a first-hand glimpse of US culture from the heart of American government. During my time in Washington, I made so many fantastic friends and learned valuable professional skills that have since helped me to find a job working in the field of my choice."

3rd Prize Winner - Zoe

Travelling from forty degrees celcius to two feet of snow, my internship in America was unforgettable. There were so many opportunities to understand culture on all levels, from Supreme Court sessions to constituent phone calls and tours. The connections I made with Americans (and other Australians) will be invaluable.

6 Reasons Why Venturing Overseas Will Make You Smarter

Mon, 16 May 2016 10:46:28 +1000

We see a huge change in young adults and professionals who have travelled abroad on a work or study program; these can be in areas of expanded cultural awareness, a greater sense of perspective on the world, improved language skills, or higher levels of confidence and self-esteem.

Researchers have discovered that living abroad for any significant duration of time also makes people smarter.

Work The World have published a great study highlighting 6 reasons why travelling overseas will make you smarter. These include:

Awaken creativity
Improve Communication
Increase earning potential
Improve cognitive skills
Increase productivity
Boost self-awareness

Work The World comment that "When we’re physically removed from our comfort zone we find that new possibilities and outcomes seem to appear miraculously. This is because our brain enters a state of ‘relaxed attention’, enabling it to make cognitive leaps it would otherwise struggle with.

But awakening latent creative talent is just one part of the story".

To find out more, read the info graphic created by Work the World below or click here to read the full article.

Internship Opportunities Available in Deer Valley Resort - Utah

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 13:17:26 +1000

Are you interested in an Internship starting this November at the Deer Valley Resort in Utah?

6 month opportunities in the following Programs:

Hospitality and Lodging
Restaurant Management
Culinary and Baking and Pastry

Culinary can be 6 months with Deer Valley and there are opportunities for 6 months with Roche Harbor Resort in Washington State on the San Juan Island. Also, new this year are possible extensions with Glenwild Golf Club in Park City, Utah.

All Internships are paid with wages ranging from $10.50 an hour to $12.00 per hour depending on experience. We give a bonus at the completion of the season of $1.00 an hour for every hour worked and $1.50 an hour for every overtime hour worked.

Dorm style housing is available with 2-3 roommates, which is located in Park City and are on a free bus line. The housing is within 2 miles of the resort. There is a deposit of $350.00 of which $300.00 will be returned at the end of the season if the room is cleaned and in acceptable shape upon departure. The cost is $12-$14 a day depending on the number of roommates and is a payroll deduction.

All uniforms are provided, and a uniform department will provide clean uniforms for the staff daily. As a Culinary or Baking and Pastry Intern we recommend bringing your own knives and tools.

You will be provided with a 4 phase rotation for each program and the resort has had students in these programs for the last four years. You will have an Intern Welcome where you will meet other Interns from around the United States and around the world and at the completion of the program there will be an Intern Farewell Meeting were the Deer Valley Resort President and General Manager presents each participant a certificate of completion.

There will be a mid-season party and an end of season party with food, drinks, prizes and a DJ for music and dancing as well as monthly prize drawings for all staff.

Perks and Benefits; Free skiing and snowboarding at local resorts, 5 coupons to give to friends and family for skiing,discounted restaurant coupons at all of our Deer Valley Restaurants, Lodging discounts, ski rental discounts and many other discounts with an employee ID.

If you are interested in applying for any of the above roles, please send your Resume to:

Melissa Bristow email: mbristow@studentexchange.org.au

2015 Photo Competition Winners Announced

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 10:43:13 +1100

We are delighted to announce the winners of our Photo Competition for 2015. The competition was open to participants from the Student Placement programs which include the Work and Travel USA program, Live and Learn program, the Go Campus program and the Au Pair program. We thank you all participants who entered, the calibre of photo's and captions were fantastic and we will be highlighting them on social media.

The Top 3 are as follows:

1st Prize - Caleb

“My journey to New York was one of uncertainty and excitement. Adventure no the less! From working in surf shops, bars, photo shoots with Victoria Secret models to starring in the iPhone 5s commercial myself it was a whirlwind adventure and i’ve made some lifelong friends from it all.” Caleb

2nd Prize - Marten

"Work & Travel in the USA has been an incredible and life-changing experience. I had the incredible privilege of working alongside and make lasting friendships with an incredible group in a breathtakingly beautiful part of the world. If you have the chance to go, all I’d say is: do it!" Marty

3rd Prize - Felicia

"My internship at the US Congress in Washington DC helped me grow both personally and professionally. Representing Australia internationally, gave me a strong sense of leadership and confidence. The experience has shown me that if we strip away the fences we construct in our minds we can unltless possibilities."

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner - June

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:53:49 +1000

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that Tristan Ceccato has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for June.

Tristan wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where he can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.

Tristan's winning entry was "New York City - The city is an absolute melting pot of culture, entertainment, variety and opportunity. I would love to immerse myself into it all."

Congratulations Tristan!

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner - May

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:08:32 +1000

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that Eva Davoli has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for May!

Eva wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where she can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.

Eva's winning entry was "I left my heart in Nashville and beautiful NOLA. It's been an unbearably grim life without a honkytonk-badonkadonk, or boogie by the Bayou since."

Congratulations Eva!

We still have 1 more place to give away on our 12 month Work and Travel USA program. Click here to enter now.

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner - April

Fri, 01 May 2015 13:56:08 +1000

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that William Fordyce has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for April!

William wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where he can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.

William's winning entry was "Texas - I want to wear cowboy boots to work everyday and say "howdy y'all" when I get there."

Congratulations William!

We still have 2 more places to give away on our 12 month Work and Travel USA program. Click here to enter now.

VSSEC-NASA AUSTRALIAN SPACE PRIZE

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 14:23:32 +1100

Have you dreamed of working on a current NASA project?

The VSSEC-NASA Australian Space Prize offers an Australian university student the opportunity to attend one of three 10 week NASA Academy programs, or participate in a NASA affiliated summer program, and work with a lead scientist or engineer on a current NASA project.

VSSEC-NASA AUSTRALIAN SPACE PRIZE

The Academy programs at Ames Research Centre, Goddard Flight Center and Marshall Space Flight Center, are intensive select entry programs that provide recent graduates with access to advanced science and engineering R&D, and an awareness of the complex managerial, political, financial, social, and human issues faced by the current and future aerospace programs. Through the awarding of this prize, an Australian university student will participate in a ten week academy program and work directly with scientists and engineers on a current NASA project related to their thesis topic

The VSSEC-NASA Australian Space Prize is open to all Australian undergraduate students completing their final or honors year at an Australian University in 2014.

The competition will be judged based on the students final year thesis or honors thesis and a completed application form. If the students thesis is not on a space related topic, an additional paper will be required detailing the space application of the thesis. Category winners will then be required to submit a separate application to NASA who will select the final winner.

The competition is divided into five categories:

ENGINEERING - Structural design, orbital dynamics, materials, power systems, rocketry, robotics, etc.*This category incorporates the EA Undergraduate Prize in Space Engineering.
GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY GEOLOGY - Geology and planetary science, astrobiology, etc.
BIOLOGY AND HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY - Human physiology, astrobiology, microbiology, etc.
DATA PROCESSING AND ELECTRONICS - Data processing systems, data management, electronics, control systems, instrument and sensor design and applications using space-derived data.
SPACE PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS - Space physics, astronomy, astrophysics, theoretical physics, mathematical modelling, space weather, atmospheric science, etc.

The overall winner will attend one of the NASA Academy programs at Ames Research Center, Goddard Flight Center or Marshall Flight Center, or participate in a NASA affiliated summer program in mid 2015.

The other category winners will each receive a $1000 cash prize.

The winner of the VSSEC-NASA Australian Space Prize will be required to work with VSSEC and its education partners to develop an education package based on their research and their experience at the NASA Academy.

For more information or to apply please go to: http://www.vnasp.com.au/

Click here to download the 2014 VSSEC-NASA Australian Space Prize Flyer

Internship USA opens its door

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 16:32:56 +1100

Student Placement is pleased to announce a limited increase in our allocation of Internship USA visas. This means we can now accept applications for the program again!

Internship USA is a unique program for full time students and recent graduates to work in the USA, in a job related to your field of studies, for up to 12 months.

It is an opportunity to put your studies into practice, enhance your skills and learn about American business culture. Then at the end of your program, you can travel in the US for up to 30 days.

So if you have been thinking about interning in the USA, this is an opportunity for you. Act now.

Call us to discuss on 1300 135 331 (Aust) or 0800 440 079 (NZ).

Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 11:49:30 +1100

Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme

Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme (UCWIP) has happily been the subject of several dozen statements in the Congressional Record by Members of Congress or Senators across the years. There have been two floor speeches in the Australian Federal Parliament (one in each chamber). But today marked a first with a floor speech in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, honoring UCWIP 2014's Matt Cowdrey.

Matt Cowdrey is one of our current interns in the USA with the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme which places Aussie uni students with congressional leaders. Matt will be known to many of you as Australia's most successful Paralympian ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xYebwyXoX8&feature=youtu.be

Click here to listen to the speech.

Quality Assurance

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 11:46:26 +1000

ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification

Student Placement Australia New Zealand Pty Ltd has recently been certified to ISO 9001 (Quality Management System). A consumer centric quality management system is essential for identifying and managing the expectations of our students and participants.

The certificate is available to download from here.

ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) is an internationally recognised quality management standard which provides assurance that Student Placement Australia New Zealand has the type of management systems in place to deliver a quality experience to all our participants. It guarantees an ability to consistently meet customer, statutory and regulatory requirements, and addresses customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system. While our individual employees are inherently motivated to act in your interests at all times, it's good to know the organisation as a whole has the quality systems to support their endeavors at all times.

Certification to ISO 9001assures you that Student Placement Australia New Zealand:

Maintains stringent policies, systems and procedures for the delivery of our programs;
Has documented continual improvement systems in place;
Obtains regular feedback from our clients and use that information to improve our programs;
Demonstrates a strong commitment to customer service.

The Best Practice ISO 9001 certification symbol and the JAS-ANZ logo can only be used by organisations that have been externally audited and found to meet the required standards.

National Director, Nick Lorentzen said:

“This is something we have been working toward for some time and reflects our commitment to the quality of the programs we provide. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our staff and volunteers over many years. We have always had a strong culture of continuous improvement and a sharp focus on customer service. This certification represents independent verification that our Quality Management System meets stringent, internationally recognised standards.”

Jobs Now Available

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:10:54 +1000

Looking for an Experience of a Lifetime?

Ski Instructor positions available in Lake Tahoe, California

Northstar California and Vail Resorts are looking for passionate individuals on a 12 month J1 visa interested in becoming a Ski Instructor for the 2013-2014 Winter.

Any kind of ski experience is all that is required to apply.

Northstar California is part of Vail Resorts, a world-class collection of mountain resorts operating worldwide. Known as a winter sport enthusiast's paradise, Northstar Resort offers 92 ski trails spread across 3,000 acres, award-winning terrain parks and snow sports including alpine and Telemark skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing.

These positions will commence from early winter and are flexible (depending on when you are available to arrive), to mid or late April. After that, your options are endless! You can get referrals for spring and summer season positions or you can return home or travel, it’s up you!

Vail Resorts have expressed a keen interest to hire students who can stay through the whole season, as they love Aussies and Kiwis.

For more information please download the flyer or click here to submit your details or contact us on info@workandtravelusa.com.au or info@workandtravel.co.nz for further information.

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner for November!

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:48:31 +1100

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that Kan Huang has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for November!

Kan wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where she can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.

Kan's winning entry was "Philadelphia - the land of the Independence to immerse myself in the history and culture of where American culture and mindset all came about!"

Congratulations Kan!

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner for October!

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:05:38 +1100

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that Nathaniel Goodall has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for October !

Nathaniel wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where she can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.

Nathaniel's winning entry was "Nashville, TN. A true taste of unique Southern culture like nowhere else! Honkey-Tonking and Boot-Scooting in the Country Music capital of the world!"

Congratulations Nathaniel!

If you’re a full time uni, TAFE or poly student and are a citizen of New Zealand or Australia why not jump across to the Work & Travel USA website and enter the draw for your chance to win the opportunity of a lifetime - working and living anywhere in the US for up to 12 months.

Enter now for your chance to win the opportunity of a lifetime!

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner for September!

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 13:49:15 +1000

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that Stephanie Scheirlinck has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for September!

Stephanie wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where she can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.

Stephanie's winning entry was "Philadelphia, just so I could run up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art like Rocky did!"

Congratulations Stephanie!

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner for August!

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:04:07 +1000

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that Caitlin Dunton has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for August!

Caitlin wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where she can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.
Caitlin's winning entry was "I would definitely travel to the smaller cities in the US and discover the TRUE America and not just the one portrayed in the media."

Congratulations Caitlin!

Internship/Trainee USA - Applications Closed for 2012

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:42:27 +1000

Internship USA applications have now closed for 2012.

From 1st September, we will start accepting applications for 2013.

Please note that places are limited.

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner for July!

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:13:19 +1000

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that Tayla Wagner has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for July!

Tayla wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where she can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.

Tayla's winning entry was "Texas, because it has always appealed to me, the smallness of some towns and intimacy and bonds they create would be such a great experience."

Congratulations Tayla!

Work and Travel USA Comp Winner for June!

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:48:59 +1000

Student Placement Australia New Zealand is pleased to announce that Verity Walkinshaw has won the Work & Travel USA Free Prize Draw for June!

Verity wins a free place on the 12 month Work & Travel USA program where Verity can work in practically any job anywhere in the USA for up to 12 months.

Verity's winning entry was "In the Yosemite National Park, California, being an outdoor rock climbing guide; I'd get to see the natural America PLUS the legendary climbing sites! Freeeedom!"

Congratulations Verity!