Exchange2Change is an exchange programme from our partners at the Goethe Institut in London for young people in Germany and the UK. It provides funding for young people aged 14-17 based with youth centres and alternative places of learning to develop joint projects and get work experience in Germany and young people from Germany will be hosted in the UK. No German language knowledge is required.
Participants work together, first virtually and then in person on visits to Germany and the UK, on a collaborative art project (e.g. music, dance, photography, poetry, visual arts). Through project-specific workshops the participants gain insight into artistic fields of work, so that the exchange also serves as work experience.
Who can apply?
Young people aged between 14 and 17 at the time of the exchange (Autumn 2022). You should be prepared to fully immerse yourself in a group project and to create links with a youth centre / alternative place of learning. You should also have an interest in the arts. Please only apply if you have no previous knowledge of German and are eligible for free school meals.
You will require a reference from your Youth Centre or alternative place of learning saying why you should take part in Exchange2Change.
Details of the project are on the Goethe Intitute’s website and you will need to complete the application form online here and state which areas of the arts you are interested in and what your motivation is for being involved.
The areas covered are music, dance, theatre, photography and film, lyric and literature, dance and movement, visual arts, digital media or other form of creative expression.
Benefits of being involved
- You will be able to gain first work experience in the arts world and in digital media creation.
- You will meet young people from a different country and will be able to start a new collaborative project with them. You will make friends for life.
- You can let your creativity run wild and will gain a first taste of German language and culture. Selected participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a free German course at the Goethe-Institut.
- If your application is successful, the Goethe-Institut London, with the kind support of the Friends of the Goethe-Institut London will pay for all the travel costs of the exchange.
How will Exchange2Change work?
Preparation phase (3 months)
- 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 (each 10-14 days planned for Autumn 2022)
- 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, you will visit you exchange partners in Germany for 10 days. 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, an extensive leisure programme to help you get to know the country and people better.
- Then, it will be your exchange partner’s turn to visit you in Great Britain.
- You will also document the experience via video.
Follow-up (3 Months)
- 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.