Make new friends across the world; Experience a different culture and way of doing things; Learn lots of new skills; Take part in something purposeful; Learn about yourself; Be part of a caring and supportive team of friends; Be a visitor and host; Have loads of fun. Take part in a youth exchange.

The Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council provide support, guidance and funding for life changing youth exchanges between the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Countries.

We support exchanges which are:

• Youth-led - where young people are involved in all stages of the planning and running of the exchange. We believe that youth exchanges can be a very powerful instrument for young people's development when everyone has the opportunity to full participate in the planning, organisation and decision making involved in the exchange.

• Two-way - where groups visit, and host, each other. Most exchanges take place over two-years, with one group hosting and the other visiting each year.

• Taking place within the Commonwealth. There are over 50 Commonwealth Countries you could hold an exchange with.

Find out more

If you are thinking about running an exchange, check out our online guide to running a youth exchange.

You can also find out about exchanges currently taking place, and past exchanges run with the support of the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council.