In partnership with Tourism Queensland, the Alliance Abroad Group (AAG), a 20-year-old cultural exchange organization, is expanding its service offerings to the South Pacific today as it announces a Work Experience Program to Australia. Launching this spring, AAG’s Work Experience Australia program offers American students and young professionals an opportunity to enrich their lives with a cultural exchange to gain valuable, paid work experience and international experience on the pristine beaches of the Great Barrier Reef.

“As university students face rising unemployment rates and significant competition for the few jobs available today, this program offers a real opportunity to build a resume and edge out their competition,” said Victoria Lynden, chief executive officer, Alliance Abroad Group. “If overseas experience wasn’t enough motivation to consider working in Australia, the starting salaries our partners have agreed to should be more than enough to entice students look in the hospitality industry where international work experience is a true differentiator.”

This first-of-its-kind program guarantees participants a job placement in advance of their travels as well as travel insurance and assistance with visa paperwork, transportation and in-country needs while abroad.  These components provide ease of mind to those participating as the place of work and wage will be secured before departure in addition to on-the-ground support throughout their stay. AAG actively recruits and pre-screens potential candidates nationwide and matches them to appropriate tourism and hospitality employers to ensure employment expectations are met on both sides - employer and employee.

“We are thrilled to work with Alliance Abroad Group and welcome students from around the U.S. to the various esteemed Queensland facilities,” says Shana Pereira, international director Americas, Tourism Queensland. “As the U.S. is one of our top markets, we could not imagine a stronger means to showcase the strength of Queensland tourism beyond a cultural exchange such as this.”

One of the many participating employers in AAG’s Work Experience Australia program is Hamilton Island’s luxurious Qualia Resort, considered one of the finest resort properties in the world.  When not gaining invaluable professional experience with international clientele at four-and five-star resorts, students spend time experiencing the beauty and wonder that the magnificent Great Barrier Reef offers. Additionally, the tax refund students earn will likely provide enough monetary means to account for the program fee and airfare to Australia.