Project dates

October 2017-June 2018

Project overview

Interchange offers international students a one-of-a-kind platform of theoretical and practical employability skills opportunity, where they can establish and extend both their local and international network. Over three full workshop days, inter-university teams create a simulated start-up, identifying and addressing real-life problems facing international students such as employability, social and language barriers and housing. The student teams are supported and mentored by previous participants and professional industry experts. Students have the opportunity to visit various start-up incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces across Sydney.

Project highlights

The Interchange program, co-funded by Study NSW and various NSW universities, is a unique entrepreneurial Partner Project that focuses on strengthening the international student community across Sydney. In 2018, Australian Catholic University hosted the program along with six participating NSW universities including University of NSW, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, University of Newcastle, University of Sydney and Western Sydney University who brought together two hundred and fifty international students from all disciplines and levels of study.

Project background

In a globally competitive world, many international students take an investment approach to studying abroad and the ability to build employability skills whilst studying in Australia is considered very valuable. Interchange provides a platform for international students to develop these crucial employability skills and networks while studying in Australia. Interchange is part of the work integrated learning journey and provides students a chance to work on real-world problems in a fast paced and engaging manner. Interchange also combats the problem of social isolation as inter-varsity teams work closely together for a month, making new networks and friends.

Project outcomes

Interchange enables students to build employability skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving and creative thinking skills. As part of this it encourages students to network and build local Australian and international networks by exposing them to the NSW start-up and entrepreneurship eco-system including incubators and co-working spaces. Interchange improves the employability skills of international students including their English language skills and gives them ‘real-world’ Australian work experience. Student Isha Miglani found Interchange to be 'an incredibly appraising journey, helping me find my inner entrepreneur and invigorating my problem solving skills.'

Project deliverables

The project deliverables include the involvement of a minimum of 250 international students as well as peer advisors, student volunteers and industry mentors. The collaboration of 7 universities with a host university sharing in the coordination of the event with The FRANK Team. There is the inclusion of TedX style speaking opportunities from Australian entrepreneurs and interactive workshops covering lean start-up methodology and key employability skills. Students are given the opportunity to attend site-visits to entrepreneurship incubators and co-working spaces and to attend a Live Gala Pitch event featuring Australian entrepreneurs, industry and NSW government representatives.

Challenges and recommendations

This is the fourth instalment of Interchange and there is an opportunity for further institutions to be involved to ensure more international students get access to these employability and entrepreneurship opportunities. There are also opportunities to build stronger and more sustainable partnerships between the start-up community and international students. Support and guidance for students completing the program via online resources, videos and referrals is also recommended.

Further information

The FRANK Team

info@frankteam.com.au