From purpose to paycheck: Can cultural exchange and career progression coexist?

Date – Thursday, 25 September
Time – 9:20 – 9:40
Location – Workshop area, CCL

Cultural exchange programmes were founded on the ideal of fostering global understanding through shared experiences. Today’s participants are navigating a very different reality—one where the rising cost of living, student debt, and career pressure shape their decisions just as much as their desire for cultural immersion. At the same time, employers are seeking motivated, skilled individuals who can contribute meaningfully to their workforce.

This session explores the evolving landscape of cultural exchange, asking whether and how programmes can honour their cultural mission while supporting participants’ financial and professional ambitions. What motivates today’s youth to join these programmes? What are employers really looking for? How can we adapt without losing the core of what makes cultural exchange so powerful?

Through candid conversation and practical examples, we’ll examine how the industry can stay true to cultural exchange ideals while acknowledging the financial and career realities for participants, including what motivates today’s participants and employers, and how the industry can evolve to meet those needs without losing its soul.