Celebrate 50 years of SWAP

It's our birthday and to celebrate, we have two SWAP working holidays + flight vouchers up for grabs. Read on to find out more.

Polaroid-style photo of four friends posing together at night.

Sending Canadians abroad since ‘75

For 50 years, SWAP has been the launchpad for Canadians ready to expand horizons, build global friendships, and return home with stories worth sharing. We’ve helped over 76,000 young travellers live and work around the world – and now it’s your turn to take the leap.

To celebrate, we have two SWAP working holidays + flight vouchers up for grabs. Enter to win by filling out the entry form below before the 31st of October 2025. The winner will be announced on our Instagram, so be sure to follow us at @swapabroad for updates.

Why do a working holiday?

There are tons of reasons why you should consider a working holiday. A year in flip flops and a steady stream of drinks served in coconuts being  just two of them. Here are three more reasons why a SWAP working holiday will rock your world:

Work experience

You’ll gain valuable work experience and transferable skills that could boost your employability when you get home.

Earn while you travel

Whether you decide to pick up casual jobs on the road or settle down for a year in a new city, you’ll earn money to help fund your adventure.

New friendships

And, of course, making new connections. You may just find your new travel buddy.

What's up for grabs

  • 1st Prize

    The golden adventure pass

    Includes:

    - A working holiday to the destination of your choice

    - CAD $500 flight voucher

    - SWAP swag bag

  • 2nd Prize

    Throwback trip to New Zealand

    Includes:

    - A working holiday to New Zealand (SWAP'S OG destination!)

    - CAD $500 flight voucher

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  • Who can enter

    If you have a valid Canadian passport and are between the ages of 18-35, then you are good to go! You can read the full competition T&Cs at the link below.

    Full Competiton Terms & Conditions 

SWAPPED to Australia

Hailey's SWAP Story

"Once I got accepted to my Bachelor of Education program and began, I kind of put my dream of living in Australia on the back burner. I finished my program, I asked a lot of friends to come with me. Everyone had pets or partners, or car payments or mortgages and a whole list of other reasons why they couldn’t go. I thought if I didn’t go now, I would never go, so I went by myself. I never wanted to look back on my life and wonder “what if?”.

The very first person I met in Sydney in my hostel room is one of my closest friends today. Later that day, I met my now-fiancé, Sam. Since then, our lives have grown together in Kelowna, BC. Six years later, we’re happily engaged and raising our two children. So, I landed at 7 am in Sydney, and by 9 am, I had met a lifelong friend and my now fiancé. If it wasn’t for my working holiday in Australia and my welcome week I booked through SWAP, I can honestly say I would not be where I am today."

SWAPPED TO LONDON

Libby's SWAP Story

"Working abroad completely changed my life. Once I graduated from university, I thought I just wanted a little adventure before “settling down.” Instead, I discovered a whole new world and worked my way across the globe, meeting incredible people, and having experiences so amazing I often thought, how is this my life?

Those years gave me courage, sparked my curiosity, and helped me discover what I truly care about. Twenty-five years later, I can’t imagine who I’d be without them. That’s why, when I returned to Canada, I made it my mission to encourage other Canadians to take the same leap. I’m so proud of everyone who goes abroad because once you do, life will never be the same, in the best way possible."

SWAPPED TO Ireland

Myriam's SWAP Story

"I remember my 23rd birthday being one of the best I’ve had. This was the perfect picture of my experience as a Swapper. Wherever you are, you’ll find a family. Hell, you’ll make one.

Now here I am, a week away from my 36th birthday. Two babies. An expat husband who I met 12 years ago, working at a hostel, just a few months after coming home from Ireland.

Now, I’m employed at the very same college that sent me abroad via SWAP back in the day. It’s now my turn to send students across the globe. Full circle is an understatement, right?"

Let's swap travel stories

We love nothing more than a trip down memory lane. So, if you travelled with SWAP over the past 50 years and have a travel tale to tell, we want to feature you! DM us at @swapabroad or email: Jgarciamarin@swap.ca.

Start your SWAP journey

We’ve sent thousands abroad; will you be next?

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