The Summer Work 
Student Exchange program is a summer work program that runs for six weeks (from late June to mid-August) and is aimed at students 16 and 17 years of age. The program finds jobs for participants in communities in another province. Communities are paired so that students work in their second official language. During their stay in the host community, each student lives with the family of the student with whom they have been paired. Coordinators (postsecondary students) supervise the students participating in the program, and run a program of activities.
The main factors that determine the program's success are the degree of effort and enthusiasm that the students display for living with another family, working at a new job and honing their official language skills.
The main benefits to students are:
- Improved second official language skills
- A positive work experience
- Knowledge of another region of Canada and another culture
- Greater maturity
Student Exchange program is administered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto and is sponsored by VIA Rail There is minimal cost to participants ($50 non-refundable participation fee upon acceptance) thanks to Canadian Heritage, which financially supports this program through Exchanges Canada.