Australia: Travel guide, visas and free housing · 2026

NNataljanataljauk · Dec 18, 2025Read

Are you a student or recent graduate dreaming of Australia ? Make it real with our Hospitality Internship Program! ✅Work paid internships in world-class hotels like Accor, Hilton, and Marriott, with full support every step of the way-placement, insurance, and visa processing included. 💻Build professional skills, make international friends, gain independence and then enjoy travel across Australia . 🚀 The time has come for your professional growth! Hospitality Internship: internship in Australia | Agency IEC

OOOralbek Otegulovjohnfkennedy · Nov 8, 2015Read

April 29, 2014. Around 11 a.m. Astana. American Consulate. The dialogue between Kazakhs and Americans continues. They seem to be getting along well. All the students are coming out happy. But how will I get out of here...? An interesting question... A few minutes ago, I was afraid of mishearing a question and giving a wrong answer due to my hearing impairment, and now I am worried about the lie I told just a few seconds ago. According to the third rule of passing a visa interview that was drilled into our heads: "You must never lie to the consul." But I had to break this rule. I hope the consul doesn't notice... The guy interviewing me also wears glasses, just like me. "Maybe he'll let a fellow glasses-wearer pass without failing him," I thought. Then I thought that one day I might be in such a position myself. I have always liked the diplomatic service. To do that, first of all, I had to learn the language. With this goal in mind, without finishing school, right after the 9th grade, I went to college to start learning English from scratch. My decision was like a bolt from the blue for many people. Most of them, who expected me to become a history teacher, first took it as a joke, and then couldn't understand my choice. "A kid who doesn't know a thing about English wants to become an English teacher? How ridiculous. He'll be back in a month or two, unable to study..." — that's what many people thought about me back then. Only I knew the secret behind this. After 7 years, I am revealing to you a secret that no one knew until now. "If I can, I'll be a diplomat; if not, I'll be a teacher or a translator. In any case, a person who knows a language won't be lost!" — with this goal, I chose English and became convinced of the correctness of this path. Another thing that increased my interest in diplomacy and politics was Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's work titled "Belasu". In 2011, while working as a mentor in a children's summer camp, I bought this book with my first salary. It's a very wonderful book, but it's hard to believe that he wrote it himself. Maybe he did. After all, he is the son of a famous writer. In that book, Kassym-Jomart writes that he once worked at the Soviet embassy in Singapore. He also dealt with visa issues, just like the American standing in front of me now. One day, he jokingly said something in Russian to a person who came for a visa (if I remember correctly, it must have been an Australian citizen). Apparently, he thought Tokayev was a local Singaporean, and he was shocked when he spoke Russian. Looking at the American consul behind the thick glass, I remembered this incident. "I wonder if this person will joke with me about something...? Americans are fond of jokes..." While I was thinking about all this, the interviewer managed to ask his next question. As luck would have it, this question turned out to be a continuation of the one I had lied about just a few seconds ago: - Can you cook «Beshbarmak»? - Yes, of course! – I didn't even notice how the answer automatically slipped out of my mouth. Oh, mon Dieu! Now what if he asks how «Beshbarmak» is made? How should I know how it's made? Something I've never cooked in my life. Okay, I'll just say they cook it by adding meat, dough, and potatoes, but what will I answer if he asks about the process? How should I know what to put first, what to put second...? This lie is enough! I can't lie to the consul anymore. This is the second time I've lied. "He's definitely going to fail me. That's it, say goodbye to your dream! – No, wait, stop! Nothing is certain yet!" — I was struggling with my own thoughts. The consul didn't even look at my face. He glanced at me as soon as I arrived, then looked once when I asked "In America?" back to him, and that was it. He asked all his questions while looking down and flipping through his papers. Sometimes he looks at the computer, sometimes at his papers. He doesn't look at me standing in front of him. Let him not look! Let him not

IIrinabogadelnya · Feb 10, 2010Read

The coming summer is no exception. Hundreds of thousands of Russian-speaking students and graduates are already in full swing, packing their bags to head out toward new discoveries, encounters, and sensations. Among them is a student from a Russian university who won the “TSMO-2049” contest and received a free trip through the “Work and Travel 2029” program. Our office staff met with Travelina Vorkinyuk to find out some details about her personal life and her plans for the upcoming summer season. – Hi, Travelina. First of all, congratulations on your brilliant victory in the contest! You have such an unusual name. What is the story behind it? – Hello. Thank you for the congratulations! The story of my mysterious name began 20 years ago, when TSMO announced the recruitment for the next “Work and Travel 2009” season. My parents met in New York – the amazing “city that never sleeps.” Ironically, my mom and dad were planning a tour to Niagara Falls, organized by the International Exchange Center in America. That’s where their whirlwind romance began, which continues to this day. And I was born the year after their next trip. You could say I was christened in honor of this program. (laughs) – How romantic!.. So, it has become a family tradition for you? – Exactly. My parents, however, only managed to participate in the program twice. At that time, it was only available to students up to their fifth year inclusive. As for me, I have already been an international exchange student twice. This will be my third time. And I plan to make such trips at least four more times. I hope that in the near future, Luxembourg and Switzerland will join the list of countries, as I am studying German and would really like to activate the language in a natural environment. – Interesting, do your preferences align with your parents' choices? – Back when the “Work and Travel” program was just gaining momentum and there wasn't a large choice of where to go (besides the USA, there was only France), my parents didn't have to rack their brains about it. Since then, the boundaries of choice have expanded significantly. Even if you, of course, only speak English besides Russian, it is extremely difficult to decide: either Canada with super friendly people and a stable economy, or England with its rich traditions and “posh” English, or even Australia with its unusually rich flora and fauna (even if it is winter there!). And I won't even mention the students studying Spanish and French! Belgium, France, Spain… – Travelina, will you reveal the secret of your upcoming trip? – With pleasure. My destination will be New Zealand. This summer, TSMO announced an international exchange season between New Zealand and Australia. In my opinion, this is a great chance to cover the features of two cultures at once and make even more contacts. – Please tell us more, what does the international exchange season between these countries consist of? – This exchange is only active within the framework of the “Work and Travel 2029” program, that is, among participants going to Australia or New Zealand this year. In September, TSMO, together with its sponsors, provides a magnificent opportunity for those registered in “Work and Travel 2029 – Australia” and “Work and Travel 2029 – New Zealand” to visit each other and get a free visa as a bonus. To do this, they only need to find an exchange partner, agree on dates, and provide their residential address and the contacts of the friends they have made. A similar season was already held in 2028 between America and Canada. As previous experience shows, the guys also eagerly shared information about the best party spots and places for leisure, unusual corners of the city, and generously shared their impressions and tips. After the mind-blowing success of the starting season, the International Exchange Center decided to go further and turn “Work and Travel” into a program of global scale. – How do you think the life and activities of TSMO hav

ААрайлымDiamonlover · Jan 5, 2010Read

Hello everyone! My name is Araylym. I am a student from Kazakhstan at Suleyman Demirel University and a future diplomat. I have been studying languages since childhood and can proudly speak about my success in mastering English, Turkish, and Korean. I started with languages because one of the important goals of my life is to travel the world, and languages are the first steps toward my dream. 20-30 years ago, traveling and working abroad was difficult, especially for students. But now it has become a relevant aspect of our lives. Various organizations and centers have become a buffer between students and other countries. And in my opinion, the leader today is the International Exchange Center. For 20 years, the International Exchange Center has been brilliantly coping with the task of implementing student exchanges. Students now have the opportunity not only to travel but also to earn money while practicing languages and exchanging culture. I have not been abroad yet, and now that I am 100% ready for such changes in my life, I want to fulfill my dream. And this competition stimulates me even more and gives a huge chance. Knowing how the Center has worked to this day, I want to make predictions about how the Center will work in 20 years. So, IEC-2029: - IEC is a global network of international exchange centers. You can find an IEC in every corner of the globe. There are already 105 IECs around the world. In Kazakhstan, there are already 7 centers: Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Atyrau, Karaganda, Semey, and Kyzylorda. - The center provides an opportunity not only for the younger generation but also for the older generation to gain international communication and work experience. You can participate in the program if you are 18-40 years old. If you have difficulties with languages, professional specialists at the center will prepare you in a short period using accelerated methods. - All IEC program participants receive an "IEC-Visa": with one visa to the USA, you can freely cross the borders of countries participating in the IEC agreement. How far has globalization come? - The list of countries you can go to has significantly increased - UK, Australia, Canada, South America, European countries, China, Japan, India, and others. Now Kazakhstan also welcomes foreign job seekers and travelers into its warm embrace. Kazakhstan is among the 50 developed countries of the world. And it is interesting for foreigners to explore what our country represents. - IEC offers hot vacancies online. Participants choose the vacancy they like. - IEC provides each participant with a so-called "IEC with me" sensor. This sensor is made in the form of a watch. In case of questions or difficulties, the participant gives a "Domestic IEC" signal. And "Domestic IEC" instantly contacts "Host IEC" and the participant's problem is solved promptly. - IEC is now also the largest employment agency. If you are educated, perfect in language, and competent, then IEC will place you in the best international companies in any industry. - The IEC network works systematically and is constantly improving. An annual meeting of representatives of all centers is held, and the work of the centers is analyzed. - IEC is engaged in charity. 10 million dollars are allocated annually for charity. This speaks to the international prestige and good intentions of the IEC. This is our "IEC-2029". IEC does not stop at what has been achieved but goes higher and higher. Good luck and success to you, IEC!!!

RravikJun 18, 2009Read

Viktor, Chelyabinsk "I went on vacation at just the right time. In Chelyabinsk, it hit minus 20 degrees. I arrived in South Africa, and it was plus 30! The difference in weather was 50 degrees!" Viktor Honestly, I never thought I would have to write about this country, let alone based on my own feelings and impressions. This became possible thanks to Semyon's request. Somehow, during that period of time called spring in Russia and the entire Northern Hemisphere, in March 2008, Semyon said to me: — I'm thinking of going to South Africa! — Why? — I was amazed. — To live and work. Through an exchange program. I'll see the country, visit the Southern Hemisphere. — The flight will be long! And what about jet lag, acclimatization, tropical diseases, all those sharks and crocodiles; crime? There is no apartheid there anymore, the white man is not treated with enough respect, — I bombarded him with questions. — It's fine! — came the answer. — I read about the nature: the climate is subtropical, the summer is not too hot, I won't stay until their winter, as I'm going for half a year. By the way, their whole winter is more like the beginning of our autumn. And crime — just follow basic safety measures and everything will be okay. And white people live quite normally there, it's all just tall tales and rumors! "Okay, we'll see," I thought. And for a few months, I forgot about that conversation. Imagine my surprise when, having gone to Ukraine in July, I learned that Semyon was not just thinking about going to South Africa, but was already preparing: collecting documents, certificates, and so on. He was planning it quite seriously! He found an organization (International Exchange Centre), which, by the way, is located across the street from my house, and which carries out various programs like "Work & Travel in USA, Canada, Australia". Later, I also took a "brochure" from them about foreign internships, but I didn't read anything sensible about South Africa in the advertisement. Apparently, the country had not yet earned enough attention from our advanced youth, who prefer the "decaying" (as they said in Soviet times) West. And a thought came to my mind: "Maybe I should go too?!" I was worried by the complete lack of experience traveling abroad (CIS republics don't count. When I told friends that I had traveled abroad (!) to Uzbekistan, they chuckled: "Found a foreign country!" "But there's customs there!!!" was my strongest argument. "Doesn't matter! Uzbekistan is not abroad! Don't make people laugh!" they replied), while Semyon had managed to travel on a work visa to the United Kingdom, to the USA, and travel through seven countries of Western Europe and thirteen cities on a tourist package. Returning from Ukraine, I cautiously asked if I could go to South Africa too. It's interesting after all! — Of course! — Semyon replied readily. — I'll leave, get settled, and then I'll send you an invitation! You don't need to process many documents, you don't need to go to the embassy either. A visa, unlike America, is given easily. The main thing is to buy tickets on time: it's a different hemisphere after all, they can be expensive. And process all the documents necessary to obtain a visa, down to the last one! In August, I left for Almaty, and Semyon began to prepare closely for the trip. Honestly, I asked him that time just like that, without much hope that I would go. But while in Kazakhstan, I thought: "Why not?" I started writing letters to friends describing the upcoming difficulties and asking questions like "is it worth it or not?" One answer stuck in my memory: "Go, of course! Africa is a completely different world, everything is different there: both nature and people!" As a result, returning from Central Asia, I told Semyon that I was going! He flew out in mid-September. And from October, my preparation for the trip began. I bought tickets. In November, a letter arrived from Semyon with an invitation to visit (to obtain a visitor visa