Exchanges
Spending a week or more with young people from all over Europe, working on a theme that matters to you: that's an exchange. Jong Noord runs exchanges in Groningen and sends groups to exchanges hosted by partners in other countries. Below you can see which ones are coming up and which have already happened.
- Who can join? Young people aged 13 to 30 from the province of Groningen. The age range differs per exchange and is on the project's page. If you live outside the province, you'll go on the waiting list.
- What does it cost? Most exchanges are funded by Erasmus+. The host organisation arranges food, accommodation and the programme, and Jong Noord books your travel. If a project does ask for a contribution, it says so on its page.
- How do you apply? Through the form on the exchange's page. After that we make a selection and let you know if you have a place.
- What is non-formal education? Learning by doing, outside the classroom and without exams. You take part in workshops and activities around a theme, together with young people from other countries. Read more about non-formal education or go straight to the frequently asked questions.
- What do you get out of it? An unforgettable experience, new friends all over Europe, a language you suddenly dare to speak and a Youthpass: a European certificate that shows what you've learned. Every group travels with a group leader, often someone who took part before.
Upcoming exchanges
There are no exchanges planned right now. Check back soon.
Past exchanges
Still at school?
You can ask for time off school for an exchange. Read how it works and what your school wants to know.
How it worksFrequently asked questions
What does a day look like?
Every day has breakfast, lunch and dinner, with two coffee breaks in between. Between meals there are blocks of activities around the theme of the exchange. These are mostly workshops. The organisation runs them, and even better, participants run them themselves. You prepare these with the group in a preparation programme before the exchange.
In the evening there is often an evening programme. For example a cultural evening, where participants from one country present something about their country and serve snacks from their own country. It can also be an evening of songs around a campfire.
Most days look like this. On one or two days you go out, for example to visit a local business or to do something else that fits the theme. Every exchange has its own programme.
Who supervises the group, and how is safety taken care of?
Jong Noord and the host organisation arrange supervision and safety together. We only work with youth organisations that we know can guarantee the social and physical safety of participants, with measures that suit the project. So we do not work with just any organisation.
Jong Noord always sends a leader with experience in guiding groups. This group leader has been on exchanges before, knows how it works and is there for everyone in the group.
There is also always someone from Jong Noord in the Netherlands who participants and parents can reach.
Do I need to prepare?
Yes. Every exchange has a preparation programme. In it you prepare workshops together with the group. You also bring something for the cultural evening and prepare something, for example something about your country and something tasty to try.
I'm under 18. What do my parents need to do?
If you get a place, your parent or guardian signs a consent form. Without that form you cannot come. Parents and teachers with questions can email erasmus@jongnoord.nl. Still at school? Then also read how to ask for time off school.
Is your question not here?
Email us at erasmus@jongnoord.nl or send a message through the contact page.
Email usContact pageMost exchanges are funded by Erasmus+, the European Union programme for education, youth and sport. More about Erasmus+
Co-funded by the European Union