Working in cultural exchange for the past 25 years I have witnessed the impact that programs such as AIFS'. Quite simply cultural exchange changes lives. An AIFS program opens a window to other cultures and traditions, fosters acceptance and builds empathy. It challenges preconceptions and offers an experience with lifelong returns.
Since AIFS’ inception over 1.6 million young people have participated one of our programs around the globe. I hope that I may welcome you to that growing AIFS family.
ABOUT: Wendi joined AIFS as its managing director in 2005 after holding management roles with DFAT and CIEE. She has lived and worked in Boston, London and Tokyo, and speaks Japanese.
Wendi is currently the Chairperson of the Backpacker & Youth Tourism Advisory Panel (BYTAP) and previously served as the President of the Cultural Au Pair in Australia Association (CAPAA) from 2014 until 2019. She is a regular guest speaker at industry events and in the media.
Jasmine joined the AIFS Au Pair team in 2024 as an Inbound Coordinator. She previously worked in the legal field and moved to Australia from Europe after completing study abroad programs in both Germany and France. She speaks five different languages.
Jasmine has extensive experience in cultural exchange and relocating to a new country. Having personally experienced the challenges of moving to a new country, she is an excellent resource for both Au Pairs and host families.
Next travel destination? South America, where she hopes to explore the ancient Inca civilization.
Carolin joined AIFS in 2023 as an Au Pair Coordinator. With a background in communications and project management, she previously worked in the field of Disability. Carolin, who is Australian and German, has always been passionate about bringing people and cultures together. When she's not in the office supporting Au pairs and families to find their perfect match, you'll likely find her in the ocean, swimming up and down the Sydney coastline. She is also our resident Yoga teacher, bringing a consistently positive vibe to the Sydney headquarters.
Next Travel destination : Borneo
Laura joined AIFS in 2023 as a Marketing Coordinator. Originally from Scotland, she has been in Australia since April 2023, and is thoroughly enjoying life in Australia. Laura has a passion for travel, having spent three summers working at summer camps in the USA and Canada, volunteering in Asia, and backpacking around South America, all while attending the University of Strathclyde. Since graduating with a marketing degree in 2020, she has been working in digital marketing. When Laura is not working, she enjoys socialising with friends and attending gym classes.
Next Travel destination : South Africa
Laura arrived in Australia in 2015 as part of the AIFS Work & Travel program and is currently employed by the same team as an Inbound Coordinator, assisting backpackers as they embark on their Australian adventures. Laura has a background in the hospitality industry spanning many years and is also pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce. Having been a backpacker herself, Laura intimately understands the kind of support fellow travellers require and is always eager to lend a helping hand.
Next Travel destination : Fiji
Emily joined AIFS in 2012 and manages the AIFS' Outbound programs, including Camp America, Au Pair in America and Au Pair in NZ. After completing a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences at the University of Sydney, Emily participated on the Camp America program, completing 4 years at NJY’s Round Lake Camp, a camp designed for children with Special Needs and based in Pennsylvania, USA. Emily has a passion for camp, travel and the personal growth, awareness and opportunities that cultural exchange provides.
Next travel destination? Morocco
Anna manages the operations of AIFS Au Pair and is based in AIFS’ Sydney CBD centre. Having worked in the sector for more than 7 years, Anna brings a wealth of experience to nurturing the cultural exchange Au Pair experience, assisting families and Au Pairs across Australia.
Originally from Germany, Anna relocated to the UK when she was 15, and spent a year in Italy as an Au Pair when she was 19. In 2016 Anna relocated to Australia with her family and now calls Sydney home.
Anna’s experience in the industry includes overseeing the operations of Apex Professional Exchange, (previously PROaupair) in Australia – a provider of Au pairs for families with special needs children.
This is Anna’s second year as the Chairperson for the Cultural Au Pair Association of Australia (CAPAA) which was established in 2012 to ensure the setting of industry standards and to protect the Au Pair experience as a rewarding cultural exchange. Anna is committed to supporting host families and Au Pairs, and recognises the importance of good communication. As a working parent, Anna understands the challenges parents face when managing work, childcare and managing a household.
Next travel destination? Portugal
Tony hails from Malaysia but completed his final years of high school and university in Australia. Tony joined AIFS in 2011 and recently celebrated his 10 year anniversary with the company. In addition to English, Tony speaks several Chinese dialects and Malay and has travelled extensively in Asia and Europe.
Next dream travel destination? Europe.
Hanna came to Australia as an Au pair with AIFS in 2016 and is now working as AIFS' Inbound coordinator with the Work & Travel team. After returning home to Germany, Hanna finished her Bachelor in Social Work in 2018 before she decided to follow her heart and to move permanently back to Sydney, which she now calls home.
Having been an exchange student and an Au pair, Hanna understands some of the challenges facing new arrivals and is happy to greet those coming to AIFS Sydney centre.
Next Travel destination : South Africa
Gabriela began her journey with AIFS in 2021 when she travelled from Poland to the United States as an Au Pair. After spending over 1.5 years in New York, she decided to explore another part of the world and arrived in Australia at the end of July 2023. Gabriela joined the AIFS team in Sydney in 2024 and now works as an Inbound Coordinator.
Before moving abroad, Gabriela worked as a photographer for seven years in Poland and graduated with a degree in media studies in 2021.
Gabriela loves to travel, cook, and try new things.
Next travel destination: Italy
Since graduating from university in 2021, Ellie has been seeking new experiences around the world. After au pairing in the Dominican Republic, she spent two summers teaching wakeboarding at a summer camp in America, then travelled around Asia and New Zealand. Ellie finally settled in Sydney, and in 2024, she joined the AIFS team as an Outbound Coordinator. She believes in doing one thing every day that scares you and loves meeting new people who bring out the best in her.
Next travel destination: Taiwan.
Taylah joined AIFS in 2023 and works as an Outbound Coordinator. Previously, she served as a Program Facilitator in the Youth Disability Space. After graduating from high school, Taylah took a gap year and participated in the Camp America program in 2019. She spent her summer at a camp designed for people of all ages with disabilities in upstate New York. Taylah has a passion for advocacy and empowering others to step outside their comfort zones and try new things, especially when it comes to travel and self-development.
Next travel destination: Japan
AIFS acknowledges that we meet and work on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We wish to pay respect to their Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the important role all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within Australia.