CHANGE YOURSELF, CHANGE THE WORLD.

INTERCHANGE is open to all Western Sydney University international students.

It will introduce you to the world of entrepreneurship and innovation, whilst at the same time providing you with critical work experience for your resume and future job applications.

The program is for you if you want to build your career confidence.

You do not need to have had any experience with entrepreneurship and innovation to participate. It is designed to help you upskill to become work-ready and start-up savvy over a fast-paced, intense 2.5-week period.

INTERCHANGE 2023, you will:

  • Attend a hybrid mix of virtual & in person sessions including an Information Session, Orientation, Summits, a Masterclass (on pitching skills) & Pitch/Graduation event
  • Develop transferrable soft skills: such as Teamwork, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Communication & Pitching Skills, Presentation skills, and more.
  • Access TEDx style keynote presentations by successful entrepreneurs and leaders Solve a real-life problem impacting humanity, with your team made up of students from other Universities/Institutions
  • Work with an accomplished business mentor
  • Collaborate virtually with your team to create a video pitch of your idea Participate in the event alongside 300 other students - from all areas of study and from around the world. You will meet new people and gain new insights
  • Have the chance to win some amazing prizes

"INTERCHANGE was an enormous opportunity for me to explore some of my hidden talents and at the same time mix with hundreds of international students who had similar passions. This experience will undoubtedly be helpful for my academic success too.
(Past INTERCHANGE participant)

WHAT WILL YOU GET FROM INTERCHANGE?

Get networked!
Meet international students from other Universities/Institutions and build your friendship and professional networks

Be an entrepreneur
Become a graduate who is creative, resilient, emotionally intelligent, and agile!

Become a problem solver
Employers want graduates who can think critically, understand the power of teamwork, can communicate and challenge the status quo

Fast-track your way to success
Learn leadership and innovative skills solving ‘real-world’ problems that international students face in Australia.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

This is a Hybrid Challenge; where you will participate virtually & in person in events and work collaboratively with your team. You will be part of a unique, fast-paced, and action-packed learning journey.

You will learn by doing, working as part of a team; your challenge is to identify a problem and solve it.
This Virtual Employability and Entrepreneurship Challenge will conclude with 5 shortlisted teams doing an online pitch in front of a panel of judges. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams.

Along the way, you will benefit from the support and experience of leading facilitators, a team mentor, and expert guest speakers. You will also have the opportunity to assess your skills at the start and end of the INTERCHANGE 2023 program, so you can recognise your own progress.

You will be expected to attend and participate in all events of the INTERCHANGE 2023 program Outside the online event hours, you will also be expected to communicate with your teammates on a regular basis and access various other resources made available to you online.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

  • Virtual Information Session: Thursday 29th June, 12pm – 1pm or Monday 3rd July 5pm-6pm
  • In person Orientation / Summit #1: Saturday 22nd July, 10am – 1pm
  • Virtual Summit #2: Saturday 29th July, 10am – 1pm
  • Optional Virtual Masterclass on Pitching Skills: Tuesday 1st August Time TBC
  • Pitch & Graduation: Thursday 3rd August, 5pm-8pm
  • Applications: Applications are now open and will close on Friday 23 June 2023.

Virtual Information sessions Before Program Kick off Date: Thursday 29th June, 12pm – 1pm or Monday 3rd July, 5pm-6pm

Timeframe: 1 hour
Format:
Virtual

  • 10.00am Introduction & attendance
  • 10.10am Students will be introduced to the challenge through these Virtual Information Sessions. 10.30am Introduction to INTERCHANGE challenge problems to solve
  • 11.00 Conclusion

SUMMIT 1: Saturday, 22nd July 2023

Timeframe: 3 hours
Format:
In person

  • 10.00am Introduction
  • 10.20am Speed networking activity. They will also meet their teams and be assigned a mentor.
  • 10.40am Inspirational speaker
  • 10.55am Introduction to themes OR guest speakers on each theme (Smaller masterclass format)
  • 11.30am Break (Entertainment)
  • 11.45am Masterclasses: Introduction to the Business Model Canvas with franked.io facilitators covering topics such as customer segments, value proposition, channels, costs, revenue
  • 12.45pm Debrief & Wrap up
  • 1.00pm Conclusion

SUMMIT 2: Saturday, 29th July 2023

Timeframe: 3 hours
Format:
Virtual

  • 10.00am Introduction
  • 10.15am Speed networking activity
  • 10.30am Inspirational speaker
  • 10.55am FRANK Masterclass on how to create a video pitch and presentation
  • 11.55am Break
  • 12.00pm Question time
  • 12.40pm Debrief & Wrap up
  • 1.00pm Conclusion

OPTIONAL VIRTUAL MASTERCLASS ON PITCHING SKILLS: Tuesday, 1st August 2023

Timeframe: 1 hour
Format:
Virtual

Students will access a virtual masterclass on presentation skills to help them fine tune their pitching skills.

HYBRID PITCH & GRADUATION EVENT IN SYDNEY: Thursday, 3rd August 2023

Timeframe: 3 hours
Format:
In-person

  • 5.00pm Welcome & agenda for pitch event
  • 5.15pm Attendance roll-call for students who will be pitching and representing their team. Evaluation of program.
  • 5.30pm FRANK Facilitators will deliver smaller masterclass sessions to provide tips and practice for pitching
  • 6.00pm Break & networking
  • 6.30pm Official pitch event welcome and agenda. Introduction to the 3 judges and the INTERCHANGE journey
  • 6.45pm VIP Welcome Remarks
  • 6.50pm Pitching commences: Speakers from each of the 5 teams will pitch their idea 1 by 1 to the 3 judges 7.30pm Break for guests
  • 7.50pm Winners announced
  • 8.00pm Final words and event close

You may visit https://interchange-nsw.com.au for more information and follow Franked.io on LinkedIn for updates on the program.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

Ask us a question through CareerHub if you want to know more