Video transcript: International Experience Canada in a nutshell for Canadian youth

Video length: 2 minutes 27 seconds

Narrator: We are IEC, International Experience Canada, and we believe that travel enriches personal journeys.

Calm, upbeat music plays through the video.

A woman in a jean jacket holds a camera in front her in a “selfie” position, as she stands from a high vantage point over a city view. Key phrases from the narration appear over the imagery.

Text displays, centred in white: “We are IEC.”

A series of young adults appear, including a woman in a blue T-shirt.

Text displays, centred in white: “International Experience Canada”

The young adults include another woman in a brown polo shirt, a man wearing black-rimmed glasses and an orange hat, a woman with a black long-sleeved top, a man in a black hoodie, and a woman in a flowing floral top. All of them look directly at the camera. The backgrounds behind them are varied and out of focus, including tall buildings, a grove of trees and an office.

Narrator: Travelling is a unique life experience that transforms and expands your world view.

A woman wearing glasses and a large brimmed hat smiles in front of a tree. She stands near a docked boat.

Text displays, centred in white: “Unique life experience.”

A green border frame appears. Yellow lines on a road and a white fence in front of foliage flash by with a purple borders. A globe spins rapidly with the purple frame changing to a pink color.

Text displays, centred in white: “Expands your world view.”

A young man walks through a courtyard in between concrete apartment buildings. He has a bun in his hair and wears a striped T-shirt. Signs with Chinese lettering advertise businesses on the first floor of the buildings. Awnings cover the ground floor entrances. Debris and old furniture stand in the courtyard. The young man looks around. One man leans outside of a business door, and a boy sits cross-legged on a low stone wall, facing him.

A line of women dance in costumes with bright pink skirts and elaborate floral embroidery, while waving fans with a floral pattern.

Narrator: Because exploring a new culture is an amazing way to open your mind and broaden your horizons.

A person with line tattoos on their hand, and beaded bracelets on their wrists, sits reading a book. Their face is not visible. The person is wearing a white top with an embroidered pattern, a brown belt and blue bottoms.

Text displays, centred in white: “Broaden your horizons.”

The picture is broken up into a cascade of clear rectangles, stacked inside each other. An animated sequence follows.

The words “Broaden your horizons” morph into a small white circle that appears in the centre of the rectangles. A light blue circle grows from behind it, expanding to form the image’s background. Black lines appear from the white circle in the middle, stretching to connect to multicoloured circles all over the image. Some lines are straight, some are zig-zagged, some are wavy.

Narrator: Because developing a vast social network creates lifelong connections.

The white circle expands to form a rectangular box, tightly stacked on layers of similar white boxes. The rectangular box contains the words “Lifelong connections” in black. A green circle emerges from behind the boxes, expanding to fill the background. The image pulls back to show a huge number of free-floating multicoloured circles, surrounding the box and its connected circles. The green background with circles gives way to a grey background.

Three lines of white rectangles, all featuring “Resume” in grey text, run across the screen. The resumes each include a grey circle at the top, and horizontal grey lines running underneath the title.

On one of the rectangles, the word “Resume” is highlighted in pink, and the grey circle turns gold, with a blue wavy border surrounding it. A grid of black lines covers the gold circle. Beneath the title, the horizontal grey lines are replaced by a green globe with three pink markers on multiple continents. A green wavy squiggle flows under the map, and on the right side of the paper, a line of different shapes rolls by, in gold, purple and dark blue.

The resume pops out from the others, to the centre of the image. Horizontal black lines fill in the spaces between the shapes on the sheet, giving the impression of text.

Narrator: Because international work experience is highly valued by Canadian employers.

The background is now green. It features pink and gold stars and blue half-circles, which float by in between black and grey lines. The resume sits on an angle in the centre. A green checkmark appears in the blue-and-gold circle at the top. Across the screen, two hands reach out. They share a handshake.

The resume flies off the screen, waving as it moves.

The image animation gives way to stop-motion, featuring physical objects. There’s a background of light yellow wood, resembling a table. A journal sits in the middle, open to two pages. A brown ribbon is tucked inside the book, behind the pages, as a bookmark.

On the white pages, there are stickers of a plane, a handshake, gold stars, gold half-circles and a blue asterisk. Two fabric badges feature the Canadian flag (a red maple leaf on a white background, flanked by two red bars), and the word “Canada” in gold embroidery on a brown background.

Four photographs (non-animated) are also on the pages. In one, a man walks along a grassy mountain path, towards a patch of evergreen trees. Beneath this, a photo shows a person’s feet on a car dashboard. The windshield looks out onto a long stretch of road, surrounded by trees on both sides, under a blue sky with white fluffy clouds. On the opposite page, a man walks down a boardwalk on a sunny day. A Ferris wheel stands behind the boardwalk. Underneath, a photo shows four young adults leaning on a railing. They look out over water in the early evening, as city buildings tower behind them.

Between the photographs and emblems, captions are written in indistinct script, with arrows pointing to some of the items. The journal snaps shut.

Narrator: The Government of Canada created IEC to allow Canadians aged 18 to 35 to travel while working in over 35 international destinations.

The journal has a black cover, with stickers on the front showing simplified drawings of multiple destinations. These include the Moai of Easter Island, the Eiffel Tower in France, a Mayan pyramid from Central America, Japan’s Mount Fuji in front of the sun, a Japanese traditional gate, Australia’s Sydney Opera House, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Of course, there is also a Canadian maple leaf.

On the table, the journal is surrounded by a black camera, a pink pen, a grey hat, brown sunglasses, white headphones, a silver laptop, a blue and gold passport, a cell phone in an olive green case, and an ID cover in pink, green, blue, red and gold. The ID cover contains a photo of a young man in a black hoodie, over a green background. On the background, “18-35” is written in white text.

A red satchel appears underneath the objects. The objects slide into the bag, except for the ID, which jumps to the front of the image, lingering for a moment. It slips into the satchel, which moves up to the centre of the table.

The video returns to animation. The entire image is folded into a paper airplane, which flies off, leaving a pink background. The pink area is divided into wavy circles, which open up at the centre to reveal a light purple background with white clouds, blue half-circles, and pink and gold stars.

A pink circle is at the centre, with “35+ international destinations” written in black. Paper airplanes fly past it. The circle spins to turn into the Earth, and the paper planes emit a pink trail, which covers the entire background. Black wavy lines cut through the pink. The Earth spins.

Narrator: We make agreements with other countries to offer work permits to people in this age group.

Four rectangular boxes, in blue, green, gold and purple, pop up around the Earth. Each box contains the words “Work permit,” in black. Black straight lines emerge from the boxes to point at various places on the Earth. Paper airplanes fly around the planet.

The image splits in half, moving to a cream animated background with red and green wavy lines dividing it. In a star-shaped emblem with a light pink background, there’s a cartoon person with orange skin and curly dark hair. They wear a white lab coat and green gloves. They hold up two small scientific tests, white rectangles with a purple section at the centre. The person smiles, looking at the tests. The image of the scientist flies offscreen.

Narrator: Different types of work permits are available, even for those who don’t yet have any work experience.

In a box with curved sides, a person with pink skin and dark floppy hair stands against a green background. They wear a light yellow shirt and a tan apron. They pour coffee from a silver pitcher into a green mug.

This image moves to make room for a curved square with a blue background, featuring a person with orange skin and white hair, who is wearing white glasses and a blue sweater with white patterns. The smiling person looks at a laptop, as typing sounds play.

Next, a person with pink skin and long, straight brown hair appears in a flower emblem with a blue background. They wear a green sweater and brown pants, and carry a yellow shoulder bag. The person reaches a hand out.

The screen shifts to show the person’s hand, reaching out to a variety of shapes, including a light blue flower, a dark green flag, green triangles, a powder blue rhombus, a bright blue curved square, a green square with indented edges, a pink squiggle, a light orange asterisk, and a golden, thicker flower. The hand hovers over the shapes.

Narrator: Depending on the chosen country, Canadians can be eligible for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer and doesn’t require a job offer before they apply.

The animated image disappears, revealing a live action image. On a yellow-green surface, a green apple sits in the centre. It is surrounded by a green-and-brown thermos, white earbuds, a black cell phone, a pink barbell, and blue running shoes. A person’s hand reaches out to grab the apple.

A green animated square, at the top of a stack of squares, moves into the centre of the image. The words “Open Work Permit” are written on the square in white. The table and objects give way to a plain green background. At the sides of the image, the words “Open” and “Work Permit” are written repeatedly in white outline.

The “Open Work Permit” square moves into the top left corner. A series of green rectangles fill the rest of the image. Within them, videos appear. A person wearing black gloves slices an apple. Someone in a plaid jacket, standing in a grassy field near an RV, trims a plant with purple flowers. A person cuts someone’s hair, trimming the ends neatly. A flat orange plank is run through a saw, which cuts it in the shape of a skateboard. A person wearing a gold bracelet cuts red fabric with scissors.

The images move around the screen, forming three tall rectangles. Within them, a person in a hard hat who has tattooed arms runs a large saw through a giant clump of soil. A person with short blond hair, tattooed arms and a nose ring cuts steak on a counter. A third person runs a circular metal grinder against a metal bar, creating sparks.

Narrator: It also allows them to work for more than one employer, in more than one location.

Text displays, centred in white among the 3 boxes: “More than one employer.” Then, the text changes to: “More than one location. ”

The three rectangles disappear, to be replaced by one central rectangle, which has the word “OR” in white outline. The rectangle spins onto its side, and now says “Employer-Specific Permit” in solid white letters. The words “Employer,” “Specific” and “Work Permit” flash in white outline on the sides of the rectangle.

Narrator: Or, an employer-specific work permit, which is often used for interns and young professionals.

The central rectangle moves up into the top right corner. In the middle, a video appears, of a man in a beige beanie, wearing a graphic T-shirt over a black long-sleeved shirt. The man is also wearing a black apron, and has a pencil tucked above his ear. He is examining a wooden plank in a workshop. In another clip, the same person runs a saw over the plank.

Text displays, centred in white: “Requires a job offer. ” then it rolls up to display: “Tied to one employer.”

Narrator: It requires a job offer before they apply, and it is tied to one employer.

The green background zooms in to reveal a woman wearing a grey coat and large dark glasses walking through a classical city square, across from a large brick tower with a steeple.

Narrator: With IEC, it’s possible to work and travel abroad for up to 2 years.

In a hospital ward, a health care worker in blue scrubs, wearing a stethoscope around their neck, hangs a clear IV bag on a metal pole. In the nearest bed, a dummy patient with grey hair is lying down. Two more workers, one in scrubs and one in a white lab coat, are surrounding the bed, while another person in scrubs tends to a patient in the next bed over.

A bearded man in a black outfit, including a black apron with orange straps, uses an object to lift a strand of dough.

Animated text displays, centred in white: “Up to 2 years.“ with animated arrows pointing up and down on the right side.

Narrator: Each destination has its own unique application process; that’s why our website provides useful information to help along the way.

A person wearing black mittens draws a line on a paper map in red. A compass is lying on the map.

The image changes to stop-motion. Pieces of the map are cut out to form clouds, featuring cities all over the world, including Yokohama, Edmonton, Dunfermline, Madrid and Paris. Red yarn forms squiggles across the screen, with a small paper airplane attached to each strand of yarn. The paper airlines move across the screen, and push the pieces of the map around, all against a blue background.

As the yarn forms a tangle, a hand (live action) reaches out and points to the middle. Three light green paper triangles point to the hand. The hand and the yarn move off screen, leaving only the map pieces.

A paper airplane moves across the screen, dragging a pink text box. On the box, canada.ca/iec is written in black. The map pieces wiggle.

Narrator: For example, it contains details on how to apply, the type of work permits available in each country, and which Canada-based recognized organizations can help you work and travel internationally through IEC.

In live action, a man and woman stand under leafy trees on a city street, near a tan brick building. Each has a suitcase, but only the handles appear in the clip. They are both looking down at a cell phone.

Against a blue and orange background with multicoloured spots, a man with an earring, wearing an orange sweater, taps his finger on a cell phone. A green animated box with black text emerges from the phone: “How to Apply.”

A man in a white T-shirt sits at a laptop. An orange box pops up from the computer, with black text: “Type of Work Permit.”

A woman in a white long-sleeved shirt and jeans lies on a living room floor, with her head propped on a pillow and a carpet underneath her. She is holding up a tablet, from which three boxes appear, with black text and blue, red and pink backgrounds: “Canadian-based,” “Recognized,” “Organizations.”

On a hazy day, a worker in a black jacket with neon green trim, wearing a grey beanie, touches a silver electrical box. The worker is carrying a tablet and stands in a patch of low green bushes. A silver pole rises through the haze nearby.

A yellow retro van is parked near a hill covered in shrubbery. The van’s doors are open. Inside, a woman sits on the floor, wearing white shorts and a jean jacket. The woman is using a laptop. A yellow-and-green surfboard is on top of the van.

Narrator: In a nutshell, what we do is quite simple:

The words “in a nutshell” appear in a light yellow animated box at the centre of the screen. The shapes from the previous animations appear in boxes surrounding the centre, with backgrounds of green, pink, purple and blue. The shapes turn and wiggle inside the boxes. The centre box with the text disappears.

The animated workers from the previous segments appear in some of the boxes. The person with long, straight hair holds up a camera. The person in blue and white stands next to suitcases, holding a passport and leaning on a globe, as an airplane flies overhead. The barista with dark hair holds a map. They are standing next to a friend, who wears a wide-brimmed hat and looks off to the side. The scientist with curly hair smiles, waving a passport and leaning on a suitcase handle.

Narrator: We pave the way for new experiences.

In live action, two people, one wearing ripped jeans and the other in shorts and a two-toned black sweater, skateboard quickly down a city alley.

A person in swim trunks flies off a rope swing into a calm body of water, surrounded by a forest.

Text displays, centred in white: “New experiences.”

Narrator: We offer opportunities to travel while working.

A man carrying a beige tote bag walks into an apartment, overlooking low cream-coloured buildings. He is wearing a navy blue button-up shirt, left unbuttoned over a black T-shirt. He sets his bag down and sits on a white couch, placing his laptop on the coffee table and opening it.

Text displays, centred in white: “Travel while working.”

The man sits in front of the laptop and begins to type.

Narrator: International Experience Canada:

Text displays, centred in white on a plain purple background: “International Experience Canada”

Narrator: Write your own story.

A woman in a grey sweater, who has a short ponytail, sits on a dune of grass next to a muddy beach. She writes in a small notebook.

Text displays, centred in white: “Write your own story.”

Text displays centred in white, on a plain green background: “Learn more at Canada.ca/iec”

The sound of flowing water can be heard.

Against a white background, text appears in black – “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,” and “Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada.” A small Canadian flag sits to the left.

The “Canada” wordmark appears in black on a white background, with a small animated flag waving over the final “a.” The opening notes of “O Canada” play.