OUR STORY

It all began with a mother's determination. In 1998, Elisabeth, not just any Parisian mother but one with a vision for her daughter Vinciane, decided to reshape the concept of cultural exchange. Discontent with the existing impersonal options, she envisioned a program that was as much about forging lasting bonds as it was about mastering a language.

Her vision led her to collaborate with Ben Dinning, a Melbourne-based Francophile and our family friend, who was deeply influenced by his time in France during his school days at Melbourne Grammar. Together, they pioneered a reciprocal exchange program uniquely tailored to the personalities and preferences of each participant and their families.

The heart of this new venture began to beat when Vinciane spent a transformative couple of months at St. Catherine's School in Toorak.

OUR TEAM

"It takes a village..." and in our case, it's a team effort spanning dozens of dedicated members across France and Australia. However, allow us to introduce you to the first team members you'll encounter as you embark on this journey.

Vinciane Thomas
General Manager

Born and raised in France, Vinciane took the helm of AFX in 2006. But her journey with FX started in 1998, as AFX very first exchange student, a transformative experience at St Catherine’s School in Toorak that deepened her connection to Australia. This inspired her to further her education in Australia, where she earned a Master's degree from Monash University, following her Law Degree in France.
Now embracing her Franco-Australian identity, married to an Australian and raising two binational children, Vinciane's leadership at AFX is driven by her belief in the power of a Franco-Australian team. She is convinced that such a team is uniquely equipped to guide families through the complex world of cultural exchange, leveraging her personal and professional experiences to ensure the success of AFX's mission.

Laura Bret
Program Manager

Laura's passion for travel and languages flourished early on, leading her to participate in student exchange programs in the United States and Canada. After years in the Design industry in Paris, she moved to Australia in 2017. Now based in Perth with her French-Australian family, Laura brings extensive cross-cultural experience to her role as Program Manager at AFX Student Exchange. She oversees teams in both Australia and France, ensuring seamless coordination and enriching experiences for students. With a personal background that reflects the essence of international exchange, Laura is dedicated to bridging cultural gaps and fostering meaningful global connections. Her expertise and leadership help create transformative journeys for students, making her an invaluable part of the AFX team.

Jess Henskens
School Liaison Officer and Partnerships Coordinator

Jess’ connection to AFX goes back a long way. She participated in an AFX exchange back in 2008; she ended up in the quaint village of Azay-le-Rideau with a family who immediately made her feel like one of their own. She kept studying French and met her future husband while doing a semester abroad in Lyon. She worked as a French teacher in secondary schools in both Melbourne and France. Now with two young children, she is thrilled to be working for AFX so she can work with Australian schools and help other students who are passionate about language and culture to begin their own journeys between France and Australia.

Melissa Bac
Enrolment Officer

Born on the picturesque island of Mauritius, where fluency in French and English is a shared legacy, Melissa has always held a special affinity for Australia, particularly Sydney, where part of her family resides. With her professional journey beginning as a Copywriter & Journalist, Melissa chose to delve deeper into her passion for languages by teaching English and French in schools for special needs students. This path not only sharpened her linguistic talents but also equipped her with a profound appreciation for tailored educational methods. Melissa's role is crucial in ensuring that families and students setting out on their student exchange adventure feel thoroughly supported and confidently ready for the enriching experiences that await.

Sarah Swick
Conseillère en Séjours Linguistiques

Passionnée par les langues étrangères et les voyages, Sarah a posé ses valises à Melbourne en 2012, où elle a enseigné le français à l’Alliance Française. Elle connaît donc très bien notre public de jeunes Australiens rêvant de découvrir la France. Aujourd’hui installée à Biarritz, elle donne des cours de français en ligne, principalement à un public australien. Cette activité lui permet de transmettre sa passion pour les échanges culturels tout en maintenant un lien fort avec l’Australie. Au sein d’AFX, Sarah est Conseillère en Séjours Linguistiques. Elle joue un rôle clé dans la préparation des familles d’accueil françaises : elle mène des entretiens personnalisés afin de mieux connaître chaque foyer, répondre à leurs questions et garantir une expérience d’accueil réussie, humaine et enrichissante pour tous.

Juliette Welche
Apprentice in Communication and Community Management

Juliette joins AFX Student Exchange as a Communication and Community Management apprentice. After obtaining her BTS in International Commerce, she brings her passion for languages and cultural exchanges to the creation of visuals and content, as well as managing social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn...) to promote and raise awareness of immersion programs between France and Australia.

Karla Dorange
Language Travel Advisor

Karla is 20 years old. Passionate about languages, travel, and meeting new people, she is committed to contributing to language exchange programs that create unforgettable memories and foster lasting connections between cultures.

Lisa Ornetti
Marketing and Digital Communication Assistant

After taking part in two short academic exchanges in Germany and the United States during her middle and high school years, Lisa quickly developed a passion for cultural diversity. In 2023, after earning a degree in Communication and driven by her growing interest in English-speaking countries, she moved back to the United States for a year. This experience further strengthened her desire to promote intercultural exchange. Convinced of the many benefits of language immersion programs, Lisa joined the AFX Student Exchange team in 2025 as a Marketing and Digital Communication Assistant, eager to help promote international experiences.

Philomène Pierrard
Program Coordinator

Driven by a deep passion for language and culture, Philo arrived in Melbourne in mid-July to begin a Master’s in Engineering Management at the University of Melbourne. Her international outlook and enthusiasm for meaningful cross-cultural experiences made joining the AFX team a natural step — especially since her own family has a history with AFX, with her older sister having taken part in the AFX reciprocal program as a high school student. Philo’s own exchange experiences include time in Ireland and, most memorably, in the United States, where she lived with a warm and welcoming host family with whom she still maintains close ties. These experiences helped her understand what it’s like to take part in a cultural exchange — how exciting, challenging, and rewarding it can be. At AFX, she enjoys supporting students as they prepare for their own adventures abroad.

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