INTERNATIONALF FUTBOLX X-CHANGE INTERNATIONAL SOCCER IMMERSION PROGRAMS PLAY SOCCER OVERSEAS YEAR LONG PROGRAMS, INTERNATIONAL SOCCER CAMPS, TEAM TOURS, & MORE www.ifxsoccer.com Live your dream! Play soccer internationally! Welcome from IFX President Michael Carlson The International Fútbol X-Change is a culmination of my own experience playing overseas many years ago in Germany. As a young man dreaming of playing professionally, I embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Freiburg, Germany, where I ultimately played with a local semi-professional club while studying abroad. My experience was life-changing in all aspects. I grew tremendously not only on the pitch but also off of the pitch. During my 8 months in Germany, I improved more than I had over the course of several years back in the U.S. Off the pitch, my life was a continuous adventure. I traveled throughout Germany, met players and people from around the IFX President Michael Carlson globe, and improved my German language skills to eventually become fluent. I will cherish the memories I have of playing in Germany for the rest of my life and am so glad that I followed my dreams. I invite everyone to read through our IFX catalog where you may find an opportunity or experience that fits into your own dreams. Mike Carlson The International Fútbol X-Change is a premier international soccer organization providing total immersion programs to soccer players from around the world. Since 2003, we have sent hundreds of players to experience soccer and life in a variety of international destinations. Our expertise in managing the complex demands and issues surrounding playing and living overseas, enables players to hit the ground running and focus on their game and new life in an exciting new world. We offer over 20 unique soccer programs in 6 different countries, varying from one week international soccer camps with Europe's most renowned clubs, to full season/academic year programs. TABLE OF CONTENTS YOUTH YEAR INTERNATIONAL FUTBOL X-CHANGE (Ages 14-18 Boys/Girls) Germany Program Overview.......................................................4 Germany Testimonial..................................................................5 Spain Program Overview.............................................................6 Spain Testimonial........................................................................7 Brazil Program Overview.............................................................8 England Program Overview.........................................................9 PRO YEAR INTERNATIONAL FUTBOL X-CHANGE (Ages 18+ Men/Women) Germany Program Overview......................................................10 Germany Testimonial.................................................................11 Spain Program Overview............................................................12 PRO IFX 30 DAY PROGRAMS (Ages 18+ Men only) Brazil Program Overview............................................................13 Germany Program Overview......................................................14 Germany Testimonial.................................................................15 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH RESIDENTIAL SUMMER CAMPS IFX Germany Youth Summer Program.......................................16 Germany Youth Summer Testimonial.........................................17 INTERNATIONAL TEAM TOURS International Team Tours Overview...........................................18 APPLICATION INFORMATION How to apply and application request form..............................19 Youth Year IFX Germany Full Season Half Season - Fall or Spring GERMANY PROGRAM OVERVIEW Situated in the heart of Europe, Germany's diversity IFX players are placed within a competitive German astounds the visitor. Live in Germany and discover soccer club fit to their level. Players are placed within medieval castles, charming villages, crystal-clear lakes a challenging football environment that allows and snow-capped mountains, the mystical Black tremendous opportunity for development, while Forest, pagan-inspired harvest festivals and of course keeping in mind their physical strength and technical the world-famous Oktoberfest. Learn about German foundation. history, politics, language, and culture through interaction with your host family, friends, and locals. ACADEMICS The German school system is divided into three types Students who choose a full season or a half season in of schools that prepare students toward a vocational Germany will live with a host family, attend a local or academic future. IFX students will attend what is public high school, and play with a competitive called the Gymnasium, a nine-year secondary school German soccer club. that provides a comprehensive general education for students who wish to continue their studies at the SOCCER CLUB PLACEMENT university level. Roughly 30% of German students Germany has consistently developed some of the top attend the Gymnasium schools. young talent throughout the world due to their knowledge and passion for the sport. With many School subjects include language, literature and art, clubs well over 100 years old, the expertise in the social sciences, mathematics, science, and German coaching and club management provides technology. Students are required to take classes in youth unlimited opportunity for growth and player each of these categories. development. Germany's youth Bundesligas, Regionaligas, and Oberligas (top 3 national youth leagues) are comprised of Germany's top youth Full Season (August - July) talent, many of whom will enjoy a professional career Dates: Half Season - Fall (August - January) in the future. Amateur and professional clubs alike all Half Season - Spring ( January - June) field their own youth teams, using their facilities and Housing: Family Homestay resources to mold their youth players to be units of their own professional team someday. Their is no Academics: Local High School doubt that the German clubs now realize that their most valuable asset is their youth. Club: All levels Age: 15-19 4 Youth Year IFX Germany Testimonial Zachary Shiposh Hometown: Clarks Summit, PA Former Club: FC Delco German Club: FT Braunschweig Freie Turner Braunschweig League: U-19 Niedersachsenliga Braunschweig, Germany - 2010-11 Braunschweig is a city of 247,400 people located in pushed myself back in the U.S. Our league, the the German state Lower Saxony. It is located north of Niedersachsenliga, is comprised of teams from cities the Harz Mountains. Although it's a large city about and towns all over the Lower Saxony or northwestern two hours from Berlin, it is extremely clean, has both region of Germany such as Verden, Bückeburg, modern buildings and historic castles, and it feels Garbsen, Lüneburg, and Hildesheim among others. very much like my home - Northeastern We travel throughout the state and every town is full Pennsylvania - surrounded by green and mountains. of boys my age just as good as me or better. I'm When I first got to Braunschweig I trialed with the U19 men's team for the city's highest level professional club, Eintracht Braunschweig. Eintracht's youth team plays in the 2nd division of German soccer. After several weeks on trial, I received word that the club was not going to sign me. The following Monday I trialed with another semi- professional club's U19 team, Freie Turnerschaft Braunschweig. Their semi-pro team is in the 5th division of German soccer, but the U19 team is playing in the Niedersachsenliga - 3rd highest of the eight German youth soccer divisions, so the Shiposh 2nd from left at summer training camp challenge and quality of play was still excellent. Freie Turner picked me up after the first week and then getting tested and pushed every game and it's exactly began the submission of my player pass and what's going to make me a better player. international transfer certificate with the Deutscher Fussball Bund (German Soccer Federation). School & Host Family After a several weeks of breaking into the team, I was I go to school at the local high school and have made promoted to the starting attacking center midfielder many friends. School is challenging but my host for Freie Turner and playing full ninety minute games. teachers and host family are very supportive and At any given time, there were players trialing for a have helped me along the way. I have become spot with Freie Turner's U19's so I knew my spot was extremely close with my host family - they treat me never secure and that was always in the back of my as if I were their own son. I am very happy here in mind at every practice and game. That 'fear' of losing Germany, and am truly fortunate to have had this the chance to play pushed me harder than I ever opportunity of a lifetime to pursue my dreams. 5 Youth Year IFX Spain Full Season Half Season - Fall or Spring SPAIN PROGRAM OVERVIEW ... Moorish palaces, Dali, La Liga. All synonymous with IFX players are placed within a competitive Spanish the energetic, diverse and stylish country that is soccer club fit to their level. Players are placed within Spain. A year playing soccer in Spain is one you won't a challenging environment that will foster forget. development, while keeping in mind their physical strength and technical foundation. Lying on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe bordering Portugal and France, Spain is home ACADEMICS to 39.2 million people. See a fiesta, soak in the Mediterranean sun… Spain will charm you time and For full season and half season programs, students again. will attend