General

Q: How does the AIESEC's exchange program differ from other going abroad programs?
A: The biggest differention points is that AIESEC focuses on leadership development of its exchange participants as the method of creating long term impact on the world. Your leadership development will be facilitated through using our Leadership Development Model.

Throughout the program, you will also meet and connect with AIESECers from around the world, participate in local AIESEC conferences (if they are available), and develop yourself through challenges you face during your internship. As our program is aimed at personal development through connecting with communities and AIESEC chapters abroad, you will get a unique experience with exchange participants who come from all around the world.

Q: What does the program offer?
A: AIESEC's exchange programs offers an intense cultural and leadership development experience. AIESEC in your home country prepares you for the internship, while the AIESEC chapter in the receiving country coordinates your specific job description, helps you apply for visa, work permit and organises your accommodation. In addition, the local AIESECers will take care of you when you arrive, introduce and familiarise you with their culture, and organise events where you can get to know other exchange participants.

Q: Where can I go on exchange?
A: Opportunities exist in many different countries. However, we will recommend countries and internships that have previously provided quality experiences for our past exchange participants and projects aligned with Australian issues. These countries include Indonesia, Taiwan, Bahrain and many more. Conversely, there are several countries we do NOT recommend for your own safety and due to visa complications.

Q: When can I go on exchange?
A: Opportunities are available throughout the calender but most Australians prefer to go during the winter and summer semester breaks (minimal 6 weeks). Each internship has a different start date but they usually start in either June, July, November, December or January.

Q: What projects or internships are available?
A: You can browse and apply for projects or internships on the Opportunity Portal. Here you will can find opportunities best sioted to you. If you want more guidance on recommended projects, feel free 

 

Q: I'm not a university student, can I still go on exchange?

A: Yes! As long as you are aged between 18-30 years, you are legible to undergo an AIESEC exchange. Most of our local AIESEC chapters are currently established at universities and you will be allocated to the closest chapter as an exchange participant.

 

Q: I'm currently studying, can I go on a Global Talent?

A: Global Talent is a highly competitive program in which other candidates from around the world may apply for the same position. Given that Global Talent internships generally require expertise in an area and availability for 3-6 months, we recommend the program to final year students instead. 

 

Money matters

Q: What are the costs associated with AIESEC's exchange program?
A: Once you are accepted into the program, you will need to pay $950 for Global Citizen or $1250 for Global Talent (payable online) which covers the program fee. The other costs include airfare, visa, living costs for your internship and other miscellaneous items (see: How much will the trip cost overall?).

Q: When do I have to pay the administration fee of $950/ $1200?
A: You will receive notification to pay online once you have accepted your project offer.

Q: Will I be charged an application fee if I apply on Opportunity and am not accepted?
A: No, applications for AIESEC's exchange program are free of charge. However, accept your project offer only if you intend to go as the process is something you will need to commit to. You will only be charged the fee in the case that you’re accepted into the program.

Q: Where does the program fee go?
A: AIESEC is a social enterprise, meaning that we are run like a for profit organisation but for social causes. This model allows us to create more sustained impact. The program fee is wholly invested into marketing, servicing and operations in the Sending Entity so we can continue to do more and better quality exchanges. The list of benefits can be found here. 

Q: Are internships paid or unpaid?
A: Global Talent internships are paid internships, while Global Citizen and Global Entreprenuers placements are generally unpaid.

Q: Will AIESEC cover my airfare?
A: No, AIESEC does not cover airfare so it is recommended that you research the costs whilst you are being matched to an internship.

Q: Does AIESEC cover on-site accommodation?
A: It is the responsibility of AIESEC to arrange accommodation for every exchange participant. Home stay, apartment, and whether or not the EP has to pay for housing depends on the specific internship. Our recommended projects often include accommodation.

Q: How much will the trip cost overall?
A: There are many factors that go into overall cost including international health insurance, visa, vaccinations (if necessary), airfare, cost of living in your host country, and many other things. For this reason it is hard to ball park a general figure; we recommend that you attend an information session or consultancy chat to interact and ask past exchange participants regarding their costs. As a very rough estimate, South East Asian countries can cost around $2000-$3000, East Asia and the Middle East around $3000 - $4000 and Central Eastern Europe and South America $4000 - $5000.

 

Other

Q: Does AIESEC provide study abroad opportunities?
A: No, only voluntary work and working internships abroad, which are not academic in nature.

Q: Does AIESEC provide domestic internship opportunities (in Australia)?
A: No, we aim to provide you with a fulfilling cultural experience overseas.

Q: I’m from abroad but studying in Australia. Can I participate in the Exchange Program with AIESEC?
A: Yes. The only restriction imposed by AIESEC is that foreign nationals can’t go on internships to the country in which they have citizenship, as it would not classify as a cultural exchange.

Q: Can I go on exchange back to my home country?
A: No, you are not allowed to go on exchange to anywhere where you have stayed for over a year.

Q: Who will help me when I arrive in my host country?
A: All AIESEC internships are connected to a local chapter of AIESEC in your host country whose purpose is to help you during your internship. More concretely, the members of your host local chapter will organise your accommodation, pick you up from the airport (or give you directions and the address of your accommodation), and accompany you to work on your first day. In addition, they will integrate you into their activities, organise events for you and the other interns and help you get to know the people and culture of their own country. If there should be any problems, they will also be your local lifeline for help. Your local AIESEC chapter will also do everything possible to repeatedly keep in contact with and support you during your internship.

Q: Does AIESEC have a language requirement? 
A: Do I need to be fluent in X to go to an X-speaking country?  English is the international language of AIESEC. AIESEC members across the world will speak English, and the English language is the basis of a large number of AIESEC internships. Because of this, proficiency in English is required to be eligible to go on most any AIESEC internship. In Central and South America the majority of internships require proficiency in Spanish. Additional language ability is an added bonus for multi-lingual applicants.

 

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