Here, you can check the answers to questions we frequently are asked about concerning AIESEC Exchange and Internships. Of course, we make ourselves available for any further questions that might concern you.

The Questions

How does AIESEC differ from other providers of internships? 

What does the AIESEC Exchange Program offer?

What does AIESEC NOT offer?

What requirements are there? Is there a selection process?

I want to become a member of AIESEC. How long do I have to be a member before I am allowed to do an internship?

What types of internships does AIESEC offer?

Where in the world does AIESEC offer internships?

Will I receive a salary during my internship?

How much do I have to pay for such an internship?

Do I receive a refund if I cannot find a suitable internship?

What kind of contract will I have to sign?

What is the Interview?

What are the outgoing exchange preparation materials (materials you receive to prepare you for the internship)?

Why do I need these outgoing exchange preparation materials?

Who will help me in my host country?

The Answers 

How does AIESEC differ from other providers of internships?

AIESEC does not define itself as provider of internships only. Rather, AIESEC offers you many different opportunities to explore and develop your potential. Although an internship abroad is an essential part of the experience you can gain in AIESEC, it is closely linked to other experiences rather than separated from them.

What does the AIESEC Exchange Program offer?

The AIESEC Exchange Program offers you the possibility to have an intense cultural experience in one of its 110 member-countries. Concretely, AIESEC in your home country prepares you for the internship, while the section in the host country helps you apply for visa and work permit and organizes your accommodation. In addition, they take care of you as soon as you are there, make you familiar with their culture and organize events where you get to know other interns.

What does AIESEC NOT offer?

AIESEC does not provide internships like a factory sells its products. We cannot and do not want to grant you an internship in Sydney at Procter & Gamble from February 9 to August 9, if that is what you are looking for.

Although there are internships at Procter & Gamble in our internship pool, this is not what AIESEC is all about. Rather, we demand applicants to be flexible concerning place, time and job description of their future internship. AIESEC internships do help you gain professional skills but more importantly, they are an opportunity to have an intense intercultural experience.

What requirements are there? Is there a selection process?

Key Requirements:

Be a student or maximum 2 years after you finished your degree.

Younger than age 30.

Open-mindedness and interest toward other cultures.

Passed the individual interview.

Should there be a lot of applicants, AIESEC will not be able to consider every application.

University marks are not considered.

I want to become a member of AIESEC. How long do I have to be a member before I am allowed to do an internship?

In general, the longer you are member, the better, as you get to know the organization, its opportunities and tools better with every day you are a member. However, students who are only interested in going on an exchange will be raised as short-term members. This means that during the period you are looking for an internship, you will have the opportunity to engage in AIESEC Linköping, by going to conferences, trainings and parties.

What types of internships does AIESEC offer?

There are 4 types of internships

- Management Traineeship

- Technical Traineeship

- Development Traineeship

- Educational Traineeship

Where in the world does AIESEC offer internships?

Generally, Swedish students are quite welcome in most of the countries and readily employed. Of course, you will be competing with students from all over the world. Most of the internships take place in Brazil, China, India, Turkey and Eastern Europe. In these countries, finding an internship even of a short duration is very likely if you are somewhat flexible and have the necessary qualifications for the respective job. Unfortunately, there are hardly any internships available in the USA.

Management and Technical Traineeships usually take from 6 to 12 months; Development and Education Traineeships are often shorter.

Will I receive a salary during my internship?

It is usual for management, technical or education traineeships to be paid relative to the country’s GDP, this means that your salary will be enough to cover your housing and living expenses. Salaries differ very much for development traineeships. Most of the time, accommodation and food are provided while you receive, if any, only a small salary.

How much do I have to pay for such an internship?

The AIESEC exchange program fee is 5000 SEK for traineeships part of the Global Internship Program [GIP (Management, Technical and Education)] and 3500 SEK for development traineeships [part of the Global Community Development Program (GCDP)]. Other costs will be flight ticket, living expenses abroad and, if necessary, vaccinations.

Do I receive a refund if I cannot find a suitable internship?

If you are a bit flexible concerning place, time and job description, there should not be a problem in finding an interesting internship. However, if you cannot find any, the refund is 4500 SEK for traineeships in GIP and 3000 SEK for development traineeships.

What kind of contract will I have to sign?

You can find a copy of the contract here.

For more information please contact us at linkoping@aiesec.se

What is the Interview?

The interview is a process during which we want to find out whether you are suitable for our program, how you perceive foreign countries, and whether your English skills are sufficient. This is important because we guarantee certain qualities and competencies when we send students to work in our partner companies.

What are the outgoing exchange preparation materials?

The outgoing exchange preparation materials will prepare you for your internship and provide useful tips and information.

Why do I need these outgoing exchange preparation materials?

As an organization, AIESEC aims at increasing mutual understanding and tolerance globally and just not at exchanging students. During an AIESEC internship you shall live in a foreign culture and get to know it and its people intensely and also represent your home country accordingly.

The past has shown that a lot of interns have negative experiences abroad because they do not get to know people from the host country or because they cannot cope with its culture (culture shock). Most of the time, these people quit their internship early and feel like never returning to this country again. The outgoing exchange preparation materials will help you to prepare for the internship, to make friends abroad and create a feeling of never wanting to return home again. Another advantage of these materials is that you set your mind according to your future adventure.

We assure you that looking through the outgoing exchange preparation materials will be a lot of fun. Many past interns have reported that they became aware of the sense of this outgoing exchange preparation only when they have arrived in their host country.

Who will help me in my host country?

All the internships are based on a local committee nearby, which is there to help you during your internship.

More concretely, the members of this hosting local committee organize your accommodation, pick you up from the airport/station, show you around in the city and accompany you to work on your first day. In addition, they will integrate you into their activities, organize events for you and the other interns, and help you get to know the people and culture of your host country. If there should be any problems, there will always be someone to help you. We will keep in contact with you and support you in every possible way.