International internships

AIESEC offers around 8,500 international internships around the world yearly. Our internships are part of complex development program and their aims are mainly personal and professional development.

In this section you’ll find all needed information about our Exchange Programme:

• General information
• Types of internships
• Process
• FAQ

General information

Types of internships

Process

There are only 6 steps that need to be completed to go on an internship with AIESEC. Every single step is an important contribution to making your experience unforgettable. If you have more questions about the Exchange process, look at our FAQ or ask us personally.

	1st Step: Contact with AIESEC To go on an internship you have to get in contact with the AIESEC committee at your university. We suggest everyone to participate in the meetings and work in a team of the committee. However, it is up to you to decide how much time you want to invest.
	2nd Step: The Interview If you want to go on an internship you have to pass an interview, called the "Student Review Board" (SRB). In the Interview we test your motivation, expectations and skills to go on an internship. The interview takes place in English.
	3rd Step: Attend a preparation Seminar Before you leave for your internship, you have to attend an "Exchange Preparation Seminar“(XPS) where you will be prepared to live in a different culture and get some tips and tricks on how to find the most suitable internship. This Seminar lasts for one day and usually takes place on a weekend.
	4th Step: Find your internship of choice If you pass the interview, you will have access to our online database. This allows you to search for internships of your choice and directly apply for them. It might also possible that a company contacts you directly for their open internship. Generally, you need about one month to find your internship. However, the more flexible you are, the easier you will find an internship.
	5th Step: The Internship The AIESEC committee in your destination organizes you an apartment as well as all the necessary documents such as the work-permit. They also help you during the first few days when you arrive at your destination and introduce you to the members as well as other Interns.
	6th Step: Return AIESEC also supports you after your internship. We give you the opportunity to reflect on your internship and share your experience with others and inspire them to go on an internship as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AIESEC internship?

An AIESEC internship is a practical working and learning experience for the intern to develop academic knowledge and professional skills. Every internship should aim to provide the Intern with the following:

1. A positive learning experience
2. Practical skills and knowledge in a foreign environment to complement the Intern’s higher educational background or field of career aspirations;
3. Interaction with a different social and cultural environment with a view to gaining intercultural competencies;
4. Development of theoretical and practical leadership skills;
5. Opportunity to apply personal and professional skills, knowledge, attitudes and values to work for the organization as well as the host communities;
6. Develop awareness and knowledge of social issues and different practices of the sending and hosting country;
7. Opportunity to contribute to personal and professional life goals.
8. Opportunity to work with organizations outside of AIESEC.

The internship cannot aim to:

1. Solely provide an opportunity for the intern to earn money;
2. Provide a holiday;
3. Act as a permanent career placement or recruitment opportunity in the Host Country. If the organization decides to extend the internship on a permanent basis, AIESEC will have no role in facilitating this.

What is a duration of AIESEC internships?

From 6 to 72 weeks. You're defining your prefences.

When can I go for internship?

Internships are available during whole year. You are deciding when and for how long do you want to go. It is tough recommended to apply for internship to AIESEC when you want to leave within next 6 months.

Where can I go for internship?

AIESEC is present in 107 countries. Detailed number of internships which are available you can see in description of particular types of internship, as there are different regional trends.

How many internships can I take part in?

Number of internships depend on you. You may participate in the internship program up to a maximum period of 36 months abroad (e.g. 12x6-weeks internships, 2x72-weeks internships)

There is no AIESEC office in my city. Can I still apply for internship?

Yes. In this case contact directly national team. After looking through your case, next steps will be define.

I go through description of all types of internships but can’t find ones which are suitable for my academic background. What can I do with that?

In this case contact directly national team. After looking through your case, we can see if there’s possibility for you to go for internship.

Do I need to know foreign languages?

Yes. Excellent English is required from all of our interns. We don’t need any certificates, but communication has to be smoothly. Additionally some particular internships’ offers might require more languages.

Will I be paid on AIESEC internships?

Depends. You can be paid normal salary (each country has defined minimum salary, so that you could effort normal living condition – accommodation, transportation, food). You can have also smaller wages and additional benefits e.g. flat. Some internships are not paid at all but accommodation and food should be provided. More details you’ll find in particular types of internship description.

Who can apply?

• Students
• Graduate at the latest two (2) years after obtaining a degree
• Not older than 30 years old

How can I apply?

Recruitment process might vary from one to another local office (so called Local Committee). In general it consists of:

• Application form (Student Resume and CV in English)
• Student Review Board – which is interview during which we’re checking your competencies and preferences concerning the internship

What is the procedure of going for internship?

After being selected for exchange program following steps need to be taken in order to go for internship:

• Sign the contract and pay the fee
• Sign up to database and fill in own profile (consists of your work experience, academic background, skills and internship preferences – duration, region of the work)
• Search for internship
• Apply for this which interest you
• Selection procedure – varies from company to company, usually phone interview
• Acceptance from company 
• Going for internship

Each exchange participant needs also to take part in:

• AIESEC induction – session about the organization, its’ origins and activities
• Exchange Preparation Seminar – 1-day meeting aims to prepare for internship in four (4) different aspects:
  • AIESEC preparation
  • Professional preparation
  • Cultural preparation
  • Logistics preparation

How can AIESEC support me?

AIESEC in your country is responsible for:

• Providing you all needed trainings and sessions (AIESEC Induction, Exchange Preparation Seminar, database usage, quality policies and standards)
• Supporting you in searching for the internship

AIESEC office in the country you’re going to is responsible for:

• Helping you with visa and work permit procedures
• Finding you an accommodation
• The introduction to the company when starting internship

Do I need to be active in AIESEC to go for internship?

This depends on Local Committee. In most cases there’s no obligation, nevertheless we highly recommend you to be involved, as this gives you much better understanding of the organization, including database trends, internal procedures, other opportunities.

What else can I do in AIESEC?

AIESEC provides its members with an integrated development experience comprised of leadership opportunities, international internships and participation in a global learning environment. You can find more information in other sides of Student section:

• Leadership opportunities
• Global Learning Environment
• Career Days

The best way to check concrete opportunities is to ask your Local Committee, as different projects and teams are working in different time of the year and, again, vary from one place to another.