AIESEC is an international nonprofit organization that provides young people with leadership
opportunities to develop themselves into global leaders with an urge to make a difference
in society.
AIESEC was originally a French acronym for Association internationale des étudiants
en sciences économiques et commerciales.
However, the full name is no longer in use.
Members come from a variety of college majors, not necessarily from an area related to economic
or commercial sciences.
As of January 2014, the AIESEC network includes over 100,000 members in 124 countries and
territories.
It is the largest student-run organization in the world.
AIESEC's international headquarters is in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
History
The idea behind AIESEC started in the 1938, when representatives from schools across Europe
exchanged information about various programs and schools that specialized in business and
economics.
Students were carrying out internships in other countries, but mostly on their own initiative,
and it all came to a standstill with the onslaught of World War II.
In 1944, though, the neutral Scandinavian countries were still exchanging students.
In Stockholm, Bertil Hedberg, an official at the Stockholm School of Economics, and
students Jaroslav Zich, Jean Choplin and Stanislas Callens founded AIESE.
This was the predecessor of AIESEC, which was officially founded in 1948.
At the time, the organization's stated mission was “to expand the understanding of a nation
by expanding the understanding of the individuals, changing the world one person at a time.”
In 1949, 89 students participated in the so-called "Stockholm Congress", the first of many exchange
programs.
U.S. involvement begins In the late 1950s, AIESEC/Europe reached out
to the United States and established contact with Yale University and Columbia Business
School.
In 1959 three students set up AIESEC chapters at Yale and Columbia, with the result that
in the summer of 1959, AIESEC/US exchanged twelve trainees.
AIESEC/US member, Morris Wolf, was chosen the first U.S. secretary general, and was
part of establishing the first permanent international office for AIESEC in Geneva, Switzerland The
following year, the first international secretary general, Victor Loewenstein, spearheaded the
expansion of the organization into South America.
There were 4,232 exchanges reported for the year in 1970.
Today AIESEC annually offers “24,000 leadership
positions and delivers over 500 conferences to [its] membership of over 90,000 students".
It is present in over 2,400 universities across the globe.
AIESEC runs an international exchange program that enables over 20,000 students and recent
graduates the opportunity to live and intern in another country.”
AIESEC is supported by over 8,000 partner organizations.
Organization ideals and programs The 6 values which every member in AIESEC
follow, are: Striving for excellence
Demonstrating integrity Activating leadership
Acting sustainably Enjoying participation
Living diversity For students
AIESEC provides a platform for students in different universities and colleges, by going
on an international internship and/or by joining various local chapters.
These young individuals can develop their leadership potential by working and leading
teams.
Associate membership opportunities allow the students to work with various NGO partners
of AIESEC, and represent their college as a part of campus ambassador program.
Each year over members have an opportunity to live and work in a foreign country.
Participants can choose to work in areas of management, technology, education, or development;
helping to build one’s corporate skills.
Growth The AIESEC organization is found worldwide.
Countries listed as "Official Extensions" of AIESEC, as of August 2011, include:
AIESEC conferences
AIESEC committees host a number of conferences every year that range in length and demographic
scope.
The purpose of conferences are to bring the international community of AIESEC members
together to enhance their professional skills, provide networking opportunities, and work
on organizational strategy.
Each year, AIESEC organizes an estimated 500 conferences world wide.
Topics of interest the organization focuses on include: International Trade, Management
Education, Sustainable development, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Corporate Social Responsibility.
In the 1990s, the organization's "Insight Intranet" was established to facilitate networking.
National and regional conferences National conferences are hosted bi-annually
by each member country.
During these conferences, local committee membership statuses are decided and elections
for national level leadership are held.
There are seven AIESEC regions which hold annual conferences:
International Conferences International conferences are attended by
leadership body in the AIESEC network.
International Conferences are hosted by a different country each year.
AIESEC international internships Global Internship Program
The Global Internship Program is an AIESEC program which offers paid management and technical
internships.
They are normally long term in nature and involve working on diverse business projects
and in different organizations.
The internships duration is 6 weeks to 18 months.
The intern receives a stipend which covers living costs.
Airfare to and from the destination is not included.
There are three types of internships: Management; related to administration, finance,
accounting, marketing, project management and HR
Technical; related to management and development in web, software, IT networks and databases,
plus some engineering Education; related to promotion, curriculum
development, teaching, and counseling in the education sector
Global Community Development Program The Global Community Development Program is
an AIESEC program which offers voluntary internships.
They are usually short term in nature and involve working on diverse community projects
and in different organizations.
Projects include teaching, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, working in human rights, environmental
sustainability, leadership development and more.
Types of Internships This student internship is suggested for students
according to their interests in world issues.
The duration is 6 weeks to 18 months, with accommodations usually provided.
Students must make their own way to the host locations.
Each year, over 20,000 students take the opportunity to live and work in another country.
References
See also IAESTE
External links AIESEC International Organization