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Volunteer abroad with AIESEC’s Global Citizen program that connects students and recent graduates to voluntary projects across the world. This process is entirely student-operated with AIESEC members working to produce the best quality exchanges possible. Our goal is to send 2000 more young people in the United States on programs that will develop local communities and global mindsets by the end of 2015. Each project lasts between 6 and 12 weeks and is exclusively available for those that utilize AIESEC’s services.

The Issues

In AIESEC, our mission is to create peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential. We believe that the Global Citizen program can create this impact by focusing on issues affecting local communities. We’ve divided our projects into these three issues for young people to volunteer abroad in:

AIESEC provides exchange participants with opportunities to develop professional skills in new cultural settings. Our volunteers gain hands-on experience working with NGOs and small businesses in communities to develop relevant and culturally suitable solutions to local problems. Projects surrounding this issue may be in the fields of marketing, microfinance, NGO management, social business, or organizational development.

Social Entreprenuership

Environmental Awareness

Protecting the environment is a major part of the global development agenda and exchange participants can directly impact communities struggling with moving towards becoming a little bit greener. Promote and participate in sustainable development projects regarding energy conservation, pollution, climate change, flora and fauna conservation, recycling, and waste management.

Youth Empowerment

Over 45 % of the world’s population is under 25 years old. AIESEC allows exchange participants to engage in the development of youth in communities where education and access to literacy is uncommon. While there, volunteers are immersed in the local culture, gaining and offering a global perspective to local communities. Projects in youth empowerment are literacy, social work, youth education, or cross-cultural awareness.

Where Can I Volunteer Abroad?

AIESEC is present in 125 countries and we focus on creating volunteer opportunities in developing and less economically developed countries. Because of this, there are almost no volunteer projects available in regions such as western Europe. If you’re searching for a program that will let you work for 6 weeks in Paris or London, the Global Citizen program is not for you. AIESEC in the United States has special partnerships with the following countries and territories to create the most impact with American youth:

Bahrain

 

Czech Republic

 

Poland

 

Taiwan

 

Romania

Malaysia

 

China

 

Hungary

 

Mauritius

 

Peru

Argentina

 

Brazil

 

Turkey

 

Indonesia

 

Thailand

 

We are, of course, happy to work with students and recent graduates interested in volunteering in countries not listed above, though the matching process has a lower chance of success. Have questions on where you can go with AIESEC?

Email vpogcdp-newyorkcity@aiesecus.org.

Process & Pricing

Eligibility

AIESEC’s programs are for youth, by youth. This means that we rely on volunteers (Global Leaders) to help us send youth abroad. There are some eligibility requirements for students that wish to partake in Global Citizen or Global Talent.

  • You must be a student or recent graduate (within the past 2 years) of an accredited University based in the United States. We do not accept applications from young people outside of the United States, but can refer you to our global channel, aiesec.org.

  • You may be an international student residing in the United States.

  • You must possess a passport or commit to obtaining one before your matching process ends.

  • You should have excellent or native English skills.

  • You must be able to cover the cost of airfare, visa, and other incidentals. AIESEC does not offer scholarships for these costs.

How It Works

Apply to be an official AIESEC Exchange Participant. When applying, you should specify the local committee of AIESEC nearest to you and they’ll be in touch – usually within 3 business days – to discuss the specifics of the program.

If accepted, you’ll be able to access our private and secure internal platform where an Exchange Participant manager will help you connect to a project from one of our thousands of partner organizations. These projects  are exclusively available to students and recent graduates that are accepted into AIESEC’s Global Citizen program.

Your Exchange Participant manager will help you find a project that you’re qualified for and interested in. Different opportunities have different requirements for language proficiency, skillset, and country of origin. If you have applied to and been accepted to a specific project, you can choose to accept the offer and be “matched” to that project. Once you have accepted the binding offer, however, you cannot break the match.

Once you’ve touched down at your final destination, your experience can begin as you discover the local community and yourself with the help of AIESEC members there to offer support and resources. Wherever your journey takes you, AIESEC is dedicated to providing high-quality experiences.

Pricing

Deposit Fee: $150

After being accepted into the Global Citizen program as an official Exchange Participant, there is a $150 deposit fee. Upon paying this fee, you will be able to apply to different voluteer internships. A member of AIESEC at your university will be assigned to assist you in searching through our 124 country and territory network for the perfect experience for you – the right timeline, the right location, and the right issue.

 

Match Fee: $350

Once a contract has been signed between the Exchange Participant and the organization hosting the Global Citizen program, the Match Fee of $350 is charged to the Exchange Participant. Your AIESEC experience is about to begin! From this point, AIESEC members at your university will help you prepare for your exchange, and provide you with an Outgoing Preparation Seminar. The seminar helps prepare participants for living and working abroad, culture shock, health and safety, and their rights and responsibilities as an Exchange Participant. AIESEC members from your university will also coordinate with both you and your host AIESEC committee for support with arrival logistics and any legal paperwork that may be required (such as visas).

 

This brings the total fee (registration fee + match fee) to $500 for a Global Citizen program.

"What AIESEC can offer that other [abroad programs] can’t is not the job description, but the AIESEC experience–the people you meet, the situation you’re put in, and the way you guys work with each other. It’s really the people and the environment put together that make the AIESEC experience. That’s what made me really want it again."

 

- James Wong

Romania, Winter '13-'14

Czech Republic, Summer '14

"Volunteering in China allowed me to truly understand the values and customs of Chinese people. Not only did I gain alot, AIESEC gave me a chance to actively contribute to the local community I was working in! "

 

- Jason Wu

Russia, Summer '13

China, Summer '14

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