Bunner
Present in over 107 countries and territories and with over 60,000 members, AIESEC is the world's largest youth-run organisation. Focused on providing a platform for youth leadership development, AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to be global citizens, to change the world, and to get experience and skills that matter today
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International Internships

An international internship is the most intense learning experience that we offer as AIESEC. The focus of an international internship is not only to provide a professional experience to the individual but also to provide a more powerful learning experience, which will lead him/her to become more entrepreneurial, culturally sensitive, open minded and active learner. Each year, AIESEC Kenya provides over 150 members the challenging opportunity to live and work in a foreign country in areas of management, technology, education, and development.

"International Internship Exchange is an ideal tool to develop individuals. When a young person experiences an AIESEC international internship, his/her worldview is challenged as never before. It is not just the absence of the natural bonds with home (family, friends, culture, etc) but also the opportunity to stand by him/herself, to face the day to day challenges outside of the ‘comfort zone’, to question his/her own paradigms, and the way things are or the way things work, both at personal and professional level."

Details and logistics

  • Duration: 6 weeks to 18 months
  • Salary covers living costs except for most development internships
  • It takes between 2 - 7 months to find an internship and complete the selection processes
  • Application fee is Ksh.10,000 for Management and Technical and Ksh.5,000 for Development and Educational
  • Travel costs(Air/bus/train fare) is usually not included

1. Selection and Application

After joining and understanding AIESEC, you can enter a review process to assess your experiences and motivation for going on an AIESEC exchange. This is a physical process consisting of a selection interview and/or language tests and other steps depending on the committee one applies to and the type of internships targeted.
The selection process aims to ensure that everyone participating in an AIESEC exchange is suitable and will have a positive experience while on exchange. It is comprised of at least 1 stage:
Selection Review Board: a board that will interview you to assess your suitability to become an exchange participant in several areas. You may find additional selection requirements based on the country that you are applying from.

If you have any questions please select the committee closest to you for an AIESEC office you can contact or you can contact the National Committee directly.

2. Preparation

This step happens before leaving for your exchange experience and actually starts before you have matched yourself to a suitable internship. It consists of areas such as:

  • Logistical preparation. Ensuring that you are physically and legally prepared to work in another country.
  • Community Involvement. To help you gain an understanding of issues facing the world and your own community.
  • Direct Country preparation. Preparation on the country you will be going to and also how to cope with the pressures of living in a foreign culture.
  • AIESEC preparation. Providing you with knowledge about the exchange program and the roles of various entities.

The preparation step is critically important to ensure that you are ready to make the most out of your experience in a personal and professional sense. We also see it as an important part in ensuring that the people participating in the exchange program understand their responsibilities and the role that they play in fulfilling AIESEC's vision.

3. Matching

By this stage you have been through the selection process and have become an official AIESEC exchange participant (EP). Now you are able to start being matched to a suitable internship.
You will be trained and given access to use our on-line database of internship opportunities. The more flexible you are in terms of geographical preferences the better.

4. Integration

The most fulfilling step from here is experiencing the actual internship itself. AIESEC will provide you with much more information on what to expect during your internship experience and what kind of involvement you can have with AIESEC and the local environment while you are on your exchange experience in a new country. AIESEC members in your host chapter provide support in receiving you, getting things logistically setup while providing opportunities for cultural and social activities.

5. Re-Integration

AIESEC supports you in making the readjustment process when you return home. We hope that your experience opens up a world of opportunities to create a better society for us all. Also, if you're interested to continue your AIESEC career, you can apply for the leadership opportunities available for you in your original AIESEC committee.

International Internship Stories

Read stories from young kenyans just like you who have gone through an AIESEC international internship experience!!  Subscribe to the AIESEC Kenya Exchange Participant Stories Blog today to keep yourself updated on the life-changing experiences being lived around the world each day!

 

The AIESEC Learning Platform


Along with international internships and leadership experiences, AIESEC offers you the chance to participate in virtual global discussions, virtual team work experiences, online knowledge management and hundreds of physical meetings/conferences, learning teams, coaching with top executives and more.

 

The AIESEC platform is a unique environment that enables people to explore and develop their potential and creates the opportunity for development of defined leadership competencies.

 

Read more about young Kenyans who are living the AIESEC learning platform everyday! See their stories HERE.