The information on this booklet is correct at the date of

printing. Although AIESEC in South Australia shall strive to

print the information as accurate as possible at the time of

printing, AIESEC in South Australia reserves the right to

amend the details in this booklet without prior notification.

‘Be the change you want to see in the world’

- Mahatma Gandhi

i.

We are an international platform for young people to

explore and develop their leadership potential. As the

world’s largest student-run non-profit organization, we

develop students on a global scale into responsible and

entrepreneurial leaders.

Society needs leaders who are both globally minded and

values driven. Through global internships, we advance

youth leadership development at for-profit and non-profit

organizations.

2

The Global Citizen programme enables young people to

directly impact communities abroad through volunteer

internships, as well as develop themselves personally and

professionally by gaining practical skills and by experiencing

a new culture.

Global Citizen internships are typically 6-8 weeks and allow

youth to make a positive impact in society in the areas of

Cultural Understanding, Literacy, Social Entrepreneurship

and the Environment.

4

The Global Talent programme allows young people to put

their skills into practice by working in professional,

international workplaces as well as develop themselves

professionally and personally by gaining practical skills and

experiencing new cultures.

Global Talent Internships range from 3 to 18 months and

the requirements for each internship varies depending on

the field.

6

International SOS is a firm that provides integrated medical,

clinical, and security services to organisations with

international operations.

Download the app:

8

Seek your own destination’s

help number to call, as each

country has a different

emergency hotline.

10

No matter where you go, you are the face of AIESEC in

South Australia. So don’t be surprised if the other AIESEC

members or your work place ask many questions about

Australian culture!

Settle down, make new friends and most importantly, have

fun in your work to impact and inspire others. Most

participants find it difficult to mix with new friends in their

first few days, but give it time and they will be as if you have

known them you entire life!

Remember, there will be plenty of new things in store, so

stand up, and ask questions. Be brave!

12

Now you are in your AIESEC journey, it is time to make the

most of out it. Remember that is not a holiday, you have

work to do!

You will be expected to pour in effort and be passionate

about what you do and why you do it. For example,

teaching children English, you will be expected to work and

not to only teach children, but to impact their lives as well.

As you are in a foreign country, some working cultures

might differ from Australia. Therefore, you should ask

whenever in doubt.

14

As an Exchange Participant, you are expected to:

1) Complete and sign all documentation necessary for participation in an AIESEC exchange (Acceptance Notes, Contract, Visa etc.)

2) Pay all required fees (within two weeks).

3) Bring sufficient funds for all expenses during the exchange. For backup plans, you may choose to bring a preloaded credit or debit card.

4) Be understanding and sensitive to cultural, religious, ethical norms, national or local law and other policies that exist in your exchange destination.

5) Be proactive in informing your host about your situation throughout your exchange.

13

As an Exchange Participant from Australia as previously

mentioned, it comes as no surprise that people will

associate Australia and you. The image of Australia rests on

your shoulders!

Therefore, you are responsible for upholding this image

abroad. Remember, cultures and ethics vary differently

across countries, always be sure to respect their norms.

On a lighter note, many other people abroad will definitely

be curious about Australia. It is up to you to explain and

describe how life is down under!

Got vegemite mate?

16

You are able to quit the exchange in the following

situations:

1) Your documents or visa are denied.

2) A family emergency of health issue that can be dangerous (proof required).

3) Your exchange destination country declares war formally, natural disasters, revolution or faces a terrorism attack.

4) Your exchange work is completely different from the job description.

5) You are discriminated against your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, ethnicity, social origin or age at your work place.

6) You are sexually harassed at your work place.

18 17

‘

Problems faced should normally be resolved in Step 1 or 2.

‘I am facing a problem, now what?’

Remember, in any situation, be calm and do not panic.

Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes; because it is your

most powerful weapon.

Your buddy back home in Australia can always be of some

assistance and advice, or maybe just someone you want to

talk to relieve some homesickness.

Or talk to your new friends there! They might be facing the

same problem, and talking together while being solution

oriented is certainly the AIESEC way!

If the issue is certainly unresolvable, there are steps to file

in a complaint.

You should inform the Hosting AIESEC Entity and

the response party should attempt to solve the

issue privately.

If the issue is not resolved, you should inform

and involve the Sending Entity (us!). We will try

to resolve it according to the Exchange Policies

If that fails as well, both Entities in Step 1 and 2

will inform their Member Committee (MC) and

will work together to resolve the issue.

If no agreement can be reached within two

weeks, the issue will be brought forth to the

Internal Control Board for arbitration.

20

What I experienced was a challenging and

meaningful project executed within a warm

environment of support and camaraderie. I

developed rewarding relationships with

diverse parties across my exchange experi-

ence, from my host family, to my colleagues

and other friends found along the way. My

cultural experience was rich and far deeper

than the superficial perspective of the

tourist. Though I wasn't entirely sure what I

would be undertaking in the project before

I started, I slowly became passionate about

its objectives. We were raising social awareness in

Vietnamese students and encouraging

their leadership. Specifically we helped

them work with victims of Agent Orange, in

turn supporting them through fundraising

and awareness raising. In the end, our work

had a noticeable effect on the students, and

to know that we may have inspired even a

few of them to make a difference is

intensely satisfying. Ultimately, my teaching

experience was satisfying and I loved the

city and its people.

22 21

We only live once and we will regret the

chances that we did not take later on in life.

I do not want to have any regrets so I

decided to go on exchange with AIESEC.

Last summer, I had an amazing and

unforgettable experience in a magical

place, Poland, during my 6-week

volunteering trip. I have met some of the

best people in my life. I was doing a

teaching and cultural understanding

project in Poznan; teaching the students

from kindergarten to middle schools.

Throughout the exchange journey, it was

not only for me to meet new friends from

around the world, but also making a

positive impact in the community and

undergoing self-discovery.

During the 6 weeks, I have also stepped out

of my comfort zone to try every new thing

and took all the challenges I have never

faced before. What I experienced has

pushed me to be independent and I have

gained an experience that is absolutely

unique in my life story. I realized that I am

more capable than I thought and I also

experienced the power and impact that

could be happen in terms of youth

leadership. Do not leave any regrets in your

life by challenging, developing yourself, and

experiencing new cultures. The experience

is best delivered when you do it yourself.

Therefore, take action and going on

exchange with AIESEC.

Volunteering abroad with AIESEC is one of the best

moments of my life. Though this exchange, I have

broadened my insights, became more confident, met

a lot of good friends from around the world, and most

importantly I created irreplaceable memories. I was

presenting Malaysia’s culture in two high schools in

Szczecin, Poland. I showed lots of videos and pictures

about Malaysia and the students were very curious. I

never thought I could live in a country where I can’t

speak their language for 6 weeks, but I did it and I

enjoyed every minute of my time there. I have

become so much more independent and brave now.

It is amazing how you can feel your growth and

changes after this exchange experience.

If there’s chance, I will definitely encourage anyone,

who wishes to develop and learn new things to go for

a volunteering exchange with AIESEC.

23 24

Volunteering in Egypt was not only about visiting the place you might never

even dream about, or feeling like an alien walking on the streets and every

stranger would say hi and shake hands with you; it was also about the process

of getting to know a different and mysterious culture halfway across the world

while getting to know other volunteers and everything about them. Everyone

is akin to a window to look into a new part of the world by forging strong ties

between them. This is the special part about getting involved with AIESEC, to

meet friends from different backgrounds and to keep the connections as your

life’s treasures.

This is the one of stories I could tell to my children and grandchildren when I

am old: that when I was young I was fearless and crossed half the world to see

and to know something most people even never dream of doing.

In the winter of 2014-2015, I

had a memorable experience in

a mysterious place, Egypt.

The history - pyramids, tombs,

temples; the religion –

Muslims, Qur’an, mosques; the

language – Arabic, French,

English brought me to this

unknown adventure.