Thank you for taking your first step to change the world! This information pack will be providing most of the essential information about this Go Volunteer program. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. E-mail: sydney@aiesecaustralia.org. http://facebook.com/aiesec.sydney/
1. Introduction to AIESEC 2. Go Volunteer Program 3. Application Process 4. Deferrals & Refund Policy 5. FAQ
Introduction to AIESEC AIESEC is a not-for-profit organisation that provides international exchange opportunities to students. Our offices are presented globally in over 124 countries with over 100 000 active members and this makes us the largest student-run organisation in the world. AIESEC was founded in 1948 in post-war Europe where a group of young individuals from 7 countries, determined to create change, came together to create an organisation that aimed to “expand the understanding of a nation by expanding the understanding of the individuals, changing the world one person at a time”. Our purpose is to develop responsible and entrepreneurial leadership in young people through exchange experiences. Envisioning “Peace and Fulfilment of humankind’s potential”, we believe exchange can make a direct positive impact on society by rapidly advancing the global environment, making the world a smaller and smaller place.
Go Volunteer Program Why should YOU go on exchange? In a world where we face changing global challenges, we believe the solution is to develop responsible and entrepreneurial young leaders today who will choose how the world will be like tomorrow. Unlike anyone else in the world, we provide practical leadership experiences by living and delivering international exchange programs that develop leadership in others. In doing so, young people are exposed to a global learning environment where they have the confidence to learn and the freedom to fail. It is now your chance to develop leadership qualities on exchange to become global citizens and leaders that will create a positive impact of society.
What is the program about? CREATING DIRECT POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the change that you have made in someone else's life. There are many disadvantaged communities out there - step up and lead the change.
ENRICH YOUR GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Gain a different perspective on the world while experiencing a new culture. Being placed out of your comfort zone will allow you to discover more about yourself, what you're passionate about and what you want to do in the future. BUILDING LIFELONG INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS Connect with youth from all over the world. Once you've worked with like-minded individuals for 6 weeks in a foreign environment, you'll always remember them. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Our exchange programs provide you with first-hand experience in teamwork as well as leadership. Stand out from the crowd by doing something different, and by gaining a unique set of skills in the process.
Requirements: 1. Current undergraduate students or graduate students within 2 years after obtaining a degree are eligible 2. Age: 18-30 years old 3. Minimum exchange duration: 6 weeks 4. Ineligible for exchange to a country of origin or a country lived in for more than 2 years
Details: AIESEC committees around the world set up partnerships with NGOs and other organisations to create an issue-based project. AIESEC Sydney sends exchange participants overseas usually for 6 – 8 weeks to work on a project to create an impact on developing communities. We are currently processing applications for the Winter period (June-August). The upcoming rounds for Winter are: Round 1: 24th February – 28th March Round 2: 31st March – 25th April (FINAL round) Get your application in by Friday, 25th April 2014 to make the most of your Winter break. If you are interested in going on exchange with us in the Summer break, please fill in this form here: http://tinyurl.com/summersignups We will contact you when application rounds for Summer are open.
Countries that we offer exchange to currently include (subject to change): Poland, Hungary, Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan, The Philippines, and Mauritius. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, but highlights some of the recommended countries (based on past exchange participant experiences). If you are interested in another country that is not listed above, please get in contact with a representative from our team!
What issues do we focus on?s CULTURAL AWARENESS CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Cost: An AIESEC program lasts for at least 6 weeks and has an administration fee of only $700. Many volunteer organizations offer very similar programs in similar countries with similar experiences. Typically, they last around 2-4 weeks and cost about $2,000-4,000. This is about the cost of a holiday, and if you think about it, it’s a small price to pay for a life-changing experience. This is why thousands of Australians go on these programs every year. -
Why are we so inexpensive? o AIESEC is a not-for-profit and completely student run organisation o We want to give as many students as possible the chance to develop their leadership potential and make a difference.
Flights, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations and living expenses are at your own cost. However, some programs do provide accommodation and food according to the job description. Please read carefully and if you have any concerns, feel free to contact us.
Application Process Decision
Apply online
Attend information session
Interview
Preparation and finding a program
EXCHANGE!
1. Decision Before applying, be sure of why you want to go on an international exchange. We encourage our exchange participants to have an open mind of where they want to go. 2. Apply Online To apply, simply complete an online application form at the following link: https://podio.com/webforms/4984076/389404. Should your application be successful, you will be invited to attend a compulsory information session. The information session will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions regarding the exchange process, and also provide you with the expectations for an AIESEC exchange. 3. Attend Information Session Attend the information session to receive more information about our exchange program and understand what is required of an AIESEC exchange. Following this information session, you will find out details of the interview (known as the Member Review Board) and how to register for it. The interview is to assess your suitability for an AIESEC Go Volunteer exchange. To confirm your interview position, you will need to make a non-refundable deposit of $50 before you arrive. (Interviews are usually held on Saturdays) 4. Interview (around an hour) The interview aims to ensure that everyone participating in an AIESEC exchange is suitable and will have a positive experience while on exchange. If you are successful in passing the interview, our team will assist you in uploading your profile onto our online database and signing the contract. You are then required to pay a one-off fee of $650 within 7 days after passing the interview. 5. Preparation and finding a suitable program
Return
After passing the interview, you will be assigned to an AIESEC member (your EP Manager), who will help guide you in preparation for your exchange. PREPARATION: There are 4 compulsory EP Preparation workshops that you will need to attend after payment and before your exchange. These workshops aim to provide you with appropriate skills and mindset for your exchange. They also teach you how to search and apply for suitable programs, allowing you to ‘match’ to a program as soon as possible. Details of the session can be confirmed with your Exchange Participant Manager (EP Manager), but in general they are 2 hours per week over 4 weeks. Please ensure you can commit to these workshops before sitting your interview. There is also a compulsory regional Outgoing Preparation Seminar for all EPs to attend. This will provide you with a final understanding of skills needed for your exchange. It is also an opportunity to meet other Exchange Participants from across NSW. For Semester 1, the Outgoing Preparation Seminar will be held on Saturday, 24th May 2014. Please ensure you are able to attend this event before sitting your interview. FINDING A SUITABLE PROGRAM: After passing the interview, you have 6 months to find and be accepted into a suitable program. If you are not ‘matched’ to a program within 6 months, your contract expires and you will need to sit the application process again. It is your responsibility as the Exchange Participant (EP) to search for programs and be accepted to a program as soon as possible, or risk missing out on a program in your desired timeframe. Once you have been accepted into a program, it will be your responsibility to book flights, travel insurance and to sort out visas and vaccinations (if applicable). Throughout the whole process, your EP manager will be available for guidance and answer any questions you may have. To ensure that your AIESEC Go Volunteer Program is as smooth as possible, it is crucial that you co-operate with your EP Managers and stay in contact with them regularly via e-mail. This
whole process of finding a suitable program as well as preparing to go usually takes 1-2 months, provided there is good communication between you and your EP Manager. 6. EXCHANGE! This is the best part! AIESECers from the hosting entity will provide support in collecting you once you arrive, getting logistically setup, whilst providing opportunities for cultural and social activities. Your home entity (AIESEC Sydney) will also keep in contact with you throughout your exchange to ensure that you have the best possible experience. We will ask you to fill out compulsory surveys for quality management, provide testimonials and photos for marketing purposes and others! 7. Return Upon your return, you will be invited to share your experience at a Welcome Back event. We will also offer further AIESEC opportunities after your exchange, such as becoming an AIESEC Sydney Member or joining our Ambassador Program, so that you may be part of sharing the wonderful experience to others.
Deferrals and Refund Policy Exchange Participants must be ‘matched’ to (accepted into) a program within 6 months, otherwise the contract expires and you will need to sit the whole application process again. Deferrals Extensions can be granted in the case of severe personal circumstances, where a letter explaining the situation and sufficient evidence must be provided. Contract extensions can only be granted for a maximum of 3 months by the Director of International Exchange in AIESEC Sydney, unless otherwise stated. Refunds Generally, applicants do not get refunded. It is expected that you only apply if you are 100% sure that you want to go on exchange. We will ensure all expectations have been met before contracts are signed. Refunds may be given out due to severe personal circumstances or medical reasons. Documentation in the form of a doctor’s certificate and letter from the Exchange Participant is required, as is other documentation depending on each situation. Exchange Participants must also show they have actively looked and applied for programs.
FAQ
Is it possible to go to a country that is not included in your given list of programs?
Yes, in most cases. However, we cannot guarantee that all countries are available. The nature of the Go Volunteer program means that there are no programs available in developed countries (e.g. Japan, Germany, United States). The countries in our given list of programs are highly recommended based on past exchange experiences. Your EP Manager will be able to provide more support in matching to these countries, however if you wish to go to another country, please speak to your EP Manager about what options are recommended. Please note that AIESEC Sydney does not send Exchange Participants to India, as these programs are still under development.
Can I undertake an exchange program in my home country?
No. Remember, AIESEC’s goal is to provide international experiences in new a culture – going back to your home country makes this vision redundant. Further, you cannot go to a country you have lived for more than 2 years in the last 10 years.
What happens after the interview?
You will be assigned to an EP Manager, who will explain and guide you through the rest of the exchange process and overall prepare you for your exchange. It will be your responsibility to work with your EP Manager to find a suitable program.
What am I paying the $700 for?
The $700 is an administration fee which is reinvested into the organisation to improve and develop our exchange programs and operations.
How do I get ‘matched’ to a program?
Getting matched to a program is similar to applying for a job. After you have paid, you will need to look for suitable programs you are interested in. To apply for a program, you need to contact the respective overseas program coordinators and arrange a Skype interview with them. Once you are successful in an interview and an offer has been received, a reply must be sent within 24 hours or else the offer may no longer be available. This is because many EPs apply for the same programs and can be highly competitive. If one offer has been accepted, emails must be sent to other offers received to turn them down.
Is accommodation provided?
Accommodation, along with other costs such as airfares, insurance, vaccinations etc., is not included. There may be some programs that provide subsidised accommodation and food as stated on the job description. If you are confused about anything, please consult your EP Manager.
What exactly will I be doing on an AIESEC exchange?
AIESEC committees around the world set up partnerships with NGOs and other organisations to create an issue-based project. AIESEC Sydney sends exchange participants overseas usually for 6 – 8 weeks to work on a project to create an impact on developing communities. Major issues that our programs focus on include: youth education, health education, cultural diversity, sustainability, and youth empowerment. For more information, please refer to the ‘Go Volunteer Program’ section.
Can I travel with a friend?
The short answer is yes, but we cannot guarantee that you’ll participate in the same program due to the limited capacity of each program. AIESEC encourages those who are looking to go on exchange, to do so individually. The reason for this is that the AIESEC experience is focused around self-development. You will meet plenty of people during your exchange. Regardless, if you are very keen on travelling together we will do everything we can to make it happen – but there are no guarantees!
Who will help me in my host country?
All internships are based on a local committee nearby, which is there to help you during your internship. More concretely, the members of this hosting local committee organize your accommodation, pick you up from the airport/station, show you around in the city, and accompany you to work on your first day. In addition, they will integrate you into their activities, organize events for you and the other interns and help you get to know the people and culture of your host country. Should there be any problems, there will always be someone to help you. We keep in contact with you and support you in every possible way.
Can I defer my exchange, or get a refund, if I don’t end up going?
Yes, however you need to go on exchange within 6 months (or an extended 9 months) after your interview, otherwise you will be required to pay the administration fee again. The $50 interview deposit as well as the $550 administration fee is non-refundable as it is expected that you only apply if you are 100% sure that you want to go on exchange. We will ensure all expectations have been met before contracts are signed. A refund may be received for valid reasons such as health/medical concerns. For more information, please refer to the ‘Deferrals and Refund Policy’ section.
Where can I find more information?
More information can be found on our website (http://au.aiesec.org/), our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/aiesec.sydney). If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an information session, where you may ask the International Exchange team any questions you may have. Any other questions can be directed to us via email at sydney@aiesecaustralia.org.