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CASE STUDIES
AIESEC: International Traineeship Exchange Program
It was with the objectives of fostering international understanding and cooperation, providing international transfer of management skills, and giving students the opportunity to interact with students from other countries, that the International Traineeship Exchange programme (ITEP) was started. When 83 students went on traineeships in 1948 it was with these objectives in mind.
Today AIESEC offers several thousands of students and companies this experience of internationalism. Although our activities are now much broader the objectives have not changed. One of the most relevant aspects of the AIESEC experience is the opportunity students have to learn about cultures other than their own. Together with the development of personal skills AIESEC and the exchange programme offer students the unique opportunity to prepare themselves to be skilled, responsible and aware managers and leaders of tomorrow. Students who have the opportunity to work in a foreign country have a head start when it comes to thinking beyond their national boundaries.
The exchange programme itself has developed over the years and as the environment around us has changed we have strived to keep abreast so as to remain relevant. Since our beginning in 1948 where students were exchanged manually we have developed our exchange programme to a point where we now make use of a computer system which matches students to companies based on criteria set out by each. This method ensures quality in the programme by matching only those students and companies that are best suited for each other. As we move forward we continuously examine our exchange programme in order to not only give as many students as possible the opportunity to experience foreign traineeship but also to strive to have the highest possible level of quality for each traineership. There are also other opportunities whereby students can go abroad and gain valuable experience. Right now we are looking into cooperation with other exchange organizations so that we can maximize our impact. The interaction of students of different nations is the primary goal and we see it as our duty to find all possible ways in which we can achieve this goal.
The benefits which students gain from being involved in the exchange programme are extensive. Benefits are also plentiful for companies taking part in the programme. They are given the opportunity to receive skilled and motivated individuals, who can provide valuable perspectives to their business and eventually become a permanent employee.
With so many issues facing individuals in this fast changing world of ours, the exchange of ideas and interaction between the youth is a key to better understanding between the leaders of tomorrow. Our nations are going to need people who appreciate the importance of cooperation on a global level. AIESEC prepares the youth for these challenging roles in the future and through the exchange programme students can get the practical benefits that will stand them in good stead now and in the future.