FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19

Who is looking out for me when I am abroad?

You will receive full support from both AIESEC in your home town and abroad. Your personal buddy will help you set up a social network. They can address all your questions and concerns and will ensure that you have a good time!

What if my project gets canceled due to corona?

You will receive a voucher to go on a new project which you can use up to three years. This means you will not get a refund.

What to do when I get sick
If you develop corona symptoms during your stay abroad, report to a local doctor’s office. Your buddy can help you with this and will support you while you stay inside. Untill you receive further information, please isolate yourself. COVID-19 Safety Guidelines AIESEC in The NetherlandsGreat to see that you are interested in going abroad with AIESEC. These guidelines are created to ensure that you understand the risks involved in travelling during this pandemic and to what extend AIESEC can offer support.

In case you tested positive, follow the advice of the local health service and the measures that apply in that specific country. From the moment you have not experienced any corona related symptoms for at least 24 hours, you are able to travel (home) again.

What happens if the host country goes into lockdown?
If the country gets into lockdown you have to follow the rules that apply to the country where you are staying.

If you want to return to the Netherlands, we will guide you as much as we can. However, we are not responsible for arranging your transportation or its costs. As a Dutch citizen, you can always return to the Netherlands. If there are entry restrictions from the country where you reside, you have to go into quarantine upon arrival in the Netherlands

On the rare occasion that there are no more flights, you can travel by train, Flixbus, or boat depending on the country. Mind that you cannot travel if you have corona (symptoms).

What does my insurance cover when traveling to a country that is marked orange or red by the Dutch government? (upon department)
In countries with code orange or red, urgent care will be reimbursed through your basic health insurance, but costs related to your additional insurance or travel insurance will usually not be covered – this entails the following:

Costs related to extending your stay because of corona will be for your own expense.
You cannot consult your cancelation insurance to go back home earlier
Repatriation costs will not be covered for orange and red coded countries. It is always important to contact your insurance in case this happens.

If you are an international with a Dutch basic health insurance, or you are confused about the term “”Eigen Risico”” often referred to as “”excess”” or “”deductible””, please find more information on this page.

What kind of health costs does my insurance cover?
If you were to face any corona related issues abroad, Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) will cover all critical medical costs anywhere around the world. For instance, transport by ambulance or emergency hospital care.

However, the basic insurance only covers costs up to the rate that is currently in the Netherlands. Is the care or treatment abroad more expensive than in the Netherlands? This means you will pay for the part that exceeds the Dutch rates.

Internships

When can I do a professional internship?

Projects are available all year long. However, most of the internships run either in summer (June-August) or winter (December-February).

Do I get paid for an internship?

For short-term internships (up to 12 weeks), you will either receive a salary or housing. From 3 months onwards, you will receive a salary. Wages differ per opportunity, but this always indicated in our online portal. It will always be sufficient to cover housing and most of your food. As an indication, students that intern in Amsterdam via AIESEC earn about 1150 euros per month net.

Do I need a minimum number of ECTS?

Formally, there is no minimum of ECTS required. However, we do advise students to earn at least 120 ECTS before applying, since this will greatly increase your chances of being approved for an internship.

Can I earn ECTS for your internships?

In some Dutch universities it is possible to earn ECTS through an internship abroad with AIESEC. Contact your local AIESEC office to ask about what arrangement they might have with your faculty or university!  

What is the right study background and how important is it?

Most Global Talent internships are related to business & economics. Project for studies such as (international) business administration, economics, supply chain management, strategic management are very common. We also have a lot of IT, marketing and engineering internships. Are you not sure whether your profile is a match? Don’t hesitate to contact your local AIESEC office.

I am a student at HBO, can I still do a professional internship with AIESEC?

Yes you can! Since 2016, students from HBO (Applied Sciences) are also allowed to go abroad with AIESEC.

How long in advance should I start applying?

In general, we advise starting applying three to four months in advance. At this point in time, most of the projects for the time that you would like to go are available and you have still time to look around and apply to several different projects.

In which countries can I do an internship abroad?

The opportunities in the portal are from all over the world since AIESEC is present in 126 countries!

Volunteering

When can I do a voluntary project?

Projects are available all year long, so you can go at any date. However, busiest times for projects are during summer and winter.

Do I get paid for volunteering?

Global Volunteer is in itself a non-paid project in which accommodation is often provided. Some projects as well cover food and/or transportation to the voluntary project. If you are looking for a paid project abroad, check out our Global Talent projects.

How long in advance should I start applying?

The matching process for a global volunteer project can go very fast. Do you want to be sure you’re matched to a good project and want to buy a flight ticket in time? Then you can already start applying now!

In which countries can I do voluntary work?

Our voluntary projects take place anywhere around the world since AIESEC is present in 126 countries! Right now the only exchange that is possible is in Europe. In normal circumstances, you can travel anywhere in the world.

AIESEC

What is AIESEC?
AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. We are a non-political, independent, not-for-profit organisation run by students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education. Its members are interested in world issues, leadership and management. AIESEC does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national/social origin.
Since we were founded, we have engaged and developed over 1,000,000 young people who have been through an AIESEC experience. The impact of our organisation can be seen through our alumni who represent business, NGO and world leaders, including one Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Martti Ahtisaari of Finland.
What does it mean that you are independent and non-political?
AIESEC does not have a pre-defined or officially accepted political tendency or subscription.
AIESEC is not a subsidiary or dependent entity of any other bodies in its work, sustainability or decisions.
We are in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), affiliated with the UN DPI, member of ICMYO, and is recognised by UNESCO.
What does youth-run mean?
We are a global network of young leaders under the age of 30 who strive to better themselves and the communities around them. We are passionate about world issues, leadership development, cultural understanding and experiential learning.
The organisation spans 126 countries and territories and every aspect of AIESEC’s operations are managed by students and recent graduates.
We have operated in this way since our inception, making us uniquely “by young people, for young people”, for over 65 years. The global leadership teams are elected by the membership annually.
Who can be AIESECer?
Anyone who believes in the AIESEC vision supports the mission of AIESEC, and lives by the AIESEC values is a part of the youth leadership movement, and hence is an AIESECer. They can be our partners who relate to our organizational values and vision, or it can be our parents who constantly support us to give our best to our leadership development journeys.
What does AIESEC stand for?
AIESEC (pronounced eye-sek) was originally an acronym for Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales. AIESEC is no longer used as an acronym but simply as the name of the organisation.
Members of AIESEC are known as “AIESECers.”
When was AIESEC founded?
AIESEC was founded in 1948 in 7 countries in Europe by Jean Choplin (France), Bengt Sjøstrand (Sweden), and Dr. Albert Kaltenthaler (Germany). Over 65 years later we are present in 126 countries and territories.