What is IAESTE?

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, short IAESTE, is an international, nonpolitical and independent organization which arranges internships abroad. It was founded in 1948 at the Imperial College of London to contribute in the promotion of the international understanding. Since then IAESTE has been working succesfully with different organizations of the UN, e.g. with the UNESCO, ECOSOC and UNIDO.

The German Federal Republic is a member of the organization since 1950 and is represented by the German National Committee of IAESTE in the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). IAESTE is supported financially by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and The Federal Foreign Office. The trainee exchange is approved by The Central Agency of Foreign and Professional Affairs (ZAV) of the Federal Employment Agency.

Since its foundation, IAESTE has organized over 300 000 internships worldwide in over 85 countries, alone 50 000 in Germany. In 2006 about 700 german employers participated in the IAESTE internship exchange. Main focus is on internships in engineering, physical sciences and as well agriculture and forestry. Through the worldwide exchange program IAESTE provides the students an opportunity to gather international work experience with reliable basic conditions.

The IAESTE internships are meant to provide an opportunity for the foreign trainees to expand and to deepen the skills attained during their basic studies in the fields of industry, research or administration, according to the requirements of their future profession.

You as employer have the opportunity to promote and to receive the benefit for you company from

  • new ideas
  • the current expert knowledge of the students
  • the intercultural exchange.

How does the trainee exchange work with IAESTE?

If a company or an organization decides to participate in the trainee exchange, IAESTE requires only the desired profile of qualification: the expected qualification(s), assignment for the intern, begin and length of the internship and some other details. More information on how to offer an internship you can find here.

The received internship offers will be collected in all the countries taking part in the IAESTE program and exchanged in an annual conference. The German Committee of IAESTE receives for each offered traineeship in Germany an offered internship for German students, who wish to do an internship abroad. In this way every participating country receives internship offers from abroad which can be offered to highly motivated an skilled students.

The desired profile of qualifications is of course taken into consideration when arranging the internship. The German Committee of IAESTE at the DAAD will send the application of a suitable foreign candidate to you, the employer in Germany. It is up you to decide about the acceptance of the candidate. The foreign student receives the employer's acceptance through the DAAD. The student accepts the internship offer by signing the acceptance confirmation.

You as an employer will be released from all further organizational obligations (visa, work permit, insurance, accommodation, care etc.) IAESTE carries out the necessary organizational expenses and all formalities will be taken care of in co-operation between the National Committee and the Local Committee in question. This service is completely free of charge. A detailed overview of the benefits for you as an employer can be found here.

Assignments of IAESTE

  • nomination of a suitable candidate according to the desired profile of qualification
  • support of the applicant with the visa and insurance issues
  • Arrangement of accommodation and assistance to the trainees for their arrival
  • Assistance with authority affairs
  • preparation of the work and residence permits, tax exemption and other legal requirements
  • organizing recreational activities to explore and learn about German culture and lifestyle habits

 

General financial Conditions

The offered service by IAESTE is completely free of charge and does not involve any obligations.The only costs thereby incurred are an allowance for the intern.

According to an agreement between the IAESTE member countries, the allowance of the intern should cover the trainee's cost of living during the stay in the host country. In Germany a monthly allowance of 650 € is currently considered appropriate. If the company receives an economical benefit through the collaboration with the intern (e. g. assignment) the allowance should be adjusted to the particular pay scale. In certain cases the DAAD can grant the foreign trainees a catch-up allowance from the funds of the Federal Foreign Office. This financial option is intended for institutions which have no budget for education and further training of interns.

Generally speaking IAESTE interns are freed from the income tax and are not subject to social insurance contributions. It is taken care of the health, accident and personal liability insurance of the interns.


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