The First Step
The first step is simple. You create a profile on aiesec.org. That's your starting point. It's where you'll find volunteering opportunities abroad, the countries you can go to, the projects you can work on, and the basic information about the program.
You don't need to know right away where you want to go. You don't need to have a perfect CV right away. You don't even need to be sure you'll end up applying. It's enough to take the first step and get into the process.
The Information Meeting
After that, someone from AIESEC will contact you to schedule an information meeting and go through what interests you together. In that meeting, you talk about what you're looking for. Whether the country matters more to you, or the theme of the project, the duration, the cost, safety, housing, support, community, personal growth, or something else entirely.
If this is your first exchange, it's best to choose a country by asking yourself three questions.
First, how do I want to feel there? Do you want something culturally closer to home, like Romania or Italy? Or do you want an experience that takes you completely out of your comfort zone, Kenya for example?
Second, what do I want to do? AIESEC runs a wide range of projects, so you can choose whatever suits you best.
Third, how much am I ready to invest? Not just money. Energy, adaptability, patience, and openness too. Because the best exchanges aren't always the easiest ones. Often they're the ones that shake you up a little.
Applying and the Interview
Once you find an opportunity you like, the next step is applying. That means submitting an application for a specific opportunity through the platform. Depending on the project, you'll need to send a CV and a motivation letter. If that sounds stressful, the good news is you don't have to do it all alone. The AIESEC team helps you prepare your application. Sometimes you have a lot more experience than you think, you just don't know how to put it into words.
After you apply, comes the interview. And I know that word can sound serious. But an exchange interview isn't a test where someone is trying to catch you out. It's more like a conversation where the other side wants to see who you are, why you want to go, and whether this particular opportunity is a good fit for you.
Sometimes the interview will be with the local AIESEC team from the country you're going to. Sometimes with the organization running the project. The most important thing is to be honest. If you've never worked with children, say so. If you're a little scared about leaving, say that too. Exchange isn't for people who have no fears. Exchange is for people who are ready to face them.
Preparation and Costs
Once you're accepted, the part that feels most concrete to most people begins, preparation. That's when the details get worked out around dates, housing, arrival, required documents, and next steps. This is usually also when questions about money start coming up. You can break the costs down into a few categories.
The AIESEC fee, the program fee. It covers part of the organizational support, the process, and the preparation behind your exchange.
Travel costs. Most often this is the plane ticket, but sometimes a bus, train, or a combination of transport. This is the cost that varies the most, so it's a good idea to buy the ticket early.
Documents and insurance. Depending on the country, you might need a visa, additional paperwork, or travel health insurance.
Pocket money. Even when housing or some meals are covered, you should count on local transport, a SIM card, extra food, day trips, coffee, and all the small expenses that always come up.
So the best approach isn't just to ask "how much does an exchange cost?" A better question is how much do I need to feel secure while I'm there? For some people a basic budget is enough, for others it's important to have a buffer just in case. Both are fine. What matters is knowing in advance what to expect.
Getting Ready to Leave
Once you're financially and organizationally prepared, comes a part that often feels like a small detail but actually means a lot, getting ready to leave. That's not just packing your suitcase. It's the moment you start imagining your life there. Where you'll sleep. Who you'll meet first. What the first day of the project will look like. Whether you'll miss home. And you probably will.
That's why, before you leave, you go through a preparation process. You get information, contacts, advice, and support, about cultural adaptation, expectations, behavior in a new environment, and safety. Because the goal isn't just to go. The goal is to go more prepared.
The Airport
And then comes the airport. That day is always strange. Maybe you'll check your passport five times. Maybe you'll be running late even though you left early. Maybe you'll stand in front of the gate and really understand, for the first time, that for the next few weeks you won't be in your city, in your room, in your comfort zone.
And that's when the question from the beginning might come back. "Is this too complicated?" It isn't. It's just new. And we often mistake new for hard.
So, if you're thinking about an exchange right now and it feels like there are too many steps, remember this. You don't have to figure it all out today. Today all you need to do is create a profile. We'll handle the rest together.
