In 1948, right after World War II, AIESEC was formed by seven young people from seven different countries. It was founded mainly in the hope of bridging the gaps across cultures for better world.
What is AIESEC?
AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run international non-governmental & non-profit organization. It’s spread across more than 126 countries and in about 2400 Universities across the globe.
With a focus to empower young people, the organization believes that through investing in the potential of youth, students hold the key to a brighter future leading them to make a positive impact on society. And eventually help shaping better world.
AIESEC does offer several professional and social development opprotunities such as facilitating global exchange through leadership and cross-cultural internship experiences, volunteering, and by providing work opportunities by sending local youth abroad or hosting international youth in countries other than their own.
Benefits of Joining AIESEC
Whether working on an exchange or in a local chapter, AIESEC focuses on developing leadership and it could definitely be the right decision to join it.
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The AIESEC movement strives for four core leadership qualities: the ability to empower others, being solution-oriented, being a world citizen and self-awareness.
It is an awesome place to harness your speaking, convincing, team-work, leadership and many other skills.
Shayma Rsayssi
- Networking and social contacts. When you get into a team, especially you get in to Executive Board (EB) team, you will have the people that you can share almost everything with. Trust is one of the values that AIESECers values the most.
- Global network. AIESEC is the world’s largest student-led organization, present in over 126 countries. You will have a support system in your local committee, who are there to encourage and motivate you. + There is an immediate bond with other AIESECers around the world.
- Motivation and Inspiration. There are plenty of people in AIESEC who are passionate about making a difference in the world and it’s hard not to get influenced/inspired by them when you work so closely together.
- Conferences moments,personal and professional development. In conferences, AIECECers show the true colors that they don’t show the world often. Serious daytime with trainings and meetings but after dinner is when everything start going crazy in a good way. They will probably have drinking games, some challenges and sharing sessions that definitely generate lots of good laugh. You’ll get a lot of unforgettable moments at conferences and workshops, moments that make you want to be an AIESECer forever.
- Improving soft skills. AIESEC allows to improve soft skills that are useful in future careers. AIESECers get many trainings, either from high level members or guest speakers. AIESEC members get the chance as well to be involved into real work envirnments, solving real issues.
AIESEC in Tunisia
AIESEC was founded in Brussels in 1948. In 1962, AIESEC was officially established in Tunisia. AIESEC has now 11 local chapters in Tunisia, according to aiesectunisie.org.
“AIESEC is the one of the largest youth-run organizations in Tunisia. It counts more than 1200 members across the country,” said Rafa Ben Yakhlef, a former member of AIESEC in Tunisia, in an interview with Carthage Magazine. “We are present all over Tunisia through 11 local chapters, 4 of which are based in the Greater Tunis. AIESEC in Tunisia can be described as a leadership development hub for Tunisian youth. In 2019, AIESEC in Tunisia enabled about 3090 Young Tunisians to go on exchange abroad.”
“Joining AIESEC was one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.” added Rafa.
Meet a Tunisian AIESECer!
Meet Dorra, a Tunisian who has been given a chance to work in her field of expertise. She flew all the way to Tokyo seeking for a unique experience and personal development. She didn’t just find that. Thousands of miles away from home, Dorra made a new family, and every day she was one step ahead towards conquering her dreams.
Get Involved
Well, AIESEC is an amazing idea, platform and an opportunity provider for an experience that has a huge potential, with one of the worlds largest thought process aligned student network, we’d say anyone of you could make amazing stuff happen.
And being a part of it is definitely worth it, and it’s up to you to make up your mind if it’s worth your time!
This is a combined effort by two writers who interviewed a few AIESEC members and Alumni.
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