Input for ICX and OGX from the perspective of an EP

Being a person who actually goes through the exchange process has given me lots of new insights about how we can manage exchange better. I wish to share my insights here, in hope that it will help us to deliver high quality exchange!

For ICX:

Integration, not servicing

I had an integration officer, not reception officer. The notion of integration means I am guided to embed myself in the society and AIESEC activities, being introduced to LC members and build a network with them. It is a long-term thing, rather than a short-term reception. It’ll be great to have an integration syllabus so that every integration officer knows all the must-dos.

Bring the intern to register at respective embassy

I realized it is a must to register ourselves at our respective embassies when we will be staying at a foreign country for long, so that the embassy can contact us for activities or emergency. How important is this? For Malaysians, failure to do so can cost you your citizenship!

Ask for flight itinerary

Forget about asking for various flight information such as time and date, ask directly for the flight ticket or flight itinerary and every information is there accurately. It is a simple thing which unfortunately a lot of us don’t do!

Invite interns to update the preparation booklet

A local sees the country differently from a foreigner, and both groups give and need different information. Thus, inviting existing interns to share their experience on adaptation and put this information on preparation booklet can provide future incoming interns invaluable information that smoothen their preparation. For example, in Cameroon culture, every time you ask someone to go out and eat together, it means that you have to pay for the person. This is something every Cameroonian knows and thinks it’s normal for everywhere else, but it is definitely very different in other parts of the world, and this can cost interns a whole lot of money when we unknowingly asked people to eat out together! This sort of embedded information can only be sensed and pointed out by interns.

Interns want to be involved in AIESEC activities

Here we are treated like a member under the care of TM, and we are informed about LC meetings and various activities. Interns attend conferences here too. This has helped me to make friends with a lot more AIESEC members, and from there learn more about the society. INTRODUCE INTERNS FORMALLY TO THE LC AT LC MEETINGS. Let the intern do a self introduction, country presentation, have Q&A, etc.

Do talent management for your interns

Interns are a valuable asset to the LC. VPICX should know each intern’s strengths and introduce them to people who can tap into their strength. For example, Germans are well-known for being efficient, so the LCP learns from Jana the German intern on to run the LC more efficiently.

If possible, match TNs with real AIESEC EPs

Rather than pocket recruited EPs.
Real AIESECers are a source of inspiration to members and can provide valuable input and experience to our AIESEC functions. And this is a way to show our support for full AIESEC experience.

Match rightly

Make sure TN manager understands the job description well and have read the EP’s qualification well, to ensure a good fit between the job and the EP. After the match, initiate and facilitate the communication between EP and TN so that the EP and TN can better understand each other and clarify job scope.

Actively communicate with EPs and TN about the job

Here the TN mangers actively talk to EPs and TNs to check if everything is alright, and to assist their communication with each other, and to intervene when necessary. For example, my boss somehow didn’t know that I am only working 3 days for him and other 2 days for AIESEC PBOX. After I told my TN manager this, he helped me to communicate with the TN to smooth out everything. TN manager is sometimes the only source of help for EPs on work-related problem. So don’t run away from it!

For OGX:

Importance of proactiveness

It is a MUST for a person to be proactive to have a quality internship experience. To proactively adapt, proactively propose to the boss for more work when the the internship is too slack, proactively communicate with the TN manager if job reality and what was on the TN form does not match, proactively communicate with the boss for any dispute in work, proactively explore, proactively building own social network. Choose proactive people, or groom the EPs to be more proactive at Preparation Seminar.

Register at own embassy upon arrival

I realized it is a must to register ourselves at our respective embassies when we will be staying at a foreign country for long, so that the embassy can contact us for activities or emergency. How important is this? For Malaysians, failure to do so can cost you your citizenship!

Remind EPs on country presentation

At quality LCs, EPs will be doing country presentation to the LC, so remind EPs on preparing powerpoint presentation, food, and costumes.

Ensure quality communication throughout

After match, EP managers should ask EPs to proactively talk to TN manager and TN to find out more about job demand and country information. This sets them the expectation that you are there for serious internship, and will motivate them to give you a fulfilling internship. Stay communicated with your EPs after realization, to assist in any disputes that can arise. You may be far, but you may be the only source of help for the EP who can be helplessly alone in the new country!

Introduce previous EPs to the EPs

Yuan Tian introduced me an EP who did an internship in Nigeria, and Rina introduced me a lot of people who come from Cameroon. This helped me heaps in my preparation!