by Jennifer Liu
Studying abroad is a staple of the 21st century collegiate culture. Students today are exposed to opportunities to expand their global mindset during their undergraduate studies. And with MU Info sending out emails and reminders every week, it can get overwhelming to determine just where to start on your global trek to a better international understanding.
Cue in AIESEC. The Mizzou chapter of AIESEC is part of the largest student-run organization in the world, present in over 100 countries and with over 60,000 individual members. As an organization, AIESEC has two components: to send local students to other countries to pursue international internships, as well as bring international students to the United States for internship opportunities.
Kiran Kaur, Mizzou Committee President, was introduced to the organization through her friends two years ago and was intrigued in the global aspect of the group.
“I’ve always had an international mindset and I like to talk to people from different countries or who had traveled to other countries,” Kaur said.
Not only has involvement helped her develop a global awareness beyond the Mizzou campus, but she has also gained invaluable leadership skills as president and business insight in working with larger international corporations to make exchanges possible.
“What I love about being in AIESEC is that it’s a business organization with an international mindset,” Kaur said. “I love working with the companies and organizations, anything that opens my eyes to other places that are different from my own home.”
To operate the large organization and work with other international chapters, AIESEC is divided into five committees: outgoing exchange, incoming exchange, human resources, marketing and finances. One of the vice presidents of outgoing exchange, Sam Lin, is gearing up for a campaign to start recruiting exchange participants for the upcoming summer season.
“We believe in producing global-minded leaders,” Lin said. “AISEC provides a fair amount of opportunities for each leader to build up a global awareness and be well-connected to the world.”
While the organization just finished up spring semester recruitment, adding 15 members to work on internal operations, AIESEC will continue the process of recruiting applicants to intern abroad over the summer. More information can be found on their Facebook page as to when informational sessions, application deadlines and interviews will be scheduled. Once applicants complete this process, they will work with Mizzou AIESEC members to develop a contract with another AIESEC chapter in the country of their choice and set up an international internship agreement.
Speaking of study abroad, check out our article on the Rwanda Study Abroad program.
The Missouri Atlas 