What is IAESTE?

A global work experience programme   

Administered by the British Council, IAESTE UK is in fact one national member organisation in an international association which now extends to over 85 countries that aims:

To provide science, engineering and applied arts undergraduates with training experience abroad relevant to their studies    
To offer UK employers well qualified and motivated foreign trainees   
To be a source of cultural enrichment for trainees and their host employers   

Founded at Imperial College in 1948, IAESTE arranges paid course-related vacation training abroad on a reciprocal exchange basis so that in every participating country IAESTE trainees are both entering and leaving for placements.

Since its foundation IAESTE has exchanged in excess of 300,000 students worldwide, playing a key role in the development of engineers and scientists able to make their mark in a global economy. Over 22,000 of these students have been from the United Kingdom.

IAESTE provides a service to three target constituencies: employers, students, and academic institutions. The programme is employer-led in that no exchange can be arranged until a commitment has been made by an employer to take in a foreign student. Participating employers may be in industry as well as research and academic institutions.

The exchange of trainees is conducted on a reciprocal basis between member countries. The pivotal point in the IAESTE administrative calendar is the annual conference which is held each January in one of the member countries. At the conference, as well as deciding on policy issues and voting on membership, delegates from member organisations meet in a series of bilateral meetings over the course of five days during which the upcoming exchange year is defined.

IAESTE offices are also responsible for the administration of all stages of the placements through visa/work permit applications (where necessary) to accommodation arrangements and setting up social/cultural activities for the visiting trainees.

Over the years IAESTE has created lasting friendships around the world, fostered international business and research links, assisted in the preparation and recruitment of an international workforce, and broken down cultural and linguistic barriers.