AIESEC in France

Summary of topic: A way to meet new people and build your CV

What is AIESEC?

If you want to make friends, JOIN AIESEC! AIESEC* is a global youth leadership organisation that sends people on exchanges to do internships or volunteering.  

AIESEC in France has small local committees in many cities. For example there is one in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse etc. 

AIESEC is also present in the UK, for example Glasgow, Aberdeen, Bristol etc. I was part of AIESEC in Glasgow.

What does being a member look like?

As part of the AIESEC team in your city, you would be helping to facilitate these exchanges abroad, not actually going on them.

You meet new people and learn skills such as:

• management
• marketing
• public speaking
• leadership
• team work
• graphic design
• time management

It's an international organisation so they speak English. However being in France, they often spoke French when I attended meetings and socials. It's a really good way to improve your French too.

I was on the marketing team, so I helped create promotional posts in both French and English. Here is an example of one of my posts:

How can I join?

They usually recruit in February and September. This might have changed though. You can find their social medias and get in touch with them on Facebook or Instagram. See more about the recruitment process here*.

 You can DM them and ask about their recruitment process.

You don't have to be a student but it is preferred. As long as you are between 18 - 30 years old you are eligible. You don't need any sort of qualification to get in.

What's it like being a new member?

When you are recruited you will most likely be recruited with other new people so it won't just be you new to the group. Everyone in AIESEC is really friendly and you meet up outside of meetings. You will always have someone to talk to and there are plenty of networking opportunities. Myself and some girls from AIESEC often went exploring the city! It was so much fun. It's a good idea to maybe ask someone you get along with to go exploring because it's something to do and the conversation will flow!

These are some pictures of my first day exploring Lyon with these girls.

We all got matching friendship bracelets on our trip away to Annecy!

Some of my closest friends in France were from AIESEC. We went on trips away together, celebrated my birthday and met up often. I would never have made the memories and friends I did without joining. So, if you are struggling to meet people I would definitely recommend AIESEC!

*Please note that all hyperlinks are in the colour red.