This document provides information about IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), which has arranged over 4000 international internships per year since 1948. It describes the application process for KU Leuven students to obtain paid internships abroad lasting 6-8 weeks in engineering, science, agriculture and other fields. Students fill out several forms, submit a CV and motivation letter, and may be selected to intern at a research institute or company. The local IAESTE committee helps coordinate housing, activities and support for international interns.

2.  What is IAESTE?
 Who can go?
 Where will I end up?
 How does an internship work?
 Why go? + Testimonials
 How to apply?
 What can I do for IAESTE?

3.  International Association for the Exchange of
Students for Technical Experience
 Since 1948
 International:
 > 80 countries
 > 4000 internships/year
 Belgium:
 > 100 offers/year

4.  Finding internships = jobraising
 Exchanging internships with other countries
 Receiving trainees: “Summer Reception”
• But also throughout the year




International dinner nights
Movie nights
Weekends
…

6.  Finding internships = jobraising
 Exchanging internships with other countries
 Receiving trainees: “Summer Reception”
 Sending trainees

7. Worldwide: internships per study area
Engineering and
Technology
66%
Others
7%
Agriculture
2%
Architecture and
other Applied Arts
9%
Science
16%

8. Engineers: internships per department
Mechanical
18%
Computer
[WAARDE]%
Others
13%
Civil
[WAARDE]%
Aeronautical
2%
Food Technology
3%
Electrical
[WAARDE]%
Biotechnology
3%
Telecommunications
3%
Industrial
3%
Environmental
4%
Electronics
[WAARDE]%
Chemical
[WAARDE]%

9.  Prerequisites:
•
•
•
•
From 3rd Bachelor till 2 years after graduation
Student or degree from KU Leuven at engineering faculty
Good fit for the position you’re applying for
Feel like going on an international adventure!

11. …
…

12.  Duration:
• Usually 6-8 weeks (summer)
• But can be longer: up to 18 months
 Work:
• Internship at a research institute or a company
• Very diverse:
 Concise description beforehand (B-form)
• Internships are always “paid”
 Sufficient to cover expenses in that country
• First contact always through IAESTE

13.  Activities:
• Through IAESTE in host country
 Organisation depends from country to country
 Usually you are not the only trainee around
• With other interns or employees
• Own initiative
 Accomodation:
• Taken care of by IAESTE or by the company
 Apartment
 Student housing
 Host family

14.  Practical experience
 Companies see international experience as
a large plus!
 Possible to acquire 3 or 6 ECTS credits
 Independent, but not alone
 International group of friends
 Discover the world!
…

15. Apply online through IBAS:
ibas.iaestecentre.net
 A-form
5/11 – 15/12
 B-form
30/1 - 18/2
 Nomination 25/2
 C-form
26/2 - 4/3
 D-form
basic info
start application
internships assigned
contact with company
you can go!
 Dates are subject to change
• Keep up to date through our facebook-page
• Sign up to email newsletter

16.  Collect basic info
• Personal info (name, address)
• Favourite countries
• Specialization and year of study
 No further commitment:
• You are not required to fill in further forms
• You are not required to go on an internship in a country you listed
 Is required: no A-form is no internship!

20.  Pick a Top 3 from available offers
 Detailed description of each offer
•
•
•
•
Study level: (Begin)/Middle/End
Faculty
Language skills
Period
 CV and motivation letter (English!)
• Convince IAESTE that you are the best choice
• VTK and LBK organize a Career Evening with a lecture on how to
write a good CV on Wednesday October 30th, 19h45 in aula Jean
Monnet

22. How do we assign internships?
 Not based on:
• University; KUL, VUB and UGent are equal
 Based on:
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Your dedication to IAESTE

23. Congratulations! You have been selected to go!
 Now convince the company: CV and motivation letter
 Student nominated form
 ID photo
 Pay an expense fee
• Non-scholarship student: 125 euro
• Scholarship student: 60 euro
• To cover administrative fees

24.  Company accepts your application
 N5b-form: internship is now fixed!
 What do you still have to do?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get airline tickets
Inform internship coordinator of your faculty
Get insured (accidents and liability)
Get a Visa (LC of your destination will send you the required info)
Possible vaccinations
…

25.  You’re one step ahead in the selection process if you help
us with:
• Job raising
 More job raisers = more internships = larger selection for you!
 Min 5 companies per job raiser
• Organizing activities
 Summer reception or during the year
• Finding accommodation for incoming trainees
• Help with general tasks of our LC
•…
 Interested? Contact us! iaeste@vtk.be

26. Zakariya:
Sata’a:
Raid:
Maitham:
Cholo:
Mohamed:
Talal:
Hussein:

27.  Then remember:
• Internships = from 3rd Bach till 2 years after graduation
• Internships = minimum 6 weeks (up to 18 months)
 Usually 6-8 weeks in summer
• Internships = in a research institution or a company
 Possible to get 3/6 credits if in a company
• Internships = always paid to cover expenses there
• Internships = more than just the internship!




Local LC arranges activities
International friends
Discovering different cultures
…
 So fill in the A-form on IBAS! ibas.iaestecentre.net

28. Feel free to ask us any questions now!
 or through iaeste@vtk.be
 or through facebook.com/iaeste.belgium.leuven