This document discusses potential problems trainees may face during their exchange and how to handle them. It differentiates between general mishaps and worst-case scenarios. Some issues addressed include no one picking the trainee up at the airport, the host AIESEC committee lacking capacity, homesickness, illness, and political unrest. The document emphasizes the importance of preparation, being proactive, and contacting AIESEC for support if issues arise. It also outlines procedures to follow if the host committee significantly fails in its responsibilities.

1. While You
Are Away
(Worse Case Scenarios)

2. Introduction
* Every country has a different current reality
* AIESEC in every country is different
* Therefore you need to be prepared for the chance that not
everything throughout your traineeship will go perfectly to plan
* Today’s session will differentiate between general mishaps
and worst case scenarios, and how to handle each situation

3. Differing Current Reality of Countries
• The culture, traditions, living conditions,
economic environment and other factors will
vary in every country
• Ensure that when you do your direct
preparation, you do the research necessary
to become familiar with such differing
conditions
• This will decrease the chance of
experiencing severe culture shock

4. Different Current Reality of AIESEC
• Dependent upon
– Time of year
– The capacity of the local committee
– The standard procedures which the country follows
– Portfolio structure
– The focus of the local committee
– Numbers vs AIESEC XP focus
Your experiences may differ greatly!

5. Necessity of Direct Preparation
Effective direct preparation is an excellent way to
ensure that ‘worst case scenario’ situations can be
avoided or dealt with accordingly

6. Problems
(challenges) That
May Arise
(and how to deal
with them)

7. No one turns
up at the
airport upon
your arrival

8. Key Points
• Before you leave you have confirmed who is
going to pick you up and you have confirmed
your flight arrival time
• You have the contact details of at least three
people from your host LC
• You have an address of where you are staying
• You have enough local currency to get a taxi to
where you are staying

9. The AIESEC
representative picks you
up, deposits you at your
designated
accommodation, then
disappears

10. Key Points
• Be proactive
• Before the representative leaves – find out
when they are coming back
• Call some AIESECers or trainees
• Get your guide book out

11. You were mugged
and your passport
was amongst the
stolen items

12. Key Points
• Report it to the police
• Contact your travel insurance company and make
a claim for your stolen property
• Contact home – someone should have a copy of
your documentation
• Phone / contact the Indonesian embassy as soon
as you can – they will advise you on what you
need to do

13. If AIESEC in the
host country
doesn’t have the
capacity to
integrate you
properly…

14. Key Points
• Meet up with other trainees or foreigners in
that country
• Get them to help you out
• See it as a challenge rather than as a burden

15. If AIESEC
don’t seem to
be contacting
you…

16. Key Points
• Contact them!
• Be proactive, if you try to get involved
with them they’ll more than likely want
to get involved with you.

17. Your job isn’t
challenging you
or you’re bored
with it

18. Key Points
• Speak to both your TN manager in the
host country and also to your employer
• Do some volunteer work
• Get a part time job on top of what you
are already doing

19. There is political
unrest in your
country

20. Key Points
• Don’t panic!
• Speak to locals – your colleagues, the AIESECers
• Contact the Indonesian Embassy – what is their
advice?
• Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
website
• Phone home – reassure your family

21. You are unhappy
with the
accommodation
arrangements that
AIESEC has
provided in your
host country

22. Key Points
• Be proactive, if you have enough money, find
somewhere else!
• Speak to the AIESECers – explain how you are
unhappy and ask for their help. They may not
realise it is unacceptable. But, Remember the
standardization about the “good”
accommodation is different from one country
and another.
• Speak to the other trainees – is there any
accommodation available?

23. The AIESECers are on
holiday or have exams
whilst you are there

24. Key Points
• Be proactive
• Try and find out information like this before
you arrive or as soon as you arrive – plan
for it.
• Hang out with trainees, other LCs or MC
• Be understanding – you know what it’s like
to be a university student! – AIESEC Is a
run-student Organization!

25. You are having
really poor
relations with your
first point of
contact within your
host LC and they
are making life
difficult

26. Key Points
• Speak to the person – address the
situation – can it be resolved?
• Speak to the LCP, EB and other LC
members
• Speak to the other trainees for advice

27. You become
seriously ill and
need hospital
treatment

28. Key Points
• When you arrive find out where your nearest
hospital and doctors are.
• Make sure you have travel insurance which
covers your medical needs
• Keep in contact with home and AIESEC In
Indonesia
• If you need to – come home.

29. You are suffering
from a bout of
homesickness

30. Key Points
• Bring photos or mementos from home on exchange
• Before leaving, schedule regular email or phone contact
with people back home
• Be proactive – get out and do something to break to
cycle
• Remain positive – the experience may help you appreciate
your life at home more
• Go sight-seeing
• Visit friends in the host country
• Care packages

31. The Importance of Remaining in
Contact With Us!
• No matter what happens whilst abroad
AIESEC LC UNAND, And AIESEC In
Indonesia is still there as a support network
• We not only need to know but also WANT to
know how your traineeship is coming along!
• If you are not getting the support necessary
we may be able to do something for you from
Indonesia.

32. The Worst Case Scenario
Exchange Quality Guidelines:
An official AIESEC document which outlines the
responsibilities of both host and sending LCs in regards to
your preparation, integration and reintegration
If the s e a re d ra s tic a lly bre a che d , the re a re
p ro c e dure s tha t c a n be fo llo we d (IXPQS 2009)

33. Outline of Procedures
Who to talk to and in what order. What the
outcome is likely to be.
Ultimately, it’s up to you!!

34. If things do go wrong...
• Address the situation as soon as
possible – you are only there for a
short time.
• Don’t expect the host LC to be
aware of the problem
• Host LC – can they help? Can the
MC help? Other AIESEC
contacts?

35. Conclusion
• Your traineeship may not go perfectly to plan
• There are lots of ways you can avoid these
situations from arising, and to deal with them if
they do arise
• If you do find yourself in a ‘worst case
scenario’ remember there are procedures you
can follow
• AIESEC LC UNAND and AIESEC Indonesia
will be here as a support network and a point
of contact throughout your entire traineeship