International exchanges and placements through IAESTE

IAESTE is a widespread non-profit organization that provides work exchange opportunities in over 80 countries. This exchange would be eligible to count towards engineering co-op or internship at UOIT, provided the work placement is related to engineering. Further information is provided below, in regards to the eligibility for 2006 exchange opportunities.

Canadian students who are currently in full time attendance at a university or college in Canada studying engineering, technical sciences or technologies such as agriculture and forestry, can be placed abroad through IAESTE Canada. Candidates must be 19-35 years old, and graduating students are eligible to take up positions in most countries with a starting date no later than Sept. 1st of their graduating year. Some countries (i.e. Germany) have restrictions on the placement of new graduates. Most jobs are for undergraduates who have completed three-quarters of their degree program. Students must be residing in Canada during the placement process and preference will be given to candidates who have not previously been placed through the program. IAESTE Network.

Placement may be arranged in any of the other member countries but there are very few places available in the developing countries. There are also countries that do not have offers of employment that are suitable for Canadian students. On the application form a student indicates a preference for at least three countries. These preferences will form the basis of advanced request lists that are sent out to other member countries in mid-December. Descriptions of the positions secured at the Exchange Conference will be circulated to all applicants early in February, usually by e-mail. Candidates will not be restricted to their original country choices. The number of jobs we are able to raise in Canada will determine the number of places available in other countries for Canadian students. We continue to exchange offers via the IAESTE intraweb system until late in the Spring.

Duration of Placements

The employment period on most IAESTE positions is 8-12 weeks during the summer months, but openings are available for students in co-operative programs for the Winter and Fall work term. Since there are usually only a few places available for a January start date, we recommend that students be willing to consider a placement at other times of the year as well to increase the chance of placement. We receive some long-term positions (up to 52 weeks) each year, mostly from the Scandinavian countries.

Language Requirements

English is the official language of the IAESTE Association and you will receive all written material in English. Some employers do ask for a working knowledge of the language spoken in their country and the application form indicates the countries that often have such requests.

Salary and Lodgings

Student salaries in foreign countries are usually considerably lower than in Canada, but are sufficient to cover the costs of food and lodging during the period of employment. Salaries paid are not sufficient to cover transportation and insurance costs. In 2005, salaries averaged approximately $1200. per month. Any offer of employment you receive will include the salary paid and an estimate of the total cost of living per month in that country. The receiving IAESTE Committee or the employer usually arranges affordable, student-type accommodations for the work term.

Travel Costs

Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements and costs and of obtaining their passport and visas or work permits if required. Most receiving IAESTE Committees arrange to have any necessary permits issued through their Embassy in Canada. Many foreign embassies charge a processing fee. IAESTE students must arrange and pay the premiums for full out-of-the-country medical insurance.

Job Assignment

Each IAESTE Committee secures offers from industrial, academic and other organizations to receive foreign students for temporary work. These offers are exchanged with other member countries on a reciprocal basis at the Exchange Conference late in January. Early in February, a list of the positions Canada received is circulated to all applicants (by e-mail) for consideration. Candidates are asked to return an application up-date form ranking those places of interest for which they meet all the requirements. The Canadian IAESTE Committee will screen the applicants and the most qualified candidate will be offered the position. Once a candidate accepts an offer, their file is forwarded to the employer for approval. We continue to exchange offers after the January conference on our IAESTE intraweb system.

Application Procedure

To apply you must submit one copy of the completed IAESTE application form, as well as the application fee. Two copies of all your post-secondary transcripts and a list of the course titles for the current academic session (if they do not appear on the transcript) must accompany the application. At least one copy of your transcript should be an original issued by your Registrar's office. Two copies of your resume (CV), including a detailed description of any relevant previous practical experience, must also be included with the application form and fee. Please type or print the answers to questions on the application form (especially your e-mail address). Ensure that your mailing address, both at home and at school, are complete (see checklist below).

Application Process

Please visit the IAESTE web site for official regulations, placements and annual submission deadlines

Regulations on IAESTE placements for 2006

Application Fee

Since IAESTE no longer receives any financial support from the Canadian government, we must be completely self-supporting. An application fee of $325. is charged to each student wishing to participate. Of this amount, $225 is refunded if a student is not offered a position he/she wishes to accept, provided all deadlines have been met. This fee must be sent with the application package, payable to IAESTE Canada. It must be paid in cash, certified cheque or money order. Cash should not be sent through the mail. No personal cheques or credit cards can be accepted. You can request the rebatable portion of your application fee at any time. Candidates who withdraw from the program after accepting an offer of employment will forfeit the entire fee.

Placement Fee

Once a candidate accepts a position of employment, there will be a placement fee of $200. to cover the costs of arranging the necessary documents.

Deadline Date

All applications must be received in the IAESTE office by December 9, 2005. Please allow sufficient time for delivery. Late applications will not be accepted. If you are interested in a January placement, your application should reach our office by early October. If you are interested in a Fall placement, you will still have to register by Dec. 9th. Your application will be acknowledged and you will be provided with information on responding to the list of offers you will receive in February.

Application Checklist

One copy of the application form
Certified cheque or money order in the amount of $325 payable to IAESTE Canada.
Two copies of your postsecondary transcripts (one original and one photocopy)
Two copies of a list of the courses (with titles) you are currently registered in, if the course titles do not appear on the transcript
Two copies of your resume or CV

Any other information you would like to provide to enhance your chance of placement is welcome.

Contact Information

Any service offered by Canada Post, including XPressPost and Priority Courier:

IAESTE Canada
P.O. Box 1473
Kingston, ON K7L 5C7

Telephone: 613 - 533-2030
Fax: 613 - 533-6869
e-mail: canada@iaeste.org