AIPT History

1948: Dr. Karl Compton, President of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), MIT's Board of Trustees and Earl Eames, a graduating senior in chemical engineering active in student government, seek ways to rebuild war-torn Germany.

1950: IAESTE United States is formed. The organization's first exchanges occur when 37 American engineering students travel abroad and 30 international trainees arrive in the United States for short-term training assignments.

1980: AIPT (Association for International Practical Training) is formed when IAESTE United States grows to include non-technical exchange programs.

2010: Celebrating its 60th anniversary, AIPT has assisted more than 75,000 people experience life and culture in another country through cultural exchange programs. A growing number of AIPT alumni are now visible leaders in their industries, professional fields and communities.