My last country visit was in Colombia. It was definitely a great country to end off my visits. The first CEEDer in my LC when I joined was from Colombia LC Cali and since then the country has always been a place that I've wanted to see and visit.

The visit was quite interesting as Ivan (the MCP) and I had switched places; he was in Rotterdam at the steering team meeting, and I was sitting as his desk in Colombia. Nevertheless the visit was packed yet again with meetings, planning LC development, heading for the future sessions and much more. On the weekend I also had the opportunity to get to know the current and incoming LCPs in the Presidents Meeting where they finalized the priorities for 2007 among other important decisions.

During my stay I had the opportunity to participate in a learning circle for Alcance Social, a project which address the issue of displacement and displaced people in Colombia. It was incredible to hear government officials, NGOs, trainees, and other AIESECers speak so passionately about what needs to be done in Colombia to address these challenges. Below a picture of me with the OC team, 3 of the trainees in Bogota (from India, the US, and Canada), and Bee from the MC (responsible for projects). Keep doing what you're doing, it's amazing the impact you're having!


I yet again, as in other countries, encountered a part of myself in Colombia in the form of a fruit from the Amazons (see below).

And my adventure came full circle as in my last day in Colombia, Oriana and I were able to meet up. It was wonderful to meet the person who believed in me and prepared me to take on this incredible opportunity.

As I was saying goodbye to the MC, I did not want to leave as I had suddenly started to realize that my adventure had finally come to an end. Below is the picture we took just before I had to head to the airport.

I'm now back in cold Canada missing hearing and speaking Spanish and especially missing all of the wonderful and amazing individuals that inspired me throughout this trip. Thank you so much SSGN for your hospitality, kindness, listening to my funny Spanish, giving me a new nickname, and welcoming me to your countries!

 
Posted by Araz at 01:39  | 3 comments

I had the opportunity to spend almost 2 lovely weeks in Central America in Guatemala and El Salvador. And lucky me, it just so happened that my flight to Guatemala from Venezuela had a stop in Costa Rica...so I got to see another Central American country and the lovely MC and LC EB at UCR.

Central America is again a place like I never imagined. First of all it is SO green, lush, and tropical. Second of all it is cold and rainy in some places (that part I did not like so much but I guess you need it for all the beautiful greenery). Third it is relatively high up since there's mountains everywhere.

Guatemala
My country visit started off with a dinner with the Supervisory Group and the MC members and I was so amazed and happy to see the incredible support this group gives to AIESEC in this country! The week was filled with different meetings to plan PBoXes, speaking with potential partners, long-term planning (a few of the topics of the many we covered) AND lots of cultural activities. I had the opportunity to go to Antigua (a place where everyone MUST go...very romantic!) Below a picture of me and the MC after we had finished an INTENSE MC meeting.

 
Posted by Araz at 01:09  | 0 comments

So continuing my visit schedule next stop was my South Asia leg, beginning in Sri Lanka. This last leg is the last leg of my visits and my 12th country on the road, but how can I feel tired when I arrive to a greeting like the one I received in Sri Lanka. I was met at the airport by AIESECers from the MC and LCs, who promptly gave me a 'traditional' welcome, which involved chanting and waving leaves around before asking me to eat them :P. It was only after putting it in my mouth I realised the joke was on me :). From there I drank from a coconut before heading off to my homestay. What an interesting reception it was indeed.

People ask me if I am worried about my South Asia leg ahead, as many people talk about the conflict they see on CNN, BBC, etc. If only CNN gave you the whole picture you would quickly realise that there is more to the area than the conflict they report on. I was received so warmly in Sri Lanka, and even though I was in an element so completely foreign to that I am used to, I almost felt like I belonged :). Quite a feat I have to say given the short amount of time I actually had in the country. I suppose that is because of the kindness and generosity showed to be my the many AIESEC members I had a chance to interact with. From my homestay where I was staying with one of the most hospitable families I have ever met, to the various members who took me to and from the office everyday, as well as showing me around Colombo.

Read the rest of the post at http://ryan.nomadlife.org/.

 
Posted by Ryan at 08:59  | 0 comments

It is hard to believe that I have visited 11 countries in just over two months, and even more hard to believe that there are still 4 more to go! I am back in Asia now, after my visit to the 'P' in AP. First stop was Australia and the city of Sydney. Now the last time I was in Sydney was 2001, my first year in AIESEC, and I attended the Australian Model United Nations Conference with a group of friends from AIESEC New Zealand. I shared this story a lot of time while I was in Aussie, that on the last day of that trip I was mugged at lunch time in the city centre. After my trip back I am glad I didn't let that experience be my last impression of Sydney, as I found myself learning to really like Sydney, despite the very quick visit.

The first sign I was entering the Pacific part of the world was arriving in Sydney airport, and when going through immigration I was allowed to go through the Australian... and New Zealand passport lane (although back home in NZ it is called the New Zealand and Australian passport lane instead :P). After going through customs the first stop, after dropping my bags off at the MC flat and some opening meetings, was the Pie Shop. Yum yum yum, nothing beats a great meat pie which I have been missing for the last six months. Chowing down on a good pie is something that I used to do regularly back home in NZ (maybe too regularly...).

Read the rest of the post at http://ryan.nomadlife.org/

 
Posted by Ryan at 05:47  | 0 comments

 
Posted by G at 12:30  | 0 comments

I’ve now been on the continent for over a month and started off in Peru after having finished my country visit with CAS in Panama. When I look back at the last month I still find it hard to believe that I have been in 6 different countries in one month! Since this blog entry is 6 countries, I’m keeping it short…but I have way more to say and to share about my experiences and what AIESEC is like in these countries!

Peru
This country was for me a dream coming to life. I had always read the Tintin books when I was younger, and two of them were about Peru. I never thought that I would get the chance to go there myself!

The week in Peru was quite busy with different meetings and on the weekend a chance to meet all of the EB members of AIESEC in Peru at a meeting focused on making the global direction come to life in the LCs.

Below, me with the MC of AIESEC in Peru!



Bolivia
From the moment I arrived in Bolivia to when I left I was completely in awe of my surroundings. La Paz looked so completely different than anywhere I had ever been. The city is very high in the mountains and as a result it is hard to breathe and when you’re not used to it, it’s very easy to get dizzy. Luckily I had some great people who took care of me, making sure I had tea and was not running around too much!

The MC team is split between La Paz and Cochabamba. I had the opportunity to meet with the whole team in the two cities and to also meet with the LCs in La Paz and Cochabamba.

Below a picture with the MC and an EB member in La Paz.



A picture with the LC members in Cochabamba!



ConoSur (Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay)
In Buenos Aires I felt like I was in Europe; the architecture is very European and the people all look either Spanish, Italian, Greek. The Spanish is VERY different than anywhere else, so it was a bit challenging trying to understand everyone.

The MC team in ConoSur is currently spread out over the three countries to work directly with the LCs in establishing a new generation of members in each of the countries and making sure that ConoSur starts on a path of sustainable growth. As a result, not all the MC was able to be in Buenos Aires since two of them stayed in Chile, however I had quite a packed week with the 4 members of the team in Buenos Aires.

Below a picture of me with the MC and Sarah who is the coordinator for the Kellogg partnership on the SSGN board, eating a traditional Argentinean dinner at midnight (all MEAT!).



Brazil
Sao Paolo is a HUGE city; and therefore meetings with companies can take long because a. the meetings are quite long and b. it takes a long time to get from one place to another. So with this context coordinating all the meetings for the visit itself was quite interesting! Rodrigo (MC VP ER) and I definitely made a great sales team!

Intense is the best word which describes my visit in Brazil. Being in Brazil I got to also meet with two of the other GN Board members, Piret and Filipe. So as a result, my time in Brazil was packed from morning to night and I loved every minute of it (even when somehow discussions managed to go very late in the evening...)

Unfortunately I have no pics of Brazil and the beautiful MC team (long story not to be shared on this blog!)

Ecuador
Arriving in Quito was a bit like arriving in La Paz; both cities are quite high up and are surrounded by mountains. The first day in Quito was packed with meetings with government officials, the UN, partners and in the evening myself and Franchesca (MCP Ecuador) headed to Guayaquil where the MC is located.

It was my birthday in Ecuador and I got a surprise party (something I completely did not expect at all!) It was so nice and my first birthday in another country than Canada. Below are the flowers, cake, and me with the MC and LC members in Guayaquil.



Venezuela
When I stepped out of the airport in Venezuela I was welcomed by heat. From Peru to Ecuador the weather was generally quite cold so I was so happy to be in a very warm climate again.

Currently there are elections taking place in Venezuela which makes for interesting conversations and a country that is completely plastered with campaign posters.

In each of the countries myself and MC members have been having meetings with companies/organizations/government about the Ser Más program and talking about how they can get involved with one or more of the issue projects. One of the issues is Corporate Responsibility. In Venezuela though there are laws which regulate companies and oblige them to engage in socially responsible activities. As a result of these laws, companies are immediately more open to working on the CR project with AIESEC in Venezuela so there is definitely a lot of potential to make successful CR projects happen in Venezuela!

I’m now on my way to Guatemala and after my visit there, I will have 2 countries left before my adventure ends…

 
Posted by Araz at 01:34  | 2 comments

Hello everyone,
I couldn’t resist not writing you about an amazing thing that happened to me. Exactly week ago I had the chance to be a chair of the first national conference of AIESEC Expansion initiative in Jordan and I have to thank Monika, Annika and Oksana – the Expansion team - for the great job they have done. Just consider: three girls in Arabic country managed to recruit 65 new members from two universities and also and attract about 12 externals into the first conference which they managed fully fundraise for!!!

The conference happened in the beautiful city of Aquaba, sea-resort on the South of Jordan. However, as it is a usually happens on AIESEC conference, we did not much see from the town☺. I do not think that sightseeing was on our mind when we came there, we were pretty nervous about the conference that was about to start and which was supposed to kick-off teams for their PBoXes. We knew that people would come to the conference with the greatest expectations and ambitions, so we could only hope that we will be able keep all the promises and make their experience unforgettable.

When reflecting back, I think that the biggest fear I had was how to make sure that we will be challenging enough for people to think, talk and do the things in a way as never ever before and at the same time not to offend individual dignity and values, since our uncertainty about the cultural and religious perceptions. I think this balancing on the edge between “too much” and “too little” was one of the biggest learning for me and I believe for the others on the faci team as well (Paja, Asier, Sami and Tamer).

Some of the best moments of the conference:
- Definitely the opening plenary, when I for the first time felt the energy in the room (and I made the first roll-call☺).
- Session about Identity, which raised some of the toughest questions about the basic principles AIESEC such as non-discrimination and independency, and definitely created one of the most passionate discussions. I understand that there are universal principles uniting us regardless our country of origin or religion we practice.
- Session for guests about AIESEC, where I have understood some of the reasons why AIESEC is relevant not only in Jordan but in MENA as well. It is great to see that AIESEC in Jordan has such a strong supporters (thank you Mr. Walid).
- Midnight talks on the beach with some delegates about the personal values and what is everyone’s individual responsibility to choose them.

I must say that I felt great amongst new AIESECers there. It has been definitely one of my best moments in the organization so far and I wish all the best for Jordan and for all the expansion countries. The work you are doing makes sense and I am sure that you will find its rewards in the new members, so as the Expansion team in Jordan.

 
Posted by Ondro at 10:12  | 5 comments