AIESECer's experience: Ajla Šoše

 By: Unknown    06:27  AIESECers Experience, LC posts   No comments

Ajla came to work for AIESEC Jyväskylä during February 2014 as a CEEDer, where she got to help our local committee with talent management. Here's what she had to say about AIESEC Jyväskylä as and LC and what she got to experience during her month as an AIESEC "intern".

MY EXPERIENCE IN AIESEC Jyväskylä

"My name is Ajla Šoše and I come from Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I study Genetics and Bioengineering, and I have been an AIESECer for more than three years. In AIESEC, I realized how much I can do to change my society, how much we as young people can influence the world, how I can develop myself and people around me, and more importantly – in AIESEC I found my true friends, all around the world, who became my second family.

Throughout these three years, I have worked in many teams – as a member of a team dealing with human resources of AIESEC Sarajevo, a member of a team organizing a local conference, as Vice President for Talent Management, and then as National Education Manager, which is still my current role in AIESEC Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, I always wanted to experience CEEDership (Cultural Envoy for Exchange Development), which I considered as crown of my AIESEC career and experience. I saw this opportunity offered by AIESEC Jyväskylä, and I decided to apply, even though I thought I had no chance. After I received an email from Anna, Local Committee President, saying that I was elected as CEEDer, I was thrilled, ecstatic, excited; it was all surreal to me and I could not believe it. One month in Jyväskylä, in Finland, was like a dream coming true.

Finland has always been so interesting to me; beautiful, yet so mysterious. But what did I know about it? Well, pretty much nothing. I knew that it was a cold, cold country, where people speak a funny language, a country with numerous lakes, a country where Santa was born, and where they like heavy metal music. And that was it. As much as I googled it, I knew that I could really get to know the country and people once I got there. So I was just waiting for that February 1st in my calendar.

Once I landed, my first impression was “well it's not that cold!“ (throughout my stay in Finland, -2 was the lowest temperature), so I started regretting bringing so many warm clothes (I was picturing myself going through the snowstorm, with reindeer all around, with my eyebrows and eyelashes completely frozen). Soon, I will realize that Finland is not such cold country as I thought it would be – in any way. The common prejudice of whole Scandinavian region is that people are very cold, reserved, who do not like to talk and share anything and they like to be by themselves. As soon as I saw Anna on the bus station, I knew that I was all wrong.

Jyväskylä is an international student city, as well as the city of AIESEC Jyväskylä, so I had the opportunity to spend time and work with people from all around the world – The Netherlands, Turkey, China, Ukraine, Kenya, Greece, France. Apart from my general job description, which was to assist in recruitment and other events held by AIESEC Jyväskylä, we had a lot of free-time activities (sauna was number one, of course!), and I also had the opportunity to meet students who were studying in Jyväskylä by ERASMUS, thanks to my great roommate, Monika. This global network is one thing that I value the most; now I have people from all around the Europe, even the world, who I can stay with.

During my stay, we organized the local conference – Local AIESEC Seminar – which was held for potential new members. This opportunity provided me another experience, which challenged me and made me to step out of my comfort zone; I had the honor and great pleasure to chair this conference. During that time, I bonded a lot with people I worked the most with – Anna, Talvikki, Piia, Kim and Marianne. They have shown me once again why I am still in AIESEC, they inspired me with their life experiences and challenges, and with them I lost every single prejudice I had about Finland and the Finns. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and proud and happy that I can call them my friends.

I fell truly, madly and deeply in love with this country; with everything about it. I have never felt anywhere so safe and secure, and in the end, so accepted. My friends told me that I would not have culture shock in Finland. Well, they were wrong once again, just as I was. My culture shock was that everything is so perfect, that everyone is so calm and polite (and I thought the Brits were the best in this). I ate bread with raspberry jam and whipped cream on top in the sauna, I made my first sushi, I drank the most expensive beer in my life, and at the same time the most disgusting one, I realized that Moomins are from Finland, that people go partying with overalls, I walked on the frozen lake. The only thing I regret is not staying longer. One month was not enough to experience everything I wanted, to explore, to travel, to spend more time with those great people.

That little country, far in the north, with cold wind and lot of snow, has a special place in my heart. When I think about my time spent in Finland, I smile because I know it was unique experience which changed me to some extent, which changed my life perspective, which showed me how people from this country are special. At times, it was a bit difficult to adjust, because I come from different background, mentality, way of thinking and perspective. However, I realized that not everything is what it seems like, that every country and every city has a story to tell. This experience taught me that we should grab any opportunity that comes along, it restored my faith to myself and made me proud of who I am and where I come from.

Most importantly, this experience taught me that nothing is impossible. I believed that one girl from a small country cannot contribute to Finland in any way, but I was wrong. I learned that dreams are never too big and that there are no boundaries when we are passionate about something.

I am grateful for this experience and all people who made every day of it special and memorable. I always say that we will remember people and moments with those people, and I am proud to say that I have a lot of stories to tell, true friends I gained throughout this journey and I will cherish those memories whole my life.

Finland and Jyväskylä, we will meet again, I promise. I know."

Ajla (second from the left) at the mini LAS

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AIESECer's experience: Joan Avit

 By: Unknown    03:56  AIESECers Experience, GIP, ICX   No comments

Joan came to Jyväskylä for a GIP internship at Agora research center in 2013. This is her reflection of the experience.

"Am Joan Avit, From Tanzania. I Studied Bachelor in Economics from Mzumbe University in Tanzania graduated in 2012, then went for one year leadership role in AIESEC in Ethiopia national board while working as a consultant in one of the institutes from June 2012 to June 2013. I knew about AIESEC in my first year of campus, from advert of the Info sessions they had posted around the campus and being briefed about how the info session was and about the organization from one of my best friend who attended the info session. I came to Finland to participate in the professional internship offered in Jyväskylä, Finland through AIESEC Global Internship Programme.

From January 2013 I started planning my next step, I wanted to further challenge myself and wished that my next experience to be out of Africa. I however still wished for a unique project that I can still relate to Africa in one way or another. As I was in search of different internship opportunities offered by AIESEC, having known my interest in research and something related to Africa a friend recommended the GIP from Jyväskylä, Finland, which was to deal with desk research on African countries but done in Agora center research institute. I choose Finland and this internship in particular because I knew that Finland and the institute in particular is among the best in Research and Development hence believed that I would learn a lot through taking up a GIP in search an environment in a short interval of time and with it I would also have inspiration to help figure out my next step in my academic growth/path. 

While traveling I have learnt to have as minimal expectations as possible so as to be able to enjoy whatever comes in the way with it, so have to admit I had minimal expectations of Finland as a country. However I ensured I was aware of the basic and general information about the project I was going to work in and what I was going to do and some basic details such as logistical information, basic language words, financial system, do and don’t etc, just the basics I thought might be essential in one way or another. I however tried to learn as much as I could about the project so as to have better contribution to it within the short limited of time I would be there. I expected the project to be challenging (in a good way) but most of all help me grow personally and professionally in the research field through exploring me to the research world.

I loved this project because the Project descriptions did not only match but surpassed expectations. I was mainly conducting desk research on the educations system focusing in pre-primary to primary education in selected Africa countries. And additionally designed a feasibility plan on GraphoGame approach in Tanzania primary schools. With external reality (apart from project related matter), even with minimal expectation I was still not sure if I would easily cop up with new environment with completely different realities from what I was used to. However this happened to be easier than expected from day one as I was having extra ordinary support and assistance The AIESEC EB Team and other AIESECer, The project team and any external I would need assistance from at any encounter.

Joan and members of LC Jyväskylä

They were a lot of memorable moments right from the first welcoming party which was prepared on the same day I arrived. This really helped me feel at home. I got to partially experience two seasons (summer and winter) and  fully experience Autumn. I was so happy to see snow and the autumn colors ( I love nature). Other memorable moments from my stay in Finland were visiting Lappajärvi (I will always be thankful to Talvikki and her wonderful family for this J) and visiting other places in Jyväskylä such as Tiiakatemia and Christmas market. I also had lots of conversations with the project team at the office.

Been the first time in Europe, it’s almost like every day had its special experience with something new to learn, the advancement in technology and the way its best integrated to make life easier. Environmental consciousness and looking into alternative possibilities that maybe if would have been used in some of the African countries could help in solving problem like traffic jam, health etc. 

I would recommend anyone to come to Finland and Jyväskylä in particular because its one of the cities with the best in it, lots of multicultural youth interaction and many university students too - hence a lot to learnJ. And most of all the people are very friendly to make your experience as smooth as it should be."

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AIESECer's experience: Trinh Nguyen

 By: Unknown    11:58  OGX   No comments

Trinh is an AIESECer from Germany, who participated in the Global Citizen program in Colombia. The following is her OGX experience, edited by Joanna Mäki-Valkama.

"My name is Trinh Nguyen. I am a 21 years old Vietnamese-German AIESECer from Stuttgart/Heidelberg Germany. In Germany I study psychology.

I had my AIESEC experience in Colombia, in a project which taught kindergarteners and pre-schoolers English. I heard about AIESEC from my mentor in the university. A CEEDer (Cultural Envoy for Exchange Development) from Colombia recommended the city, after which I found my project from the database.
Prior to arriving I expected Colombia to have warm, open minded people and a beautiful countryside. I also considered it a little bit dangerous, and expected I'd have to have a lot of spontaneity. And not too keen on looking at the time! From the project I expected to get to teach kids as well as being supported and appreciated by the teachers.
Did project description and reality match? Well yes and no, I didn't do as much planning as I thought I would be doing. I didn't know about the importance of religion to kindergarten teaching either but other than that everything was as I expected it to be. I supported and helped the teachers during their lessons and taught English vocabulary through songs, talking with the kids and nursery rhymes. I also got to present things about my own country in their weekly assemblies. I even taught English to the teachers!
Working with kids is really hard but also rewarding! You feel so proud hearing them start singing a song you just taught them out loud! I would recommend this project to anyone who loves children, is patient but has the ability to raise their voice when needed."

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AIESECer's experience: Thyara Antonielle Demarchi

 By: Unknown    01:02  AIESECers Experience, ICX, Kindergarten project   No comments

Thyara worked for the Kindergarten Project in kindergarten Meritähti during January-February 2014, here's what she had to say about her experience.

"Hello everyone, my name is Thyara Antonielle Demarchi and I’m 25 years old. I’m from south of Brazil, a city called Blumenau, in the state of Santa Catarina. Nowadays I’m doing my Master’s degree of Education, and my thesis is about the teacher training in Finland, especially at Universities of Jyväskylä and Helsinki.

I found out about AIESEC, got in contact, did the interview and they accepted me. The project was perfect for me, because I’ve already worked in Kindergartens for the last 5 years in Brazil.

As I said before, about the Master’s degree, I’m studying the Finnish system of education, but, with focus on teacher training in Finland. I’ve been studying about Finland almost two years. I read something about the culture, politics, economy and education. 

My expectations on the project were the best ever, and I couldn't wait to go and do it. Now, I can say how happy I’m with all I achieved during those 6 weeks. Participating in this kind of project make me think how better I can be as a person and a professional. Now I feel the difference, and how I miss the children from the Kindergarten and my host family. They all received me so well, and I felt like home.

At the Kindergarten I worked during 6 weeks teaching few words in English, playing with the kids, going outside, helping the teachers at the kitchen, anyway, so many things, and I loved so much!!!

I learned to do skating, I tried to do snowboard and skiing, I played so many games with the kids, I improved my drawings, I meet so many people, I made lots of friends, and I was so happy with all of this. I wish I could go back one day, and say thank to everyone, who helped me and shared all the knowledge and happiness. Thank you Jyväskylä! Thank you AIESEC! Thank you to my host family and to Meritähti Kindergarten.

Nowadays everybody is asking me about this experience, and I recommend to all my friends. All my family and friends can see something different in me, and I believe it, I feel different, because I made a difference on people’s lives."

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AIESECer's experience: Selena Liu

 By: Unknown    08:06  AIESECers Experience, ICX, Kindergarten project   No comments

Selena spent 6 weeks during spring 2014 working in Jyväskylä for the Kindergarten project at Kindergarten Majakkasaari. This is her story:

Selena and Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

Finland, the fairytale…

I am Selena from China, my hometown is a rather small but beautiful city called Changzhou. I am now a junior student in Tianjin Normal University, majoring in International economics and trade. 

Karjalanpiirakka made by Selena

When I am now sitting at my desk, recalling my memories, everything seems to be still happening… I still remember when I first caught the news of the AIESEC Finland on the website of AIESEC, how excited I was. I didn't even think of anything before I sent my first letter to the deputy (Talvkki), I was desperate to go to that country. At that time, the reason for going to Finland was so simple---- I wanted to gain a better understand how that beautiful country develops so well on all kinds of sides，and has so many well-known things and people - Nokia, Angry Bird, Santa Claus and my hero KIMI.

I have a lot of stories I want to share with you, one and a half month’s life is a quite long time and every minute a bulk of stuff seems to happen. My eyes seem to be like a digital camera and my brain seems to be like a USB as well. The paper has limit but the feelings do not….

Jyväskylä city church

That night was cold when I first came to Finland. After the long flight and the bus trip, finally I found my friend Talvikki was there, waiting for me….. That moment I realized, unlike leaving for work or studies in my country, everything would be quite different in another country! The culture, the language, the food, even the hair and skin color of the people... But that moment you just feel like you just gone to another your home. It is true, I got another family.

When I first came to Finland on that cold evening, when I first viewed this country - of which I only learnt from in my geography class - through the window of the bus, I told myself this was the real Finland. Everything was like a fairy tale, the snow everywhere, the white everywhere, everything is so quiet and peaceful, the residents here are so kind and warm-hearted, and the trust between people seems to be so solid. All the landscape is quite different from China, where I lived for 21 years. 

Kindergarten crew

At first, it was a bit difficult for me to adapt to life there, but to tell the truth, I would like to learn that and I quite appreciate it. I am so grateful to Tytti, she showed me around the kindergartens and the school in Jyväskylä, which help me get better understand of the education in Finland. Everyone in the world knows that the education of Finland is excellent, but for most of us, we don’t know why and even how. This time, I believe in that fact. For most day care centers, teachers do the same things everywhere in the world; singing, dancing and playing - but in Finland, all the teachers do their best to take care of every child, give them enough love, and what’s more, teach them the principles and values of life. At the same time, although parents and teachers try to give all the best to their kids, they won’t spoil them; here is an example, which touched me a lot. One morning, when I came to the kindergarten as usual, and saw one boy of the Majakkasaari got off the car with his mother. I thought I'd just leave the door open for them, but the mother told me,” thank you, but he wants to open the door by himself.” This is such a small thing that everyone would ignore, however, it is very important to the growth of the kids. As for the preschoolers’ education, I have learnt a lot from Laura, She told me that the textbooks of kids are not just distributed to every preschooler, they hide the books in the forest, and when everyone found that in the forest, they would treasure them. Also, Laura teaches the kids, not only to use their brain, but also use every part of the body, which is good to their imagination. I couldn't agree more with the principle of Majakkasaari; music, dancing and adventures. Every kid in the day care center is allowed to go outside for at least 2 hours, no matter how cold it is. The benefits of keeping in touch with nature are obvious, but the folk in the modern times, just overlook it. 

Although the ways of education differ in every country, we sometimes can't assess them correctly, just because there is no criterion for that. The tiger mother -model is still popular in Asia, especially in China, and after that model, we do develop a lot of talented pupils. But in my personal opinion, I prefer the model of Finland, giving kids enough time to play while under the proper pressure of study.

Hockey game

Of course, besides the lessons I have learnt in Majakkasaari, I also learnt a lot of from my home stay family. Through the experience of home stay, I have learned how the local residents live as well as the local custom. It seems that everyone keeps a good balance between work, study and free time, which is so vital, especially in this society, where the pace is getting increasingly fast. My host father took my ‘little sister’ and I to the local library to enjoy reading, the sports stadium to watch an ice hockey match, and the local library, his palace (his company) to see the working atmosphere there….’Mum’ always prepared so much tasty food and snacks for us and took the utmost care of me, which made my stay just like in heaven. Most importantly, my Little sister, she is so sweet just like her name, which is also the name of the famous ice cream. I have watched her skating lesson, we would draw together, play the games together, do almost everything together, oh, my little princess…

I love this city, I love everyone and everything there. Just like I said, even you just walk along the street, you will quite enjoy yourself. In the city, I have experienced a lot, all the warm-hearted teachers and the residents, all the lovely kids, various parties held in the students village, all kinds of delicious food, of course my visit to see Santa Claus up north…..The  list of memories is quite long, I can only say that the paper is limited, but the feelings and the gratefulness is unlimited… 

I try to appreciate everyone for their kindness, but later I found what I could do for them in return is so little, ‘kiitos’ [thank you] is not enough to represent how grateful I am, words couldn't do that. But I still want to say thank you for you all, the kids, all the teachers, my host family, my friends of the students village as well as Sari, and the Santa Claus of the daycare center, you are the ‘real’ Santa with the modern car as the transportation.:))  Hopefully, the Earth is not so large that we just call it as ‘an Earth village', so there is no goodbye just SEE YOU.

Finally, if I have to use one to describe Finland, that is ‘mecca’,This is a mecca, which is full of arts and artists. This is the unique the place for someone, who loves arts and wants to experience different cultures.

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