AIESEC Lucknow through the eyes of a new recruit!

Alina Sayeed, a student of Lucknow University, was selected into AIESEC in September 2011 and after a month in the organization, this is her AIESEC Experience!!
So far that is!

12:47am.Phone flashed.

New message! Neha Avasthi ( an old AIESEC Memebr)

Reads- Hey! I’ve joined AIESEC :D

*yawwwwn*

“AIESEC?? Another NGO ?? Or wait! is it a band!?”

Reply comes- Arre it’s a youth organization spread across the world. Plan to join?

“Ooh! Neh, its okay, I’m fine this way :P Anyway, congratulations & celebrations! :D

 

And so AIESEC was rendered unnoticed by me, actually by myriad others in the similar fashion.

It so happened that one day, I, along with Stuti, was hanging out at Fun Republic when Neha rings up “ Oye! We’re about to start with the GD-PI.Come give it.” Hangs-up. We went all gung-ho about it.

“GD-PI? You mean the kind we see in Roadies?”

“I guess, hope the interviewers are as cute as Ranvijay”

*hi5* “We’ll have a gala time” *wink*

Ahem!! That’s exactly how we got there. Didn’t know what we were getting into! What AIESEC expanded to be! Had never heard the word! But tadaa!! We were right there, seated, rudderless, at the GD conduction area.

Got selected, cracked the personal interview. Phew! Wow! That was one helluva feeling. Felt professional, adult, wanted and ecstatic (as we always were), all of a sudden.

But yet, the idea didn’t sink. A youth organization? Meaning no old people coughing & signing sheets? It’s all over the world! Canada, Australia, Italy! Man! These AIESEC people got to be super rich! Wait! No perks!? Where does the money come from? And hell yeah! Bill Clinton, Junichiro were AIESECers!?

And the questions came rushing down with a vengeance.

Well...the answers didn’t take long to come to fore. Our Local Training Seminar did the job. An organization of mammoth proportion, bringing the world at your doorstep, conducive to networking, honing your managerial skills, providing you a platform to speak, be heard and implement changes. It was like an institution in itself. I termed it a ‘congenial youth democracy’, your very own government. Wow! It’s amazing!

And you know the best part??

Right from meeting literate people, enlightening masses(which now seemed utterly lost & in absolute darkness) about AIESEC, running pillar to post to sell forms & feeling triumphant on selling one after delivering a taxing extempore on AIESEC(our first leverage assessment task) , refurbishing the GD-PI venues, frantically phoning recruits to reach the venue, keeping track of forms sold, to be sold, to letting it loose in jives, shouting our lungs out for role calls, being rowdy hooligans after accomplishments. We did it all!

And you know, it’s just amazing to note that how, in just a span of one month, our, then trivial changes, now seem prominent & pivotal. To work without harness, to feel/be accountable on your tod without being prodded, questioned or dragged. Transformation of an amateur stunt to a sobering feat, AIESEC did it all to us. So, we, the latest addition to AIESEC’s menagerie can vouch, for the record, for AIESEC’s authenticity and grandeur. We are utterly enjoying our respective coveted posts. The change is proliferating. It’s a mass exodus. Say hello to its paraphernalia (read ‘us’).

 

Thank you AIESEC. Cheers!

 

 

Alina is one of over 250 people who have experienced AIESEC in Lucknow and a part of the current 115 members in AIESEC Lucknow!

 

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Moin Adil discovers Saint Petersburg through Global Internship Program

Moin Adil, a student of Amity University in Lucknow decides be different from the lot and enrolls for AIESEC Lucknow's Global Internship Programme for his summer training. 

The result was a magical experience ranging 4 weeks in one of the world's most beautiful places, St. Petersburg , Russia.

As a young & striving 21 year old, one may not experience life at its best, not because we are not ready to accept the atrocities of life, but just because our choices are not that critical.

On the contrary, I consider myself fortunate to make one such choice which competely influenced my self being. This choice was none other than choosing to go for an internship in St Petersburg.

 

My unshaken trust in AIESEC to change lives eventually effected me after working for 8 months for AIESEC Lucknow, India, when I applied and got selected for a technical internship in St Petersburg, Russia. 

Its regarded as one of the most beautiful city of the world, full of amazement and surprises, the night life was very exciting, we used to work in office from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and then party from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am, followed by four hours sleep and then back to work at office. Travelling in metros of St Petersburg was all more thrilling, passing from beneath the Neva river through the world's deepest subway.

Staying in a flat with interns from America, Brazil, Spain, Serbia, Sweden and Dubai was all more enriching and entertaining. What I learned in 6 weeks, would have taken me a year or two had i not went for this amazing internship. 

Those 6 weeks made me more impressive and expressive, enhanced my technical and enterpreneurial skills. It was  a life time experience, the best that I had till now. Moreover, as St Petersburg lies in Europe, I got a taste of the Russian as well as of the Europian culture. 

It was a journey whose leader and follower was no different but me and hence I would seriously like to recommend these kind of internships for one and all. My complete stay in an alien environment (initially) was a challenge on my face which I openly accepted and with the help of AIESEC St Petersburg overcame victorius.

Moin Adil is one of  over 600 Indian students who have discovered the world through AIESEC every year!

Click Here to register for a Global Internship Programme!
 

Click Here to contact Moin Adil!

Janis was in Lucknow for her Internship. Sharing with you excerpts from her blog, 'Translocal' which talks about her times in the city with her friends.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Shuxian, the Chinese intern, who is also my roommate, and I have been planning to eat at this place called Cafe Mojo, located a few feet from the school where I teach. So last night we planned it out and also took it as a good opportunity to meet the two new interns from the Czech Republic.

I wasn't able to take any photos but anyway, the cafe is situated on the second floor of a building where Gold's Gym Lucknow is, haha! Too bad I didn't bring my Gold's Gym membership ID from the Philippines, I didn't know I'd be working near one! The place is nice and has a cozy feel to it, with low tables surrounded by round couches of pastel gray colors, with a hookah on each table. The menu consisted of categories like "Fast Food" (weird category name, huh?), "Indian", "Italian" (where we found these two dishes falling under that category called 'Normal pizza' and 'Italian pizza'), and finally "Chinese".

Actually, someone from AIESEC recommended that we eat there, but I forgot to ask him for any recommendations. :| Our conversation went like this as we were passing by the building on the way home from work:

"That restaurant over there," I pointed, "Mojo's? Have you tried eating there yet?" And he answered, "Yeah, I have, and the food there is really great," as he emphasized the first syllable in 'really'. And being new to Hindi, I tried practicing one of the words that they've taught me so I said, "Really, like chokas?" with 'chokas' meaning 'awesome'? And he replied, "Actually, more than chokas!"

I think during that small talk, he was referring to the Indian food of Mojo's, because I ordered something from the Italian menu, and now, it turned into one of my biggest regrets when it comes to ordering food at a restaurant. Wrong moooove! Lesson learned today? Well, ever since I got here in Lucknow, I will never ever order foreign dishes again, and get Indian food instead. Tsk.

The good thing though is that I now have a reason to eat again at another restaurant here. :) which is totally chokas! I'd love to taste more Indian food! :3

To read more of Janis' blog you can Click Here

Local Congress Experience Sharing

Saif Ahmed:

Firstly I congratulate AIESEC Lucknow on its first ever conference delivered!
For me it is one of my most memorable time spent in AIESEC. A period
in which I saw an immense growth in the LC and myself also.

How about you? How was Local Congress?
Which session was your favourite?
Share! :)

Faraz Hashmi:

Firstly I want congrats to al the Executive Body members and the Organizing Committee members to make this LCong 1.0 happen.
It was my first conference and it was the most memorable one in my life. Just cant forget the last 3 days which I spend with my AIESEC Lko family. Love you all.. :-)
Made many new friends which helped to increase my networks and thanks to LCong that I had my first prom date.. :-P Apart from that LCong was a great learning experience! To be very honest I got very much motivated to work more hard for my department by frequent department meets and by so inspiring leaders.
THANKS TO ONE AND ALL..!!
AIESEC Lko ROCKS..
LCONG 1.0 ROCKD.. :-D

Priya Singh:

Seriously it was the best experience I'd ever had, just can't forget
that three days .I've got so many new frnds, and that promnite was just
memmorable  and i'll miss u guys.

Saurabh Singh:

A lot of greetings to be made by me for the first ever LCONG 2011!
Firstly I would like to thank our Local Committee President, Ms. Saadia Ahmad Khan for taking the initiative to organize the conference in our Local Committee. The next compliment is for the Organizing Committee members. You guys really did a tremendous job for making this conference successful. The LCONG was my first conference. I’ve heard from many people about the continuous  sessions, jiving and all other fun activities in a conference, but when I actually experienced it, then I actually got the feeling of the vibes and energy of a conference. I really had a great time with all my fellow AIESECers, made real good friends over there. I would appreciate if these conferences organized frequently in our Local Committee

Rishabh Aggrawal

The lcong xperience was simply amazing...words are less to describe the fun and the experience that i had in AIESEC..previously i considered AIESEC..... just another organisation...but now i have realised its impact...after coming back from lcong..i was too tired..so i sat on my couch...closed my eyes...and started thinking of the wonderful moments of AIESEC in no time...i could see tears dripping out from my eyes..

i asked a question...y m i crying..what has AIESEC given me??..the answer came up immediately and was simple..AIESEC has given u life.i pondered a little more..and realised that AIESEC has given me friends...who are always with me…Leadership experience putting up my experimental ideas into action

..the list seemed 2 b endless. I considered my school as the only place which has left a lasting impression on me..i thought tat nothing could be better than my school life..

but the AIESEC Xperience was way more impactful...

anyways leave it..i am sure that my essay would never end...and you guys would get bored reading it..

a word for all the new recruits...guys you have been given a wonderful opportunity... start working..

capitalise the opportunity to its best..because the day is not far when u guys would be standing in my position and would regret that u had an opportunity but you didnt turn up for it!

Vikas Sinha

The most hatt-ke experince in my life was the Lcong 1.0.I was an Organizing Committee member and got to learn very much on the hospitality side... it was very nice to serve all the AIESECersss...
the experience is immortal and can never fade off from my heart no matter how many LCongs i attend...!
each and everyone present was important to me. i also got the chance to attend the prom night..my frst prom night which i will never forget ever in my lyf.
it was a nice experience amongst friends and will always remember the OC ROOM!

Preetila discovered India - When will you?

With as many as four projects lined up for this year, this year can be tiring at the worst and enthralling at its best! With each department highlighting ambitious targets in front of the General Body members, the excitement is mounting. For the Vice Presidents, it is amazing to see an excited member body. The Exchangers are predominantly engrossed in the matching process for all the interested clients and are spending sleepless nights in their quest to deliver better than what has been promised. As the Local Committee Meetings are being enriched with better updates each time, the targets seem to become real!The members will possibly describe it well, however, the ultimate fairness will come from the mouths of the Vice President who see their Vision of the Local Committee taking shape. 

President's Address

The world is full of people who have achieved a level of greatness that today's youth only dreams of.  People like Barack Obama, Sachin Pilot and Ratan Tata are among those who are like idols to many.  These people stretched their vast imaginations and strong will to levels that most of us haven't seen before. Their dreams touched heights that most people never knew existed. They had visions for what was possible in their future that went far beyond the ordinary person's.  A lot of people would just say that these people have just gotten lucky.  However, the reality is that they probably got so far because just one person believed in them.  One person gave them what they needed in order to see their goal and work as hard as they could to reach it. 

Is there someone that you know in your life that is young and you know that he or she has the potential to do anything they want to with their life?  Consider becoming their mentor and always remind them to dream big.  Some of the greatest achievers recorded in human history started out with some of the boldest dreams and goals ever conceived.  The life we know and love wouldn't be the same without the brilliant ideas of those individuals.

Leadership can even originate in a dream or be inspired by thought or individual.  Despite its origin, mentors and leadership could drive our youths to push past all of the uncertainty and fear they feel to be able to achieve what's important to them.  Great leaders everywhere already know that all dreams are possible no matter how impossible they may seem at the time.  Leadership and support are the most powerful motivators any of our youth today can have to go after their dreams.  It can never be too late and they can never be too young to accomplish anything with the right guidance.

AIESEC is a platform where you can dream big, achieve bigger and aspire for biggest. AIESEC is consummate in itself. It’s a platform for the youth to explore and develop their leadership potential. AIESEC believes that every young person has a potential, it provides its members with an integrated development experience comprised of leadership opportunities, international internships and participation in a global learning environment.

AIESEC In Lucknow, one of the Local Chapter of AIESEC India is running into its third year as an independent LC. Initiated by AIESEC in DELHI UNIVERSITY in the year 2007, AIESEC Lucknow was awarded as the best expansion initiative in the year 2008 and most progressive expansion in the year 2009 and was legislated as member on probation in January 2009.

AIESEC In Lucknow presently has 80 working members, making a positive impact on the society and aiming for 100 international exchanges this year.


-Saadia Ahmad Khan
(Extracted from AIESEC in Lucknow Newsletter: Issue 1, Volume 2)