Monday, February 17

Tahlia 's story in Sri Lanka

              
              
     The story is kinda funny. It was actually unplanned when I finally decided to go exchange to this beautiful country. (Un)fortunately, I got rejected from a project in other country. So I started looking for another one in Sri Lanka and I got accepted in Guru Gedara project from AIESEC Colombo South. I’m kinda glad that I didn’t get accepted in the first place, because my 5 weeks in Sri Lanka was the best 5 weeks of my life.
                The project is a about teaching English to the Sri Lankan school children. I’ve never teach english or anything ever before to a school students, but I always want to share my knowledge to others and I think this is my opportunity to make it happen. By doing this, I know that I can develop myself.
                 Since I’ve never done this before, I was a little bit nervous to teach in front of all the students at the beginning. But the teacher is really helpful and the students are cooperative. As time passes, I’m getting comfortable with it.
                Not only cooperative, the children are
very lovely as well. On my first day teaching here, one of the students gave me a pen, the other day some students gave me a flower. They keep giving me stuffs almost every day. I never knew such small thing like this could make me happy.

   From this project, I made friends with the exchange participants (EP) from other countries. There are from China, Taiwan, Pakistan, Bahrain and New Zealand. Beside the “Guru Gedarians” people, I also met EPs from other project. They are from Brazil, Peru, Greece, etc. At first we didn’t
know each other at all. Then we start to understand each other and respect our cultural differences, and suddenly in a short period of time, we become a family. This is actually the best part of going exchange.
                Besides doing the project, I also traveled a bit in Sri Lanka. One of the places that I visited was Kitulgala. I went there for water rafting along with all the Guru Gedarians and the AIESECer. The place is really breath taking, and the rafting was so much fun!

  
I’ve traveled to several countries in this world, and I always think that people from my country (Indonesians) are the nicest people in the world. But I changed my mind after I visited Sri Lanka. All of the people in here are very nice and lovely! Wherever I go, all of the people are smiling to me sometimes I even feel tired that I have to smile all the time :p

Thank you so much AIESEC CS for giving me this kind of experience, I’ve had the time of my life :)




Maida's experience in project eGurugedara

Lanka; the land of coconuts and magical beaches has provided me with the best experience for my exchange. I would have never thought for a different country whose culture and values are closely knitted to Pakistani culture and values. As far as the project goes, it was an opportunity for me to work with students with such a diverse pool of talent which had it perks. English language was the only way to communicate with them which is the project all about.
I have never in my life had a chance to be a member of AIESEC but meeting AIESEC CS was a joy ride and made me want to go back to Pakistan and join my LC. It’s commendable that despite of being undergraduates all the AIESECers left no stone unturned to make my stay fun and comfortable in Lanka. From conferences to exploration of Lanka, from having meals together to parties, from my stay with a host family to meeting other interns, from jam packed bus rides to walks on the most exotic beaches each and every day left a print in my memory which is never going to go away.

Sadly, everything comes to end and it’s time to go back to my life but I am not going alone to Pakistan I am taking my friendship with the AIESEC CS and my recollection of all the amazing moments I spent here. 

Wednesday, February 12

"For me was one of the best. I’ll never ever forget it" Prscila's experience in FEEL LANKA 4.0


My name is Priscila, I’m from Argentina! I came here to work on a project to promote the handicrafts production and the tourism of the country. The name of this project is FEEL Lanka 4.0.
The coasts of this beautiful country offer beautiful long beaches with palm trees, white sand, and transparent sea. In these beaches you see families, teenagers, couples and friends having fun, rest and relaxing.
All over the country you can appreciate many national parks, reserves, sanctuaries for conservation, wildlife observation and a lot of temples; they are added as territorial assets for tourist use too.

Here you can find many souvenirs, original creations, arts made by Sri Lanka people. I could have the chance to see how they make it, and it’s incredible, you can see how people are dedicated to their work, I’ve never seen this before.

The people here are really nice and helpful, and I had the opportunity to find them, especially AIESEC Colombo South people. They helped me in everything that I need, before came here, and here too!

My experience was awesome, more than I expected. The only thing that I suffered a lot on the first week (and I think all of the people in my groups) was the spicy food!!! But now I get used to eat it!
I met people from other countries (Greece, China, Pakistan, Peru, Brazil, and Ukraine), they were so nice! At first it was difficult because in some things we think different and live with people who you don’t know very well it’s really hard in the beginning, but we could solve all the problems and work together!! 
Then we shared all of our traditions, food, feelings and also knowledge so now we know more about other cultures and this is great because with this kind of things you grow up.
If you really want have fun, know other culture different than yours, have adventure, meet wonderful people and eat spicy food. Definitely you must come to Sri Lanka!! Don’t lose your opportunity, for me was one of the best. I’ll never ever forget it.