Facis in Highway!

Faci roll-call!



And me and Ivan...had to help him:P




Had lots of fun! Ah, and we were so random because we practiced it only for 10 minutes before :)

First OPS in AIESEC Latvia!

The weekend brought me the first possibility to be the agenda manager of a conference. We organised Outgoing Preparation Seminar for all the members and students who want to leave in Exchange.

Even if the number of people coming to the conference was rather small and unexpected, I believe that all the delegates had a cool experience while talking about why to go in an internship, what are the benefits, what other stories say about an exchange and how to prepare. We had the interns invited and we had a very nice evening of sharing where we discovered each how good ambassadors we are and how much we love our countries.

Sharing some pictures now with you:




Sharing with trainees in the Tea House

Talking about what is unique in Latvia with trainees











Energizers :)












Thank you Danny for chairing the conference!

All in all, it was very interesting to discuss topics like culture, culture shock, cultural differences. We made simulations and we set goals for our internships, and in the end each of us draw where she will go in an internship.

Actually, do you know that culture shock is not the reaction you might have when you see a cultural difference? So, if you see something in that country that is different to your culture and your expectations and this surprises you or even shocks you, this does not mean that you have a culture shock! A culture shock is a state of mind when you start challenging your being there and the culture you are in. You start questioning your existence and your future plans. It is a deep self-reflection period and it can be used positively in order to plan your next years:).

Inviting you to discover more about culture and yourself!

Spaga - afecteaza atat de mult societatea romaneasca!

Va invit sa vizitati:
http://www.primaspaga.ro/index.php

E un site foarte misto care spune multe despre problemele Romaniei.

Si mai jos un clip, sugestiv:

Highway to Slovakia!

Yes, it was long way to Slovakia..not on the highway but going to Highway:) the conference.

I attended the national conference last week in Slovakia.
Venue: 3 stars hotel in High Tatras, an amazing view of the mountains and surrounded by snow all around.

Getting there...well, some 2 days of travelling (including the stay in Warsaw for waiting the train).
Lots of missunderstandings with the tickets...lots of worries and unslept nights...but it was all worth it:).

The conference had around 230 delegates. I was a faci at the oldies agenda and we had around 80 oldies present. We were only working in hoemgroups and I had the best one! We were called Mumuland, the most optimistic and energetic people in the conference. We were joyful and always happy, we had the best team spirit ever and we were the loudest there:).

The conference objective was motivation for leadership and self-reflection for each individual. We had interesting sessions addressing their values and vision. It was more than inspiring even for us, the faci team. It was hard and challenging, we barely had breaks and we were all the time there, with 11 other individuals waiting for our reactions and comments. We had outdoor activities in the snow for some hours and we were totally freezing but it was more than fun!

What I learnt is that people matter:) and that if you open your heart, people around can inspire you very much! My dear Mumu team, you inspired me so much through your feelings and deep thoughts! I loved every minute spent with you and I hope to meet again!

I hope our Mumu spirit will continue surviving!
And thank you AIESEC Slovakia, you are great!

Until next time, enjoy winter!
Anca

PS: Bratislava is nice, even if a small little capital!

First visit in Ventspils!

Finally, I got to visit Ventspils. Second LC in Latvia, actually still an IG.
The city is a harbour at the Baltic Sea. A nice small city of 10 000 inhabitants. Nice university, close to the sea, nice and welcoming people, a new perspective on AIESEC there...this is what I experienced.

The city itself is not as small and not interesting as people described it for me. I actually liked it.
The people are very nice, they thank you and greet you, the streets are the ones from small towns, the sea is so close! For me it is totally unusual to go to the sea in the middle of autumn and to get there in 10 minutes! Well, I guess it is because I leave at 16 hours by train to the Black Sea in Romania.

I also got some new extra activities in my portofolio..I went to a basketball game. It was so cool to see the energy, joy and frustration on the supporters faces, to observe teamwork in the players and to decide once more that sports should be a part of our daily life not only because it keeps you fit, but it refreshes your all activities. Thank you Lasma for taking me there and taking so good care of me!

In general, I liked the visit and I also got some results that I hope AIESEC Ventspils will capitalize on! Inviting you to read more about the city at www.ventspils.lv.

Hugs from the MC flat...

Snowing for the first time this winter....and adventures with going out:)

Remember the days when you wake up and see everything white around you? You look outside and you see an unbelievable white scenery...
That is how I felt yesterday morning.
It was snowing in Latvia for the first time this year...I mean, this winter:).

I had that positive feeling that I am a child again and will go out to play in the snow...so I decided to go outside as soon as possible...so, after having some talks with my dear parents and with my grandfather, I jumped outside to taste the snow :).
Ok, it was melting...so not so nice...but still, I enjoyed the view of the forest next to our flat being dressed in white...

Then I called Marcio, out trainee...his first time to see snow (he is Brazilian)...he was more than excited...imagine, he had so many first times here...:) loving exchange for that..

For the day to be complete, we went out in the evening to dance...we went in such a nice club with nice music. At the beginning, not so many people joined so me and Karina started the dance...but then everybody kind of collapsed there. It was very nice to feel the energy of dancing again, I remembered how much I love dancing. And I also remembered to look after guys..well, you can say that Riga is not so bad...saw and admired some good-looking guys:).

But there is one more thing I should learn...Anca, don't become a workaholic!

Until next time, enjoy!