[Story-telling] Kate from Russia

Today I want to share with you story of Kate. Every time I read it, I feel inspired about her experience! No more words, just read it-->

"AIESEC…want can I say…Its really complicated to talk about what it gave me as Im still on my way in organization and I know it WILL give me more then I have already. 

Ok, I will start from the very beginning. I joined only for going to internship in October’2008. Remember myself filling application and going through English tests it quit was exciting. My first conference gave me much more understanding about organization and awesome drive of AIESEC conference with its warm-ups, dances, songs and sometimes surprising challenges. 

Going through matching process I was participating as a organizational committee member of two local conferences. And it was great experience! It was new for me to discover myself while having responsibility and working in team. After I was OCP and got to know how it to lead a team is. My matching took almost 10 month, what made me upset sometimes, but I always found support in my EP Manager Vlad Karmakov. He was always there for me as a professional, reacting immediately on all my queries about countries and matching etiquette, and he was always there for me as a friend with strong man’s shoulder. 

I got matched with huge Indian organization called ITC, which apparently (I got to know only when I came) which is a century old, owns many factories and chain of 5 star hotel. In one of them I was working in different departments. The most exciting was marketing department. All day long I was wearing saree and handling relations with up to 40 Embassies. Every time I stepped in new Embassy I had a feeling Im visiting this country of it. 

But it is only professional side of my internship. Honestly to say, for me was much more important to have international and cultural integration experience. About month I didn’t let my camera rest. Everything was amazing around. I was so happy to see my first street cow!))) 

Traveling was fantastic! India is perfect country to travel around. In just night by train you appear in completely different place. Weather is different, the way people talk, look, dress and eat - everything is different. Add here cheap accommodation plus cheap transportation. I told you, its perfect!) I’ve been in more than dozen places from Himalayas on the north to ocean in the extreme south. And for sure traveling made smarter and more mature. 

I used to live with young people from all over the World and now I see map in their faces. That’s unique multicultural experience! 

My second internship was in Ukraine. It was very interesting to discover one more country and upgrade professional marketing skills there. Im in love with Ukrainian spirit and beautiful traditions. 

After that I found myself at home thinking about what opportunity to take next. I got inspired by my friends, who went to MC* in different countries. So just recently decision to dive deep in AIESEC World was made. Now I live in India again and work as Vice President of Outgoing Exchange in fresh LC** Navi Mumbai. Its great pleasure to see the way AIESEC functions here. 

And after my term gets over I will be open for opportunities AIESEC again!"




* МС - Member Committee of AIESEC in country
**LC  - Local Committee