Reflection…

I like reflection, it keeps me on the ground and at the same time makes me see what I still can do with my life. Especially newie conferences are an amazing experience being an “oldie” Seeing the newies getting more and more motivated always reminds me of when I entered AIESEC… I started working, but never got to know @, at least not the fundamentals. The newies these days are a lot further. Sometimes I am jealous, I never got the chance to enter and see the basics, the core, never got that motivated by role models, and now… I need to be that role model for newies, difficult. It took me 1.5 year to find out what @ was about, or differently said, to find that role model for me, well maybe it was 1 year. Going to newie conferences these days, as facilitator or chair is challenging. Making sure that the new generation of @ers will start off with a role model, with lots of energy and motivation is definitely a challenge and one of the most satisfying roles that you can have. And afterwards mentoring to make sure that the new generation also will be retained. The newie conference in Poland has been the last big amazing experience, learned so much from the people and surely they will be able to teach me even more!
And now, with all the MC applications opening up, and AI as well there is a new challenge. Still haven’t made up my mind but definitely there are some great opportunities waiting for me! Next stop, WeGrow! I am looking forward what the delegates can teach me this time! Will see my best friend again… the one person who took care of me and made me pursue my dreams!
So many things to do, learn, and discover!
Yesterday is history, today is a gift, tomorrow is mystery!

LCC'05 Katowice...

Hey AIESEC?!?! How do you feel?!?!

Hey everybody, after some complications (again) in Milan to catch my connection I did finally get to Madrid, and now back in the office. I had some time to reflect on the last 2 weeks in Katowice and just wanted to leave a message for all LCC delegates, OCs and FACIs.

You guys are amazing!! It has been a long time since I felt that home in a city that I never visited before, the way that you have treated me is the reason I’m still in AIESEC, that friendliness, genuine interest in other people, the reception and all the things you have given me (and not only referring to accommodation) that enriched my life.

Chairing LCC’05 has been an amazing experience, I have learned many things from all of you, and it has been a true pleasure and honor sharing experiences with you! You all have shown an incredible dedication, energy, motivation, active attitude, willingness to learn and a potential to elevate Katowice to a higher level.

So, now after the conference you have all entered a team, or maybe you’re in charge of that team. That’s an amazing achievement, and all of you should be proud of being where you are now! You have just entered a new chapter of your life, and that can either be leading a team, working as a member or working in the EB. But never forget the process of getting there. You all have made it out of many students at your university and are amongst a select group of people who can achieve, learn and experience something that is truly incredible.

Enjoy that experience; take the opportunities that you see and give this year your best. You will be amazed by your personal development, and the development of the people around you. Live the diversity that AIESEC offers you, open your sails and explore the world. The year will over before you know it.

I am looking forward visiting your beautiful country again and getting to know more about what it has to offer as I honestly have not explored Poland they way I should have. But don’t worry, be rest assured that I will come back and you can teach me even more about Katowice, Poland and even AIESEC.

I will never forget you guys, thanks for everything, thanks for showing me AIESEC and for giving me breathtaking moments I will never ever forget.

Love,

Kevin

msn: kwansu_groen@hotmail.com
PS: I would love to have the videos J
PPS: can you guys please make sure that the new members also get this mail as they might not have access to aiesec.net yet

Beautiful autumn...

Aaaaaaaaaah I just love autumn, it just refreshes me. When I started travelling 2 months ago, everything was so beautiful! It’s so much more colourful than any other season. The trees look red, green, orange brown, purple and more different colours! Besides the fresh air, the cold wind, it makes me feel alive!
Autumn thanks for always cheering me up and feeling so energetic!

Future plans...

Yeah I know I haven’t been posting any new messages on my blog. Been on the road a lot lately, traveling for 6 weeks, tiring but also satisfying as I had some time to reflect and also to experience some new things!
LC coaching visits were a great experience, trying to coach the people, give them advice and trying to advance the performance of the committee and people! But at times it’s so frustrating, seeing sometimes although you are trying to stimulate pro-activism and self-learning and still no results. No results in the last few years. How come? You’re trying to help them not by coaching the people but by actually performing the operative work for/with them although it’s not even my task…
Yeah, you learn from the negative and positive experiences, even more from those negative experiences!! Although it sucks, I got some quite clear ideas for what I want to do next year. I guess my future is not here in Spain… although I’m still thinking of applying for MCP at times but some things have really demotivated me to do so. So well, now it’s up to exploring other opportunities!
See ya around somewhere in the world :)!!!