AIESEC stories

Katerina Bochkareva, GIP in SuperDot, September-December 2012

If you still have doubts about coming in Belgrade, or living Global Internship Program experience, you can take a look at Katya's story from Belgrade :)

Tigran Petrosyan, Summer 2012, Life without borders

It is summer and it is high time to go somewhere for an internship. Job description wasn’t decisive for me at that moment; the only remaining question was the country, where I would like to spend 6 weeks of my life. The decision was taken, challenge accepted – Serbia, Belgrade.

Before going anywhere for an internship I should have attended the Outgoing Preparation Seminar. There I was told one interesting fact; every internship has 3 phases:

• 1-2 weeks. When you have just arrived and still feeling some positive cultural shocks and can’t wait to tell your friends how amazing is here etc.
• 3-4 weeks. When you are feeling depressed about everything, can’t understand how come you have appeared in this country and everybody is so unfriendly towards you.
• 5-6 weeks. Recovering from the second phase, realizing that the end of an internship is already coming and starting to feel sad about it, appreciating your time.

The internship has ended, and I feel that the second part was just omitted.

Project My job description is following:
“Deliver trainings and workshops to elementary school audience on the 4 topics of the national project “Life without borders”: tolerance, ecology, sports and arts & crafts.”

Honestly spoken, the project included one interesting detail that nobody knew about before coming to Serbia. The thing was in pupils: they are neither ordinary Serbians, nor even children used to go to school… These children were roma people, also known as gypsies. At first there could be no other expression on our interns’ faces but surprise, nobody was prepared for that. In the course of time people were getting even more and more enthusiastic about this fact than before. It was going to be interesting!

Realization. 60 children from 3 to 16 years old, 20 interns, little space at the Red Cross, 35 degrees outside, communication problems because of the language. It wasn’t the simplest task we could deal with. Fortunately, we were very lucky to have an extremely good OC team and excellent support from their side. Considerable efforts both from ours and OC team’s side brought forth their fruits: the realization could be definitely considered as a success.

Atmosphere. For me country is good as long as people are good. Before coming to Serbia I haven’t heard anything about Serbians, any stereotypes at all. That was both interesting and confusing at the same time. Eventually Serbian people left an imprint of exceptionally kind, friendly and openhearted nation. I immediately fell in love with Serbia and promised myself to come back here as soon as possible.

Conclusion. What can I say now as a conclusion? I feel that any words will seem too poor to describe the emotions that we were all experiencing during this internship. “Life changing experience” – that phrase can be the most appropriate for this situation. Less words, more emotions!

Tennily Pessoa, Summer 2012, Life without borders

Since i decide going to an Internship, I had clear in my head the idea that I needed to explore a new world of culture, people and feelings in only one place. Choosing Serbia for it, was one of the best decisions of my life. After breaking the fear barriers, I discovered in 6 weeks how many possibilities I can find in the world to impact people, and develop myself with them. Living with 8 different nationalities, and working in a project called Life whitout borders, opened my eyes to the fact that Borders only exists in our comfort zones.

Working with the kids even with all the language troubles, was amazing and lifechanging - All the moments with them, since taking from the Village, to the Red cross, each sucessfull activity, each smile, and all the hard moments, learning how to give my best, and work with a team, i will keep and be grateful. I found here, a milestone to my entire life, and more than internship partners - True friends, from different corners of the world - And lots of fathers and mothers in Belgrade, giving their best to provide us the best summer, and the best experience of our lives. After all the amazing moments, i'm waiting for all of them in Brazil - While I'm planning my way to come back to Serbia, and add more speechless experiences to my life.

Анна Каминская, Summer 2012, Life without borders
"The best team ever"

Today is the last day of my internship… But I feel myself like yesterday was the first. And I guarantee this feeling for every intern. If you decide to go to the internship be ready, that you will wake up next morning and realize that it’s the last day. There are whirl of events and people, so you are also involved in it, every day something amazing happens with you, and suddenly someone stops this process and you have to go back home!

So, my first day in Belgrade was special, because I’ve met my second family: guys from Greece, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Armenia, Lithuania, Brazil and Hungary! I got used to see them every day, so now my eyes are full of tears when I’m saying the last “good bye” for them. We were working together, having rest together, sleeping together, and travelling together as a real family!

Now I can say a few words in many languages, know how to cook national dishes and even can prepare Brazilian cocktails!

During this internship we were working with children in the Red Cross and in the school. So, to be honest, it was the most challenging work I’ve ever done! I learnt how to communicate with children, became more creative, because you have to be ready all the time for everything! And I caught myself on the fact, that I’m smiling now to all children everywhere =) The part of our work was dedicated to problem of Gipsy children discrimination. These children are special, because they need in care more than others. I tried to put my whole soul into the work with them and got complete satisfaction with this work. So, I’m going home with the thought that I did something special, and even maybe changed someone’s life!

The best summer I had wouldn’t be without our OC team, thanks to Andrija, Hana, Ksenia, Milica, Irena, Stefan, Stevan and all LC FON, they were the best team! They were helping us during all internship, they prepared many interesting events for us, and we’ve completely fallen in love with them!

I will never forget this internship: new friends, new experience, new interesting places, and many amazing events! I felt in love with one of the beautiful cities – Belgrade, and I’ll promise to come back here again.

18.08.2012. Anna

Odeta Valickaitė, Summer 2012, Life without borders

My first year at university was coming to the end and I was thinking how can I spend my summer. Most of my friends decided to work, get money or just go travelling. I knew, that I want something else, something unexpected and unbelievable. As I am an AIESEC'er, I had heard stories from people about their internship, what they experienced and achieved. And I understood that this is my way - face and change world. I chose Serbia, Belgrade. And it was something unexpected. after one and a half month I can say, that I couldn't find any better place to spend my summer. Being far way from home is not a sad thing, when amazing people are around you. Feeling, that now I have friends in all parts of world is unbelievable. I believe that this internship, this project really changed world. World of people, who were involved in this project. And from now, I know, that the world is not a big scary place. It is my home, wherever I go, whoever I meet and whatever I see.

Natalya Khudokonenko, Summer 2012, Life without borders

It was like a flash...after that my life will never be the same. I can't tell "thank you" to my big team, because it's too tiny word to impress all my feelings... I just want you look in my eyes and see: how deep you are now in my heart... Every sentence here like a torture for me - I need to share with you my inner world, but I am too greedy! I want to keep all moment whith this amazing people.. Now, when I hug them I remember all moment that took my breath away..and it's like 60408 minutes of happines - it's enough to become mad right now! But to tell the truth...I hate all of them, because they stole my heart! They made me to lost my mind! They rise me to the heaven and then fell to the hell... I can't tell about this..my..best period of life, because it's too much emotions! I want to scream!I want to run, dance, sing - do something but don't let it finished... But nothing can be permanently in this good life... That's why....only love....

Lilia Kolesnyk, October - December 2011, GIP in SuperDot marketing agency

This post is aimed for my Serbian friends from SuperDot marketing agency, that's why it's in English.
 

Cool motto by Ugljesa, our BOSS

OK, I see that one of the greatest stories is still staying behind the curtain! And it’s really about time to reveal it to public;). So, let all the world listen to it and discover!

…Tonight our weather has been continuing to present 20-degrees-below-zero frost and now I am finally sitting relaxed in my bed after intense day of exams and work, writing these words on my netbook, ‘cause I feel how much I want to share my happiness that I've been feeling after returning to my usual life in Ukraine. All emotions have got much more calm already, but I'm still refreshing every day shot by shot, memory by memory one of the best memories of my whole lifetime..:)!

So, I want to dedicate this post of gratitude for the bunch of greatest people I’ve met working together, who showed me what TEAMWORK is in real life, who contributed a lot into my perception of what the truly amazing small/medium company should look like and who simply became my good friends in Serbia.

Famous monday-morning internal joke
by account manager Ljuba

SuperDot people, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and try to express everything that I feel towards you:))!

I feel like being incredibly lucky to use the chance to do an AIESEC internship and end up in SuperDot marketing agency in Belgrade, where I experienced all that stuff, environment, time, relations, aspirations and feelings.

It was very productive time for me and I wanted to become productive for SuperDot as well. 

I learned a lot. I learned so many things in 3 months, I’ve never learned for the whole 4 years of studying at the university.

Now I know to cut, to pack, sort, pile, glue, stick, stretch, foil, fail and laminate:)) Kidding;)))

My first frases in Serbian:
"How do U do, dude! Give me 5!"

I’ve seen how business works facing reality and I got an opportunity to watch how great motivation and devotion of workers do deal with it every day, smiling and making fun simultaneously.

I believe I became a bit different and I hope this difference in me will contribute to other people I am up to meet in my nearest and latest future.

You know, guys, SuperDot has raised the bar really high for me;)!!! I mean I realize, that I’ll probably aim to look for, find (or even make together) such a similar FORMIDABLE company in Ukraine and I won’t be fully satisfied until I do!;)))

"Are U hungry?" - "Pancaaakes!"

Thank you for all cool days we’ve spent!

Thank you for the most cordial reception and goodbye:)!

Thank you for your jokes, care, support, friendship and love.

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to get to know Moo-shema, which I still treat as a child)).
And great thanks for teaching me a bit of Serbian language, for all cool Fridays, for lunches with palačinke, for all internal jokes we laughed at, for letting me being a "steniće", for all that talks, feelings, thoughts and emotions shared!

I want you to know that each day I feel that I miss you and I’m remembering every one of you!

Ugljesa, Nevena, Jejo, Ljuba, Tamara, Iva, Biljo, Alex, Mina, Achi, Neske, Ivan, Pepi, Veljo, Marko, Maja, Irena, Petar, Iva, Ivana, Maria, Alexandra and every person I’ve ever met at your company!!! (hope I didn't forget anyone!)

I’m sure we will meet again someday and I again invite you to visit Ukraine! (Better in summer, ‘cause now it’s too cold for your weather habits)
And I'm pretty sure I want to meet you in Serbia as well;)!

With great love and respect, 
warm greatings from snowy Ukraine:)!

Lilia

Popi Constantinou, July 2011

Belgrade! The first impression people have about this city is certainly far away from reality, that’s the most important thing I realized from my relatively short stay here. Even though the city has gone through a lot of wars and struggled through the years to acquire its identity, the people did not have the same difficulties; always happy to help, friendly and particularly curious to meet new people and foreign culture while also respecting their traditions. The city itself seems to be a rough diamond, with plenty of beautiful places in every corner. On the other hand, parties never stop here and prices are affordable for every AIESECer who wants to visit Belgrade.

My work in kindergarten was surprisingly fun and the kids were curious to meet their new teacher. The people working there were also very kind to me and helped in everything I needed. During my stay there I was also invited to a 7-day excursion to Gucevo, a children camp and had the chance to meet new people as well.

AIESEC Belgrade is also another major aspect of my stay in Serbia. Everyone was more than happy to help me and meet me. I had my own personal tour around the city during the day and had the chance to experience true nightlife in Belgrade as many times as I wished. In addition, AISECers were always next to me for anything I needed and it was really reassuring to know that I had someone I could contact for everything.

Philipp Wisser, December 2011, National Conference

Take a look at his experience in Serbia here.