Turkiye Cok Guzel

Turkey is amazing, 2 months in there is like a priceless experience that I unexpected. Various culture, Patriotism and nationalism, religious thinking, heritage art and building from the past mixed with modern way of thinking made Turkey is one of country I recommended to come.

During this program, which is Meet My Friend, I lived in city named Kocaeli, located about one and half hour from Istanbul. It’s not a big city and tourist place, but I love it because this city is not so crowded and quite conservative. Then Kocaeli is one of industrial area but in there a lot of students because it has one of big University called Kocaeli University.


The different EP in Kocaeli and other cities is if they live in host family but us lives in Dormitory. We meet each EP’s almost 24 hours a day, eat the same things, have a same internet connection, and have the same problems but the good thing is we can know each other deeper. Then in the end is like we have a new family from different countries.

I experienced how Turkish people live, they taught us Turkish traditional dance, how to play traditional game called Tavla like a chess but just in Turkey, tried delicious Turkish food that very famous one of the best kitchen in the world, tried nargile or in my country called shisa, watched a Turkish movie, tried Turkish beverage such as Turkish kahve(coffee) and cay(tea), and I am living my life as a Turk.

Turkish people are very nice, warm, and friendly better than I thought. I have one experience; I need to go to Istanbul because some reasons, then two friends from University accompany me to go there, find a difficult street in Istanbul that very huge city, even there English is not so good, sometimes we talk with gestures also mixed with Turkeys language is not obstacle for them to help me purely. In other conditions if I go somewhere, they even won’t let me pay for example for food, transportation or anything else. They said I am a guest so I should happy to live in here (Turkey).

But for me, my culture shock in here quite weird, as I know Turkey is one of Islam country in the world, and 99% of them are a Muslim, but it’s rare to find a people pray five times every day, and they are shocked when I can pray five times. Finally I know the answer; Turkey is the second secular country in the world after France. Then the government didn’t give freedom to women who use veil to work or study in school, they should take off their veil first.

I got an opportunity to see many historical and beautiful places and building, first is in Istanbul I saw, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Bosporus bridge, Ortakoy, Topkapi and any others, then in Izmir such as House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus, Zeus Cave, Sirince Village, etc. But it’s just a few, two months is not enough to see all the good things in Turkey. Moreover I can meet a lot of people from other countries, share our minds, thoughts, or perception about some issues that happened in the world especially in Turkey.

This internship gave a lot of experience that I can’t forgot, I can learned a lot from this program, how to adapt in new country with have different season, deal with new people from different country, adapt to the new culture, deal with communication problem, and anything. I thanks to God for every moment that I can go through the program. Last word is I want to say a million thanks to committee of Meet My Friends in Kocaeli, all of you guys doing great, your hard work made a good result. Cok tessekurler. Turkiye cok Guzel

Another Story from Turkey

This is a letter sent by Hamam Insani, student of President University, Cikarang, who is now doing his internship in Turkey to our VP OGX, Dessy.

Please enjoy his story...

Merhaba Dessy,

Sorry for the lateness to give our news from here. :P .
After waiting day by day, finally I matched with one of LC in Turkey,
which city is Kocaeli, the Project in there Called MMF (Meet My
Friends) 2009. Then I prepared all of the things and documents that
should bring there. Actually my program started in the middle of
February, but I have a flight on 5th February 2009, because I should
attend ATEMCO (opening of MMF Project) in Istanbul at 7th February. I
took 18 hours flight from Jakarta to Istanbul; it's almost a day and
transit in two cities, Singapore and Doha in Qatar. I went there with
two friends, Sofiya and Rabby.

In ATEMCO, there are approximately 65 Exchange Participants from so
many countries in the world and they spread to six cities in Turkey,
there are, Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Kocaeli, Eskişehir and Bursa.
After I spent two days in Istanbul, all the participants go to their
city. Next I have one week before start the project with walk around
Kocaeli to get used and know deeper about that city. In this city
there are 11 Exchange Participants, they are from Japan, Kazakhstan,
China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Russia. Each country send two EP, except
Russia just one.

Kocaeli is kind of manufacture city, and not so big city, with a few
populations, not so crowded, and in a few days, we can explore almost
all of the part of this city. The different between Kocaeli and other
cities in Turkey, we are living in dormitory, precisely is dorm for
local sportsman, and other cities lives with host family, so in here
interns can know each other's.

Then the project comes, in the first week, I start works on Kocaeli
University, exactly in Preparation school. In Turkey, University is 5
years, the first one year is preparation school, and the students
learn English and then 4 years to study their major. Next week after I
go to Atayurt School, one of private school in Kocaeli, this school is
from kindergarten until high school. Third week is in course, Ko-mek
course, this course is held by local government and student can study
with free.

In weekend there are two big tours, first is to Bursa, precisely in
Uludag. In that place EP and OC can enjoy snow, with play ski and
snowboard. The Second tour is to Izmir, the name is BAT or Blue
Aegean Tour, and all the participants can enjoy the beautiful of
Ephesus, Zeus Cave, originality of Sirince Village and so many things
there.
Turkish people are very hospitable, so in here I can have so many
friends, and serve us like we are brothers. Overall i feel satisfied
about this program in Turkey, especially my OC in Kocaeli, but still
they should improve for next year program, and I still have a few
weeks to enjoy this country.

Turkiye Cok Guzel.

Olla's Internship in The Philippines

Hi my name is Olla. I am a fourth-year student of International Relations in Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung. Basically, I joined AIESEC for the exchange internship program. I was interested in doing such program because I would challenge myself to do something useful for other people in other country. When I got accepted, I said to myself that I had to leave good impact in the country where I’d be sent to. Then I chose Philippines as my internship destination country because physically, there are actually no big differences between Philippines and Indonesia, but the numbers of poor people in the Philippines is double times by Indonesia’s. I also found out the gap between the poor and the rich people in Philippines are too big. So I decided to go to that unique country to find out more about the poor people life.

I was assigned by AIESEC to the Non Governmental Organization (NGO), named Gawad Kalinga (GK). Gawad Kalinga translated in English means to “to give care”, and it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but in the world. GK’s vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry and as a result providing dignity and peace for every Filipino.

My Chinese partner, named Angela (Xin Yi) and I were sent to one of GK Village, named Brookside in the north region of the Philippines. It is located in Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Manila. It was used to be a rural area with undeveloped houses and dirty environment. But now, you would see 300 colorful houses with lovely community and developing environment. There is an alternative school, Stella Maris Alternative School (SMAS), where I used to work as teacher assistant for preparatory class students.

I stayed in GK Brookside for about a month, starting from January 11 until February 14. At the first time, I was really shocked when I met the children there. Their daily life is actually same as in Indonesia, but what makes them different is their economic situation. They are poor but they looked really happy. Then when I visited the school, I was surprised by seeing those clever students, I forced myself not to cry at that time. Day by day, I learnt to live a simple life in Brookside. Well, it’s not easy, because I used to have a lot of things to do back in my country. The Brookside people are very friendly and nice, even though it is hard for them to communicate in English, but they would try their best on it, especially the youth and the mothers. It was my amazing first night living in Brookside when I met the youth and they practiced their English with me, even though they often said “nose bleeding... nose bleeding”. That phrase shows the difficulty in using English.

I joined bible sharing program with the youth 3 times, together with the teachers, who were also my room mates. At last bible sharing I attended, there was a girl sharing about her daily life, how hard its living without parents, and how lucky she is for being adopted. She shared the story in Filipino language actually, but it’s not problem for me. I believe whatever language we used, when we shared something from and with our heart, everyone might not understand it, but they would feel it.

I observed SIBOL and elementary school most of the time there, especially grade 4 and prep-school. I love the children in prep school. They are very nice and open-minded. They might not understand what I was talking about in their class, but I know they love me. When I helped the teachers with feeding program, the kids would not let me go to serve the meals. In prep-school, one of my students, named Joel. His warmth, strength, patience and love made me love him as my youngest brother. Unfortunately, he only lives with his dad, who works as a Pedicab Driver, in the house #56 in front of the court. His mom passed away when she was pregnant, and they were buried together. I could see from Joel’s eyes that he needs care and warmth from a sister or a mother. It showed on his behavior to me. He could be a spoiled boy and would never let me go, hug me, and hold my hand every time. Even he could never say goodbye when I left him.

In short, what I did there besides being immersed were social actions. I created a CYD Presentation and short video to be presented to the partners and the donors of GK, arranged 2 field trips for the students of SMAS to Manila Zoo, Museo Pambata and Luneta Park, and I also transferred to the North Region Office to find out about NGO work. In the last of my project, my partner, Sarah, and I arranged a film showing in the village. The title of the film was Jesus Christ Superstar. From this great experience I found that ironically, those AIESEC people have never been in the site I used to work, they do not even know where it is. The question is why they do not care about their own people, while many foreigners are even staying in the village and fighting for the happiness of them. I do really hope that it won’t happen with AIESEC Indonesia.

Actually, Indonesian and Filipino have very similar values of life. We put respect, love, share, and family on the top of our priority. In Brookside, I learnt it more. I learnt how to save water, how to share happiness with the people there, even thou I don’t know them that well. But I know they know me. I love sharing experience with them, listening to the mothers when they told me about their children, singing with the kids, learning something new with the youth, such as: Filipino language, and others. This experience is priceless and amazing. Someday, I know by having it, I’d be a better person with warm heart and women strength.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to have a life-changing experience and also a short journey in GK Brookside.

Regards,

Intan Cinditiara (Olla)

Story from Bangalore

This is a letter from Mas Andika, AIESEC Exchange Participant He is a student of Industrial Engineering ITB and now doing his internship in Bangalore, India. He sent this letter to Dessy, Vice President of Outgoing Exchange AIESEC LC Bandung

Yes, this is his story...
What about yours?

Dessy
I FEEL SO GOOD

Since i've arrived in india, there many unanticipated unpredictable and unbelievable things happened..

this country so different..... the culture, people, believe and %&^$%#^$%%...
TOTALLY UNIQUE...
So amazing... The Palaces in Mysore, Gardens, Beaches in GOA, Downtown in Bangalore, the movie theater, the bus stations (oohh so comfort)...
and not only colourfull india... But there Also 8 rommates, friends from other apartements, Parties... So KALERFUL... and then wherever I go in India i met alot young people from europe, US and Asia... most of them are backpackers.. they’re not only travel to india to explore this country for fun, but to also to explore and discover themselves..

Actually i really want to go to north india like kashmir and triangle golden city, unfortunately I dont think I have enough time to travel and to see all india...
for me this country offer manythings to explore, theres many stories about some sacred places that make me curious more and want to explore more...

I admit that sometimes "the unique things" make me mad, angry and I always say : "what wrong with this country, what the F***, WHAT????, Crazy!!!"
and my friends did too....

But those things made us our life change
we think hard for the wayout of problems, we seldom feel comfort when we go out from our apartment, we often meet unpredictable and unanticipated situations...

After more 1&half months, I think unconciuosly we learned how to deal with people, how to make quick decision, how to apreciate people and life..,

for me India is best country for young people to explore... i have alot of fun, a bunch of friends, many troubles, alot things to see at the same time...

Thanx Dessy

Another Life-changing Experience!

This is Intan Cinditiara (Ola), AIESEC Exchange Participant... She is a student of International Relations, Universitas Katolik Parahyangan.
She's now having internship in Philippines.
Yes, this is her story...
What about yours?

A Letter From Bangalore

This is a letter sent by our Exchange Participant Andika (Environment 05 ITB), who went for Development Internship in Bangalore, India, January 2009. We received this letter in 21 January 2009 by our VP OGX, Dessy, and we're so proud to be the part of Andhika's life changing experience...

This is his experience, only the first day, there will be a lot more, and we'll make sure you're updated... yes, this is his experience... how about you?

Dessssssiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.... I don’t know what to say, there so many story to share... it was so fantastic...... my flight, my journey, my arrival and my day here.

Anyway i’m trying to start from my flight...

I took lion air from jkt and arrive in changi at 1 pm... and i took 8 hours there for transit. i was very excited there, i walked around the airport, i bought Latte and muffin at starbux, 3 cheese burger at Mcd (take away, just incase i’m hungry on plane hehehe).... and then.... wow there many things to see...

At 9.15 PM and i took plane to go to BANGALORE... i’m met some indian and i try to let them know that i’m going to bangalore and they were nice... we talk about ourselves, and of course about india, bangalore and they give me some tips in bangalore. At 11.20, i arrived in bangalore. The airport is new built, it’s so modern, futuristic design, great facility like just in singapore airport but much smaller.

And you know what i met once again, an indian girl who I met in changi. And she guide me since the plane landed till I got into the bus. The immigration check was so easy, i just passed it easily, i didn’t take much time there. And just for your info,the bus is smell unique... hehe smell indian hahahahahaha... and the bus sometimes turn off the AC (maybe to safe fuel), and i took 1 hour in that bus. And i felt sick in that bus, very sick, after long flight. However, i’m very excited... so different here, the houses, people, athmosphere.... funtastic

And the bus dropped to somewhere call HOL or HCL, thea after ten minutes prateek and daven picked me up to springfield apartemen... I arrived at 12.30, there were Tiffany (chan yap chen) and Hazel (Ling Hui Jung) from taiwan opened ther door for me. They are very nice. We talked until 5 a.m

In the morning at 9a.m there milind and shvarman took us 5 (me, stephani, tiffany, hazel and wendy) for break fast amd after that we went to mall.... and you know what, we watch indian cinema in Indian theater ( like blitz or bioskop 21).... the screen is much bigger the sound system were crazy it’s so loud... it took 4 hours, so many dancing, singing, and unbelievable action(jump from high place or something) with no subtitle. And the unique thing is there a break during movie... its so funny

In the apartemen, the facility is so complete... there is a swimming pool, gym, tennis court, badminton, snooker... food are cheap ( maybe same like in indonesia)
Anyway.... we have so much fun here... my rommates are nice, fun to hang out with them.. although there are some things that i don’t get or they not provide what they wrote in TN details.

Thank you so much dessy...

Andhika