From my Balcony: WHAT A CONFERENCE!!!!!!!

Hello everybody,

So the whole MC we just got back from the Aiesec in Jordan National Conference, YES allow me to say "we MC"as I am too a member of the MC from now on, but we'll talk more about this in my next posting, which I can promise you right now it won't take me another 6 weeks to write.

Going back to the Conference it is very difficult to compile all my thought and feelings into 250 words, but I can start by saying that it was FANTABULOUS (wait... does this word actually exist?) it doesn't matter it was fantastic, it was fabulous and these first generation of Aiesecers in Jordan has PASSION, let me tell you!!

Let's start with the dancing, these kids have got it down, they were asking for more and more dances right till the end of the conference, and believe me (those that know me from my days in Aiesec in Michigan know this) I don't particularly enjoy the Aiesec dances, but I have done more dancing at this conference than in almost 4 years in Aiesec. Of course this was thanks to the spirit of the new Aiesecers, so I give it up to you guys, BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVISSIMO!!!

For the people that are not very much aware with what was happening at this conference, the First two LCs from Jordan (Yarmouk University and Jordan University) got together along with our externals, awesome international facis (Sami "perrito", Tamer, Paja), an incomparable Chair (Ondrej Gandalf from now on) and of course the MC. But why did so many people get together? What did we discuss? Like in every Aiesec Conference where you have newbies we obviously discussed and introduced the history and identity of Aiesec, but mainly we discussed the 3 PBOXs that Aiesec in Jordan is putting together (Entrepeneurship, Bridging the Gap and CSR).
At first we were a little concern because of all the information that we were throwing at them and of course after the initial confusion they were able to begin grasping the nature of the work they are going to be involved from now on as Aiesecers.

As is the norm in Aiesec conferences, there was a lot of dancing, sessions, interesting and deep conversations and partying (WORK HARD PARTY HARD...ER... sorry, that's my spanish mentality taking over me). I specially remember one very interesting discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that took place at the beach in Aqaba (Dead Sea) and at the other side of the Dead Sea you can see Israel barely 2km away, this is something I would never see myself doing 2 months ago, and now look at me MOM!!!! (I'm on TV...random!!)

So yes a lot of things happened at this conference, I just hope everybody left as Happy, Tired and Curious to see what´s next as the whole MC did. Now I'm convinced that a lot of good things are going to be done and that this first generation is ready to change Jordan one step at a time.

Until our next meeting,

Asier

First generation of Team Leaders of AIESEC

"...Leadership is a journey. It is a long process of self-discovery, discovery of the world and people in it. It is an experience of impact and growth... "

Having received 37 team leaders applications for 12 positions (out of 67 members total!) we had indeed toughest time making decision. We would like to thank everyone who took the courage and applied, showed his/her perspectives on leadership through applications and expressed the committment and passion to our organization.
We are incredibly happy and proud to see so many of you applying! Your ambition and desire to succeed really deserves huge respect & gives us real confidence in the future of Jordan Expansion!!!

After long hours of thinking, reading & discussing, the final list of team leaders for the term 2006-2007:

Corporate Social Responsibility PBOX (Jordan University)
Learning Team - Hamza Zacout
International Internships - Lana Baddar
Marketing - Leen Alami

Bridging the Gap PBOX (Jordan University)
Learning Team - Mohammad Momani
International Internships - Dima Quassim
Marketing - Elen Hindelleh

Entrepreneurship PBOX (Yarmouk University)
Learning Team - Hala Hatamleh
International Internships - Sana Shbateir
Marketing - Halid Mousa

Bridging the Gap PBOX (Yarmouk University)
Learning Team - Rand Al Muhtaseb
International internships - Hassan Alawneh
Marketing - Mahmoud Shadid

Congratulations!!!We wish you all good luck & great results!

First generation of AIESEC people in Jordan

We would like to thank everyone who worked with us during the Introduction to AIESEC. It indeed was a great pleasure to interact with you & learn more about you! Due to the capacity issues (being only 3 people here), we can not work with all of you in this semester, and we hope to see your applications in the next spring recruitment!

And finally, we would like to welcome the first generation of AIESEC people in Jordan!

Jordan University:

Rana Awad; Rowan Mereb; Dima Qassim; Huda Awidi; Moaath Marwan Al-Faouri; Muhammad Arzykulov; Walaa Hamdan; Ellen Hundaileh; Nada Monami; Abeer Husam Al-Helou; Tamara Abdul Fattah Al-Shishani; Saif Mohammad Jarad; Qais Al- Kurdi; Dana Baddar; Rozan Khammash; Shaden Abu-Shaera; Lana Issam Baddar; Mahmoud Yasine Amin Mohamoud; Hanaa Jaradat; Ahmad Alghawanmeh; Aseel Zawaneh; Joanna Dababneh; Diana Al Badareen; Hamza I Zacout; Karam Marwan Samarah; Mhammed Abdullah Eideh; Malek Sanwar; Mohhammad Al-Momani; Sama'a Khater; Mahmoud Walid Al Karazon; Aya Nazer; Khaled Tawil; Dunia Al-Salahat ; Bara'a Mahmoud Al-hamarneeh; Leen Al-Alami; Vanda Sawalha; Lubna Abdullah

Yarmouk University:

Hassan Alawneh; Wasfieh Yousef Almallah; Ahmed Ismail Al-Qudseh; Majdi Mustafa; Maher Al-Khazaaleh; Hala Hatamleh; Rawia Gharaibeh; Amro Khasawneh; Mahmoud M. Shadid; Sana Shbateir; Mohammed Abdal Rahim;
Anas Rida; Ayman Al-Salim; Hamed Mohammed Abushindi; Alaa Ababneh; Halid Mousa; Donia Agel; Sana'a Yusuf Ja'far; Thabet Abed Alqader Muhsen; Saleem Oweis; Mirza Ahmad; Abrar Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Hag; Hawra'a Qasem Batayneh; Wala Fadil Al-Omari; Ahmad Abdullah; Ahmad Qudah; Senan Abdallah Mohammad Tobaishat; Hadeel Issam Yousif; Hiba El-Masry; Rand Al-Muhtaseb; Abdulla Ahmad Al Abbad; Rafat Ghrayeb.

Welcome! And let's make the most of the AIESEC opportunities & bring a positive impact to the Jordanian society!

Excited,
Monika, Oksana, Annika, Asier & Sherif

Thank you. End of induction.

Dear all,
in two days we will start the selection interviews and inshallah next week we will already be able to say: welcome the first generation of AIESEC Expansion to Jordan.
However, at the moment, I am still reflecting on all the happenings during this month. It was the time for me when I challenged myself a lot, when I questioned my own thoughts & my lifestyle, as well as the thoughts and lifestyle of others.
This month I realized again how different our cultures are and how similar they are at the same time too..
I found friends.
I understood that things can't all be perfect, but what we are doing has a great impact.
I learned exactly what that impact is.
I saw more of provincial Jordan, and its diversity.
I learned more about Islam and Christianity; about Palestinians, Jordanians, Cherkes, Serbs, Bosnians and all the other nations that i met in my teams.
I had culture shocks.
I went from being super excited to being super down, and super excited again.
I realized what I miss about Ukraine, and what I love in Jordan.

Thank you everyone, who made this month so impactful, exciting & challenging.

Living on Hijazi bus between Amman & Irbid,
Oksana