On 26th June 2011, I got on a flight to Prague for an internship that would mark the end of an era in AIESEC- An unforgettable one at that.
Five and half long years spent in an organisation that became a part of me.
I remember that first time I was in a member's meeting at University of Nairobi when I was confused and oblivious of what I was getting into.Was it November or December of 2005? Somewhere there. I had just joined 1st year in the University.
Looking back, I can see a whole lot of memories and experiences that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
All of them will make great stories that I will want to share with my children and grand children someday!
These five and a half years have meant:
- meeting some of the most intelligent minds of my generation
- interacting with so many cultures from all over the world
- experiencing the beauty of the world in over 20 countries
- shaping of my character for the next phase of my life
- believing in something so badly that it hurts
- thinking of organisational strategy even before I knew exactly what that was
- dreaming of results and outcomes even when the worst was staring at me right in the face
- surviving a day or more with little or absolutely no money in my pockets due to one reason or another
- having to handle a million things at once and still looking for some sort of balance with the other parts of my life
- realising that not all my acquaintances are true friends and that true friends are hard to come by
- learning that mistakes are potentially everywhere; sometimes we fall but then we have to wake up quick, learn and move on
- leading a group of amazing individuals towards a goal so clear that they all share in it
- that miracles can and do happen; anything is possible!
- that beyond all the work and achievements, nothing is as important as staying true to oneself
- that beyond all the things that can occupy my time- family is still the most important gift I have
- learning something new from even the most unusual of places or the most unexpected people
- seeing the world through the eyes of other people ; seeing things anew
- living life on the edge but realising that this kind of adrenalin can sometimes be too much to bear
- forgetting the notion in my mind that my health can take care of itself
- dropping the Fiona dogmas in my mind and opening up to new ways of thinking
- that the potentiality of a dream is based on the willingness to try
- that the possibility of achieving something meant to be is always blurred by a fog of fear
- that whether something is a win or a loss is based on our very own feelings about it
- changing and flexing the mind is good as long as it is justified by new and worthwhile experiences
- having that one conversation I needed to make a difference or a turn for the better
- giving time, passion, talent and skills beyond what I thought I actually had in me
- loosing and feeling so bad about it but looking towards the future for better days
- winning and tasting achievement so clearly that I was scared if it was actually real
- sharing the most hilarious of jokes; most hilarious of moments; and laughing like never before
- crying and sharing some extremely tough moments with those close to me but still finding a silver lining in that situation
- gaining some friends that I am sure I will want to have in my life for years to come
- being proud of my continent and my country and being excited at what I can do to make a worthy contribution
Most of all, these five years have meant Growth...in all aspects possible for any human being.
For this I would like to thank:
- AIESEC in general
- AIESEC Kenya, for taking me in and for the amazing people I have worked with
- My MC teams 0809, 0910, 1011- I cherish all we were able to share
- AIESEC friends from all over the world for the conversations and experiences shared
- My team leaders or people I reported to for pushing me to do more
- My mentors/coaches for pushing me to be more
- My mentees/coachees for allowing me to share what I could
- My friends for being there in good times and tough times
..........and most of all, my family, for bearing with me throughout the entire rollercoaster ride :-)
I will forever be grateful.
Wishing the best to all of you who I will no longer get to see and I hope that our lives will cross paths again sometime!
Big love,
Fi
1 comment:
"that beyond all the work and achievements, nothing is as important as staying true to oneself" -that really lit something in my mind...and an interesting observation I made while reading your post, in Nov or Dec 2005 you joined AIESEC, and in Nov or Dec 2011, I also joined AIESEC....lol...
Post a Comment