AIESEC Planet by ogxmanager

Exchange Participants showcasing impact

AIESEC PLANET

AIESEC PLANET 1st Edition

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Our Exchange Participants

Project Manager

Brazil: Mallika Dinesh, Emily Wong China: Sherry Wang, C.J. Penkert, Scott Earl, Samantha Lumpkin, Greg Sobetzki Colombia: Cassandra Gianni Egypt: Yilin Chen, Samarth Baroth Hungary: Alisa Dilanian, Michael Illas Cameroon: Charlotte Dubald Croatia: Lydia Chalek Mauritius: Selina Yasin Perú: William Macy Pruitt Romania: Mana Kanatsu Vietnam: Alex Williams

To Zachary Luo Min and Emily Wong for the idea and gathering the information for this book.

Layout and Design / Publication Manager To Lucía Tróchez Ardila for making this project come true.

AIESEC Planet is distributed to members, exchange participants and partners of AIESEC United States and is available for download on our website. This edition was compiled and edited at the National Ofﬁce of AIESEC United States in New York City.

Coyright © 2013 by AIESEC United States, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior consent of the publisher.

Published by: AIESEC United States, Inc. 11 Hanover Square, Suite 1700, New York, NY, 10005 Tel: +1 212.757.3774 Web: www.aiesecus.org

CONTENTS Table AIESEC Information

Other Countries

Our Country Partners

Travel Tips

History Our Vision Our Impact The way we do it Our Values AIESEC Presence Our Programs

Cameroon: Charlotte Dubald Croatia: Lydia Chalek Mauritius: Selina Yasin PerĂş: William Macy Pruitt Romania: Mana Kanatsu Vietnam: Alex Williams

General tips Buying a plane ticket Application to visas Electricity Packing tips

Lydia Chalek, Exchange Participant at Brac, Croatia

AIESEC Information History

In the early years of AIESEC, activities regarding exchange consisted of traineeships, study tours and the exchange of information on studies. Traineeships were organized during the months of November or December through careful selections by the 'local committees' (groups of AIESEC members) and training occurred during the following summer. ‘Receiving Committee' members of the host country played a role, completing the whole experience by serving as a point of contact for trainees with the economic and cultural life of the locality. AIESEC has grown since then to realize over 20,000 internships a year. In the United States, AIESEC has presence in over 40 Universities, becoming a trendsetter in the global association, and continues to grow in exchange performance and leadership development.

Our Vision

Peace and fulfillment of Humankind’s potential.

Our Impact

Our international platform enables young people to explore and develop their leadership potential for them to have a positive impact in society.

The way we do it

AIESEC provides its members with an integrated development experience comprised of leadership opportunities, international internships and participation in a global learning environment.

Our Values

Activating Leadership, Enjoying Participa tion, Striving for Excellence, Living Diver sity, and Acting Sustainably.

AIESEC’s Presence

AIESEC is present in over 110 countries and territories, having more than 80,000 active members.

Our Programs

Whether you want to gain new skills domestically or step outside of your comfort zone internationally, AIESEC can o er the experience you crave.

TEAM MEMBER PROGRAM

TEAM LEADER PROGRAM

Every semester, each local AIESEC chapter recruits members to work towards spreading our vision. During their time, members gain skills such as marketing strategy, sales, and financial management.

Team leaders are the foundation of AIESEC, creating the strategies that members work by in order to achieve results. By gaining experience, members can apply to various leadership roles in AIESEC.

GLOBAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

GLOBAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

These international exchange opportunities focus on impacting a local community and developing global values. Volunteers can expect to work in Fields such as language education, HIV/AIDS prevention, or community outreach. This cost-effective program offers more than 17,000 opportunities annually.

With the current job market, international work experience can be the perfect addition to any rĂŠsumĂŠ. Designed for those that have obtained a degree or a good amount of work experience, the Global Internship Program is designed to offer challenging opportunities for professional development.

OUR COUNTRY PARTNERS

AIESEC United States has a history with six specific countries, five of them are Our country partners; Brazil, Colombia, Hungary, Egypt, and Mainland of China. We manage a large exchange number with India as well. The porcentage of realized exchanges with these 5 countries and India, is between 45% and 50% from the total. This partnerships ensure our quality in delivery and encourage more opportunities between AIESEC United States and any of the other Countries. In this book, you will find stories in other countries as well, and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to live an exciting and new experience go abroad on our Programs, join us at our official website www.aiesecus.org

With more than 2000 exchange opportunities, Brazil is our biggest country partner.

A rebuilding, multicultural society with 500 exchanges a year.

A fast-growing economic power and dynamic society, with 900 available exchanges.

A country of kind people and rich bio-diversity, hosting 420 exchanges.

We realize almost 300 exchanges a year.

BRAZIL

Location:

S達o Carlos, S達o Paulo, Brazil

Mallika Dinesh

Job description

I was part of the Global Community Devel opment Program where I worked with children, teaching them environmental con sciousness through sustainable crafts, teaching them about my culture and giving them a perspective on life outside Brasil.

Visa Process

I had to get a tourist visa. It took one day. It was a very smooth process.

Living costs

About 1000 dollars for 2 months if you are wise with your money.

Transportation There is ample public transport, it is really easy to get between cities. I don't believe there is any student discount for this purpose but it is really easy to understand, very efficient and safe.

AIESEC Georgia (UGA)

Local Hot Spots Bars: Banana bar,Trem Bom, Bom pedaco, Caaso!

Food

The most typical dishes are acai and churrasco (which means barbeque), you can get tapioca for beverage.

Cultural Differences Not really, because everyone was so helpful to me! I even learned a lot of the language and they helped me understand everything! I would like to say that people often portray Brasil as a very superficial culture, but it is far from that! People there are nothing like that! They are warm, welcoming and loving!

Anecdotes Well, it was like destiny with my hosts we connected in an instant and transcended the borders of race culture and language. I feel that they are my sisters and that we have known each other for many lives past and many more lives to come.

My Experience Packing Tips

Depends on when you are going. I went between May - July and this is the winter season, so I took some thick jackets and long sleeved shirts and pants. It does get cold, but it is extremely cold!

The best things about S達o Carlos were: The food, the people and the language! They are all so helpful, want to get to know you and make you a part of their world! I absolutely love love the people, the language and the energy!

Location:

Goiania, Brazil

Job description I did a marketing/ teaching internship abroad. Basically I helped a small NGO, CECOM, create marketing material, prepare for events as well as created computer lesson plans for the children there.

Emily Wong

Living Costs

AIESEC Baruch

Transportation

Buses are a common transportation method, although it wasn't smooth. It's about 3 realis for a ride (around $1.50) and they take long to come depending on the route and time of the day. During rush hours buses get extremely crowded and hot. You also have to make sure you HAIL the bus.

Living costs weren't as cheap as I expected. Food was relatively cheap, depending on where you go. There were a lot of food stands that had great affordable food. There were a lot of shopping malls but the clothes there were the same as US prices and may be more expensive when it comes to brand names. Activities were relatively affordable and there were plenty of free things to do.

When there is a stop with many buses, you need to stick out your hand for it to stop for you, or it might skip the stop. You also need to have the bus tickets in hand (you can buy them anywhere from shops to newspaper stands) because you pay before you go into the bus or you'll be trapped.

Cultural Differences People are extremely chill there, it's a different way of living. You'll realize that not everyone is rushing somewhere and they really enjoy their time off and breaks. I relaly enjoyed that. people are friendlier than in NYC and at clubs and bars it's not strange to chat with strangers! I've made many friends that way. Also Brazilians are known to be late!

My visa took about 3 weeks to process because I gave in a few of the wrong documents. From what I know, it should take about 1 week on average but always prepare for it earlier in case you need

Visa Process

to ﬁx something. The visa was $160 and you MUST use a post ofﬁce money order (otherwise they won't process it). I had to run back three times because of a misunderstanding with the money order.

Also through AIESEC, we go to Brazil through a tourist visa because it's easier and quicker to get than a student/ business visa. Don’t include "work" or "AIESEC" in the visa or it won't be as smooth.

Local Hot Spots

There was an arts center that was funded by the government and we had free aerial silk classes there (see three pic included). I also really enjoyed the parks that were around and ﬂamboyant mall near my house. Some of my favorite places were El club, the pub,gloria, boteca de conversa etc... El club and the pub are both gay bars but they're great social places and usually have kick ass music:).:). Gloria had amazing food although more on the expensive side and was a greatplace to chill. There is a small city near goiania named Pirenopolis. It's a waterfall city

famous for its 5 waterfalls. It's a good weekend thing to do because there are a lot of markets and small hostels and places to stay. In the daytime you can hike and travel through the 5 waterfalls and just relax. In goiania there are also a lot of markets that sold really cheap stuff and really authentic stuff. They're all over the city at different hours and different parts of the week.

Packing Tips

Bring mosquito repellent (although it probably wont work!), good sneakers, there s a lot of walking, and an umbrella if you're going through rainy season!

Food

GUARANA, Brigadeiros, picanha (steak), acai, churros, more steak!

Activities with Local Committee LC Goiania organized "quinta dos trainees" every thursday. It basically is portuguese for "Thursday of trainees" and they pick a bar or well known local place for us to meet

and chat and hang out. Out of the 90 or so members of the LC, around 60 of them always show up. They do a great job with integrating their EPs.

My experience

Beautiful weather, amazing people and SUCH a local culture. Everywhere I go people were so welcoming and friendly. Goiania is known for their nightlife because they have many bars and clubs. It's also such an interesting city because they love country type music called sertenaja.

My internship in Goiania changed my outlook on everything in New York. As someone who was brought up here, I've always been so caught up with catching up to everyone else or trying everything to stay on top. Throughout my three weeks in Goiania, I learned to experience and savor, instead of

bypassing things I normally would. I met people in the most random ways and embraced such a vibrant and exciting culture. I've learned that being emotionally vulnerable is okay and it's a great way to be happy. I've met 6 amazing people who I can call my family and talk to still to this day. I've been fortunate enough to have been housed by a wonderful brazilian family and a brazilian mom who cooked the best food I've ever tasted in Brazil. I can't say I'd trade this experience for any other. Brazil made me realize that wanderlust is incurable.

Anecdotes

In Goiania, My friend and I were known as "the interns that always got lost". We would always take the wrong bus and end up dialing for help! We have good stories and laughs about it haha. Also skies in Goiania have an abundance of stars! I used to get teased because I would love to lie on the ground and watch the stars for hours!

CHINA Location:

Xiamen, China C.J. Penkert

Wang Sherry

AIESEC

Illinois

AIESEC Madison

Job description Sherry: I taught English at King's International English for the kid's program as well as the regular program. For the kids program I taught classes as well as designed activities and lesson plans for the upcoming English summer camp.

For the regular program I organized lesson plans for private classes and larger groups (of no more than 10 people). A couple of the other interns participated in promotional events for the English school.

Sherry: We had a unique living situation where 5 of us lived together in a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment and split the monthly rent of around $400 USD/month. It sounds pretty awful and cramped, but I wouldn't

have changed it for anything because I had the best time living in that apartment with the other interns. It was also in a great location, right across the street from the university and basically in the center of the city.

Living costs

C.J.: I taught spoken and written English skills in a private school to all ages and skill levels. There were a lot of moments of spare time hanging out with the Local Committee and other interns teaching at a local primary school.

I have heard that King's International English has now started providing housing for their interns though, so that would save some apartment hunting time and money. Food is probably one of the cheapest things in China.

Food on the street or in a nice restaurant just isn't comparable to the prices in other countries. You could get a filling meal for around $2-3 USD no problem. Clothes are actually not that cheap, unless you buy them on the street. The bars are pretty expensive too, but as foreigners you do get free drinks often. I remember we calculated once that one

of the beers we liked to buy regularly was only around 50 cents of a dollar per bottle! C.J.: No rent, or utilities,The housing was com pletely covered by the company. Food in China was extremely affordable as long as you are willing to eat local. I would really recommend that since it is delicious! Most of the time I could eat a meat for 6-8

RMB (just a little over a USD). Clothes could be expensive, I could compare the prices almost exactly to the US, I never had to pay for drinks at bars or clubs. The locals are so honored to have you in their establish ments that they usually cover all the tabs, And they make great friends too! Cabs could be pricey though. A standard trip at night would cost me 15 30 RMB (2-5 dollars)

Culture Shock! Sherry: I'd been to China before so it didn't hit me as hard as some of my fellow interns. However, there were definitely many things that took some getting used to. For instance, star ing doesn't seem to be considered rude in China. Even though there are more foreigners in Xiamen nowadays, it's still very common for the

locals to just continually stare and look at you as you walk by or if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on a bus (I look ethnically Chinese, but I was always with a group of foreignlooking people). The Chinese are also often shy and reserved at first, so it takes some time to get comfortable (especially in a classroom

setting when it's important that they speak up and ask questions). C.J.: Yes. It was very tough my last 1.5 months there. Skyping with my parents helped a little, but what actually got me out of bed in the morning was focus ing on my job. It was very rewarding to teach.

Cultural Differences General manners are just different. People are more conservative and concerned with their outward appearance to others. When going over to a person's home or if someone is hosting you for a short while, it is common to bring them a gift.

Everything is more communal than individualistic.. For example, one person will often pay for all members of the group together instead of each person paying for themselves separately, and just expect it to even out over time within a group of friends.

(well maybe not college kids on a budget). Also family and tradition are very important. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no good western snacks. I lost so much weight because there was no junk food and sand wiches .

Visa Tips I just needed a 90 day L Visa (tourist). It was very easy to acquire. It only took me 1.5 weeks and I didn't even have to visit the con sulate. This visa is only valid for the Global Community Development Program.

Local Hot Spots

Bars: Helen's, Soul Bar Clubs: The Key, 1801 Restaurants: Xiao Yan Jing (#1 seafood place in Xiamen), muslim restaurants (seriously you have to try them! They are amazing!), Nighttime BBQ on the street Activities: The beach, KTV (karaoke bars), Gu Lang Yu (the small island/tourist attraction that Xiamen is known for), Xiamen University, Zhandau Road (shopping district)

Transportation It was very convenient to travel around by bus, and the taxis were not that expensive either after a night out.. Buses are extremely cheap, less than a USD per ride. Once you ride on them a couple of times with a friend they are pretty easy to figure out. Even with the Chinese characters, i could still recognize the western style numbers written everywhere.

Food

Since Xiamen is a coastal city, seafood is pretty big there. The food is amazing and so fresh! Some dishes: Sha Cha Mien, Bah Mien, Stinky tofu, Bau Zhe (stemed bread dumplings)

Activities with the Local Committee

A couple of members of the LC showed us around the Xiamen University campus and took us out to dinner and KTV (karaoke), which was really fun. We really only saw them once or twice near the beginning.

The rest of the time we only kept in touch with about 2 of them, so it would have been nice if we met more LC members and hung out with them more throughout the length of the internship. There were 6 interns total, 5 Americans and 1 Dutch.

They were very receptive to having out in small groups, but we had to initiate. If had never asked, then I would never have made so many friends! We actually had to host intern parties at our apartment because nobody else would. It was so fun!

Packing Tips If going over the summer, pack appropriately for the heat! It is extremely hot there. Bring some medicine as well because many people have stomach problems at first when adjusting to the food.

Also, if you get sick it's much easier to take your own medicine than finding something similar at a pharmacy where everything is in Chinese. Make sure you pack watter bottle, american drink

My Experience Sherry: Living and working in China for a summer was one of the most interesting and enjoyable experiences I have had in my life! Living somewhere new, not just sightseeing but actually living there, gives you such a greater appreciation for a different culture and lifestyle. What I took from this trip goes far beyond my internship. I came home with countless stories, memories, an expanded outlook on life, and lifelong friends from all over the world. I loved it and I want to go back someday to visit all of my old friends!

recipes, and american snacks you know you will miss, family/friend photos, and also VPN (get one on your computer or say goodbye to facebook!), since in China you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have access.

Location:

Wuhan, China

Samant

ha Lum pkin

Scott Earl

AIESEC D.C.

AIESEC

Appalac

hian

Job description Scott: While in Wuhan, I worked with the New Oriental School. This school taught people of all ages hoping to learn English for studying abroad, for business, or just to have fluency in the language for the future. Most of my students were around my age. While I did not know any Chinese, the students were still able

to learn in only English instruction. Teaching was very rewarding, as I was in charge of developing my own lesson plans and activities. Some days we would review different grammatical rules. In others, we would do a role play activity. My favorite was having my students make an info

mercial for random items that I brought into the class. Teaching my students was an amazing experience and I still keep in touch with many of them today. Sam: I taught about environmental protection in 6 high schools around the city of Wuhan, I probably had over 100 students.

Visa Tips Scott: In order to get my Visa, I had to receive an invitation letter from my host Local committee luckily, they were very speedy in getting all necessary documents over to

me. The Visa was actually quite simple. After filling out paper work, I brought all the needed forms to a consulate and was able to pick up my Visa a week later!

Sam: I had to renew my passport and then needed to get a visa which I ended up getting expedited the whole process took about 4 weeks or less.

Living costs Scott: Living costs in China were exceptionally affordable. My common breakfast of getting six dumplings or a bowl of noodles would cost about 25 cents. Getting a beer from a store would only be about 50 cents. Transportation was also very affordable. The most I ever paid to get to another city was about $40 to Shanghai.

However, most of my other travel to Beijing, Guangzhou, and other cities would be around $20 for a round trip train ride. If you ever go to China and spend $5 on a meal, expect to be very full. Sam: Very cheap! You can get full on street food for $2. Clothes are cheaper than the US but not by much. As far as activities in

the city, there is an amuse ment park called happy valley which is about $12 to get in and it is a smaller 6 flags! Travel is very cheap by train, unless you take the bullet train, but even still it's definitely no more expensive than the United States. Bigger cities like Beijing and Shanghai are much more expensive than Wuhan.

Transportation

Scott: In Wuhan, most of the city is accessible by bus. A bus ride would cost the equivalent of about 30 cents! The busses would get extremely crowded, but it was definitely a unique experience. The other interns and I also would walk a lot, as many restaurants, stores, and our work locations were not far away. To get around different parts of the city and to visit other districts, we would take a cab. These cab ride typically would not exceed more than the equivalent of about $3 per person. Luckily, Wuhan is in the middle of building a metro system now!

Sam: Good bus system that will take you where you need to go once you learn the stops. Each ride is just $.30. Taxis are everywhere and generally pretty safe to take on your own but like most foreign countries, you have to be brave to get in the taxis because they drive like maniacs! It is fun though once you get past the initial shock factor. Be careful crossing the street because cars won't stop for you. If you are in the center of the city, you shouldn't have to wait too long. If you can't find a taxi there is a number you can call for one.

Food

Wuhan is known for its hot dry noodles (which are neither hot nor dry!) and its duck neck soup, It sounds weird but it is amazing! Defi nitely try it. Eating in China is definitely different than at home, but I always tried everything at least once. The steamed dumplings were definitely my favorite food there though. The yogurt in Beijing is especially delicious and addicting. Something funny is that they have the weirdest flavors of Lay's chips there.

Local Hot Spots

Clubs: Queen, Muse Bars: Helen's, Burtons, New Helen's Restaurants: T8 (Chicony Square), 85c (Cafe) Activities: Yellow Crane Tower, walking along the Yangtze River, Guiyuan Temple, East Lake, Walking Street, Wuhan University

Cultural differences Scott: The culture was definitely quite different in Wuhan, and it was a bit of a shock at first. Wuhan does not have a high amount of foreigners. As an American in Wuhan, many people would stare and point and ask to take pictures. Also, there were many other norms I found quite different, such as children using the bathroom on the street and people spitting very often. Sam: I think the biggest cultural difference from the US was how big of an

importance they give to togetherness and community. It trickled down from how we made decisions to what time we would leave the apartment in the morning, to even the small things like ordering food.

At most restaurants that we went to we would each order a dish, share each dish with everyone and at the end split the check evenly throughout. Some times this would make us be late. It was a really cool difference from how things are here!

Culture Shock! Scott: I don't think I experienced much "culture shock" since I was with a group of 34 other interns who were in the same boat as me and were a good support network. Definitely have a jar of peanut butter nearby though when you start missing home and getting sick of the food! Sam: I think the biggest culture shock may have been the bathrooms though. Public bathrooms do not come equipped with toilet paper, so bring around your own! Also, toilets do not have seats, but instead are built into the ground. You will build good leg muscles from the squatting though!"

Acitivities with the Local Committee

They organized a party for all of the interns upon our arrival. It was so much fun meeting them there and enjoying drinks and cake, as it was one of the intern's birthdays. The Local comittee also

brought us on a study tour of the city on one of the first days so we got to see some of the monuments and a find some fun spots. The LC would stop by often to hang out with us and go out on the town.

The committee members were also great in helping us acclimate to the city by helping us get cell phones, bringing us to our work place, and always being one phone call away whenever we needed help with translations.

Packing Tips If you are going in the summer, expect it to be quite hot. While it is a good idea to bring jeans or button downs for going out attire, shorts and t-shirts are definitely the

Sam: Sunscreen and bug spray are necessities. There are lots of mosquitos. Bring a good umbrella and a rain jacket because when it rains it pours. Also shoes with good traction. It's tempting to wear flip flops every day but the

sidewalks get extremely slippery after it rains. Also keep in mind that they don't have dryers in China for the most part which means everything will go on a clothing line. So bring clothes that will dry quickly. Bring toilet paper too!.

Anecdotes Scott: Working in Wuhan was amazing because many of the people there have never interacted with Americans before. When I asked my students what they thought life was like in the US, one of them said "just like in Gossip Girl." I think this summarizes why we need to the opportunity to build bridges between people of all cultures! Get to know the people around you and their stories and you will have a new window into another culture.

Sam: Being an American who went into China not speaking the language, I got to experience a lot of what foreigners get when they come to the US and don't speak or read English. Usually everyone was understanding and it was fine, I got by quite well for being illiterate. There was one time where I was desperately craving something salty like a cracker. So I went to our corner store down the street and walked up and down the aisles looking for something good.

My Experience Scott: Teaching in China was an incredibly rewarding experience. I feel like I made an impact on the lives of all of my students and learned a lot about myself in the process. In China, I had the opportunity to travel, extend outside of my comfort zone, and immerse myself in a culture very different than my own. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone!

After a few back and forth crosses between aisles, I found what I was looking for. I giant box of fish shaped crackers similar to Goldfish. When I got back into my apartment I tore the box open and was halfway through shoveling a huge handful in my mouth when I realized that it wasn't goldfish. It was fish food. Quite a different eating experience than what I expected but my room mates and I had fun daring each other to try it.

Location:

Guangzhou, China

Job description

I taught seventh- and eighth-grade English, as well as classes in geography, debate, and western culture. Mine was a yearlong TN, so I spent time

Greg Sobetski

with nearly all of the 1500 students at my school but my main focus was on the sixteen students in the school's international class.

Visa Process

I needed a business visa to work in China. Unfortunately, someone needed to apply in person at the Chinese consulate in Chicago, and my home is in Denver! I had to send a AIESEC Denver friend on my behalf.

Living Costs

Living in China is ludicrously cheap if you do it the right way. My company provided free breakfast for the foreign teaching staff, and I could get delicious lunch and dinner at the school canteen for less than a dollar each. At restaurants, you could drop $10 on an expensive dish, but I mostly ate in street cafes for about $3.

Bars can be expensive if you insist on westernstyle ones, which are considered luxurious here.

I had some expat friends who had no problem paying $8 for a mixed drink, but I'd rather drink beer for less than a buck while playing cards with the locals. My strategy was simple: I budgeted 100 yuan (about $16.50) for a day, ďŹ nished most days way under budget, spent the remaining cash on weekends and trips, and ended up saving well over ďŹ fty percent of the money I earned at my job (I was paid 8000 yuan a month, plus housing).

In China, I was required to leave the country every three months - I was so close to Hong Kong and other international destinations that the requirement was really just an excuse to travel more!

Transportation

My workplace was a tenminute walk from my home, so I only took the bus and subway when I wanted to have fun. Buses are slow but clean, frequent, and reliable they cost two yuan or about $0.30. The subway in Guangzhou is amazing - it's the cleanest I've seen, extremely expansive, and mind-blowingly cheap. A trip across town never costs more than $1.25.

Besides changfen? Guangzhou used to be known internationally by its English name, Canton. Anytime you see the word "Cantonese" on the menu, that's food from Guangzhou and Guangdong Province writ large. The people there are said to eat everything that swims, except the boats, and everything that ﬂies, except the airplanes.

Food

So... you can eat pork or chicken or tofu or eggplant or mushrooms. Or you can eat goose or ﬁsh or shrimp or oyster or donkey. You can certainly eat dog, though I never did.

23 23

I also sampled some homemade snakewine and antwine, which are exactly what they sound like.

I did consume plenty of squid, gelatinous turtle shell, and tianji ("ﬁeld chicken," a misleading translation for "Chinese edible frog").

Local Hot Spot The best spot was an unnamed (as far as I know) changfen joint around the corner from my home. Changfen is awesome Chinese breakfast food; Wikipedia says the correct English is "rice noodle roll," apparently. Anyway, you could buy the best kind (with chashao, or char siu, which is barbecued pork) for less than a dollar. Perry's was my favorite Guangzhou bar - it was packed with people from every conceivable part of

the world, and big bottlespacked with people from every conceivable part of the world, and big bottles of beer were less than $2. I never, ever, had a bad night at Perry's - it's a drinkers' bar, which is great as I hate clubs. I spent a lot of time exploring the city on foot. Easily my favorite place to take a walk was Liwanhu Gongyuan, a park and cultural center built around several old-fashioned Chinese canals. Not far from Liwanhu Gongyuan

was the Xiguan neighborhood, the old, treelined part of Guangzhou, which is the coolest part of that city.

Packing Tips

Lots and lots of deodorant. You'll sweat like crazy in the summer humidity, and Chinese grocery stores and pharmacies don't carry western-style deodorant.

Tall guys (like me) shouldn't expect to be able to ﬁnd pants or shoes here - Chinese men simply aren't built like we are, and stores won't have your size.

Bring enough clothes from home to last the entire TN. Also AIESEC gear. Somehow, I forgot to bring a shirt from my home LC, and I never managed to let it go.

Cultural Differences First (and this is universal, from what I learned in encounters with countless foreigners working in China), employers do not share our concept of flexibility when it comes to working hours. Your employer is buying your time, and it belongs to him or her. You need to come to the office even if there's nothing to do that day. For example, if my students had exams with their domestic teachers and I didn't have any classes to teach, that did not preclude me from needing to come to the office. This drove me crazy for a while. Second,

you

won't

receive a schedule in advance. One Friday, my boss came to our ofﬁce and announced that we wouldn't need to report for work the following week.

would all have been sold. Not so! In China, train and bus companies often don't make tickets available until a week or two before the date of departure.

That was awesome, but I worried that I wouldn't be able to travel because the train and bus tickets

Everything changes up until the last minute, so don't plan too far ahead.

The coolest thing I did in China was during Spring Festival, known in the west as Chinese New Year. My girlfriend, who's from Zhuhai city south of Guangzhou, invited me to stay with her family for the week. I was exposed to so many things - ancestor worship, ludicrously dangerous ﬁreworks experi-

Anecdotes

mentation, traditional ﬁshing methods and, most memorably, a pilgrimage to a Buddhist temple in the hills near her hometown. The temple was pretty cool, but what blew my mind were the tens of thousands of people who were going there to pray on the ﬁrst day of the new year. Some threw

coins at an iron turtle statue in a pond - hitting the statue is good luck while others threw ribbons with wishes on them into the branches of the tree. It's the largest group of people of which I've ever been a part while knowing, without doubt, that I was the only foreigner there.

Top 10 of my experience 10. Fun nightlife with hundreds of chances to meet new people. 9. The ultra-modern CBD. 8. Fabulous museums, especially those relating to Chinese history. 7. Deliciously cheap streetside barbecue. 6. Quiet tree-lined streets in Xiguan. 5. The parks. 4. Opportunities for learning Chinese - I knew none before my TN, but I picked up quite a bit while there.

3. Ease of travel to destinations in southern China, as well as to Thailand, Vietnam, and a multitude of other countries.

2. Amazing, exotic, unbelievably delicious food. 1. An awesome community of Chinese people, expats, and AIESECers.

COLOMBIA

Location:

Santa Marta, Colombia

Cassandra Gianni

Job description I was part of the Global Community Develop ment Program teaching English to high school students, university students, and community members. I also Coordinated and facilitated leadership workshops for high school girls.

Visa Process

AIESEC Houston

Living costs

Food is about half the price compared to US standards, not many higher end restaurants, all very local and small scale, lots of street food in terms of transportation, it is very inexpensive in comparison to US. However, clothing and toiletries are around the same price, if not more expensive.

Local Hot Spots

Tourist Spots: Universidad de Santa Marta - the big university in town, with nice facilities, lake and more. Taganga - famous beach by the mountains. Parque Tayrona - national park full of woods and beaches Restaurants: Pizza Vomito - locally famous pizza chain, so delicious HUGE slices! Clubs: La Puerta - very fun latino/ international club

No VISA required, I received a Letter of Invitation (Carta de Invitaci贸n) from my employer.

Transportation Public bus and taxi are both affordable, without long wait times (but there are no signs to really assist you in bus stop locations, street signs, etc). The city is small, so you get everywhere quickly! However, traffic is crazy, so be careful. Also, streets flood very easily during rain, so you cannot really go anywhere

27 27

Food

Lots of rice, plantains, beef, chicken, fish, yucca and mangoes! Also, lots of tropical fruits that we don't have in the US - you have to try the fruit smoothies!

Cultural Differences

Greetings involve hugs and kisses, no greeting is rude. People will arrive late, frequently (around half an hour to an hour) and if you go the club, you may be there dancing until 4am!. If you are offered food, eat it!. Gender roles are very traditional, you will dance, even when you are not at the club! Be careful with dating - in Colombia, people take relationships very seriously. You should definitely try to work on your Spanish - not many speak English. People are so loving and friendly :)

Packing Tips

All year long, it is hot and rainy! So bring the appropriate attire and toiletries. Because clothes and toiletries are expensive there, bring all the key items that you will need for the few months. If you are a technology junkie, there is not much wifi, so bring your own hotspot. Also, no need for an adaptor since they use the same sockets. Also, bring some stomach medicine, because you will experience food poisoning and adjusting to the cuisine.

My Experience

Known for the best beaches and the best dancers in Colombia. It is the oldest city in Colombia, so lots of history and caribbean culture in the music and the food. It was a relaxed environment, very culturally Colombian without much international influence.

Anecdotes

I faced my fear of natural bodies of water and heights by jumping off the tallest waterfall near the coast - made my Colombian mom so proud! I also adopted a kitten while there! I fell in love with a beer called Redds, and missed my flight in search of one last one before going back to the US ^.^

EGYPT

Location:

Job description

Cairo, Egypt

It was an internship with the Global Community Development Program and I stayed in Egypt for 7 weeks. I taught environment issues in two schools. worked from 9am to 3pm Monday to Thursday.

Yilin Chen

Visa Process

I got the visa upon arrival at the airport.

Living costs

AIESEC Madison

The costs were mostly cheap. One U.S dollar equals 5 Egypt pounds. Some local food is just 2 Egypt pounds.

Transportation

They have 2 lines of metro. The third one was under construction. The metro costs 1 Egypt pound. If you want to take taxi, the traffic was not good. This picture is the sign of women carts of the metro. They have separate carts

Local Hot Spots Tourist Spots: Kahla halili (traditional Egyptian market), all the pyramids and temples, Luxor and Aswan, The Opera House. Restaurants: The Coffee place that had internet connection. Clubs: Expat's club.

Food

Koshari (traditional Egyptian food)

Packing Tips Bring scarf!!! No shorts in Egypt. You can find everything you just need informa tion, and also try to get a contact fromthe Expat's club.

Activities with the Local Committee

Cultural Differences

Islamic Culture: such as separation of women and men; women should be with their body covered. I learned you should respect the culture there.

They arranged some travels, such as camping in the white desert for 3 days. THIS IS AMAZING!!! The egyptians cooked local food for us. The sky at night was fantastic! It seemed that you could see every single star in the sky and the star belt was so clear! We didn't take shower for 3 days though, lol.

My Experience In the first week when I was there, I thought that it was gonna be my worst experience in my life. But in the last week, I knew that it was definitely the best experience I had in my life. The first two weeks were hard for me, mainly because of the culture shock, and then I realized that it was time for me to walk out of the my comfort zone and embrace the differences. I tried very hard to adjust myself there. But once I got used to the style and culture there, I realized how beautiful this country was and how nice the Egyptian people are. More than that, I also met so many great people from all over the world! My roommates and I are from 6 different countries! I gained the global perspective in 7weeks. After the experience in Egypt, I became a better version of myself and I learned so many things, such as how to work with people from different backgrounds. I really enjoyed this adventure!

Location:

Job description

Alexandría, Egypt

I was an intern with the ministry of tourism and culture in Egypt. We were 50 interns from 24 different countries and our job was to travel around egypt, attend workshops and promote the culture of egypt through articles, blogs, pictures and a magazine.

Samarth Barot

AIESEC Georgia State

Living Costs

The cost of living was very cheap in Egypt. I was on a Global Community Development Program Internship so my housing was covered. For food, you could get a good egyptian meal for 10-15 egyptian pounds that is around $USD 2-2.5.

Packing Tips

Its really hot and humid everywhere in Egypt. And so pack cotton clothes but if you are a girl be careful and dont pack revealing clothes. pack cotton t shirts.

Cultural Shock!

The trafﬁc was the biggest culture shock. The ﬁrst day I got there, the AIESECers in Alexandria warmed me about crossing a street. They told me that people have died crossing that street and we all took it as a joke then but when we actually tried, it is that deadly. Vehicles dont stop coming even at 1AM. It is the busiest city I have seen.

Visa Process

Being an Indian citizen, I had a get an egypt visa before going, it took 9 days for me to acquire the Visa.

Food

Falafel and Foul. These two are the most delicious and healthy dishes of Egypt. And it was great for me as these are vegetarian dishes.

Local Hot Spots Alexandria is one of the most beautiful cities in Egypt. It is on the beach and so my favorite restaurant was the one right on the beach where you could feel the moist air of the ocean and sip on fresh mango juice.

Cultural Differences Egypt is a very different culture than the US. It is a religious country and so you have to behave and act in a certain way. And also dress in a certain way. The warmth of the people was amazing. I haven't seen such nice people ever. They were just nice to everyone. I love Egypt because of the people I met.

Anecdotes

There is something about the Egyptian people. You have to go there to experience it. They are so loving and warm. I was there during ramadan time and so some of the interns thought of fasting with the locals to experience the culture and we were in for a treat. When it was time to break the fast, people all around us gave us free food and water. It was like people did not care if you were serbian, italian, indian or american, they just saw that you were a fellow faster and they did everything they could to make you feel better after the long day of fasting. I saw humanity.

Activities with the local committee They had a reception team that would take us to different restaurant and bars and organize days to go to their cabin on the beach. It was one of the best reception teams I have seen. As I mentioned earlier, we were 50 interns from all around the world and taking care of all of our needs was a big deal and they did it with perfection.

Transportation

The taxis/cabs are very reasonable and easily available throughout the day and night. There were no student discounts but traveling between the cities is also cheap and easy. But the trafďŹ c is crazy in Egypt.

My experience One of the best moments i had during my internship was on the beach with great food and even greater people what else can you ask for. This experience changed my perspective of the way I saw the world. I was nervous to go to a part of

the world I am not familiar with at all, but I was so pleasantly surprised to see that people all around the world are the same. And I loved connecting with people all around the world and seeing how people our age are all so similar and are passionate

about changing the world for the better.

hungary Location: Kecskemet, Hungary Alisa Dilanian

AIESEC Baruch

Job description I taught English to summer camp children whose ages ranged from 5 to 17. Myself and 8 others from different countries, including Malta, Canada, the UK, Czech Republic, and Hong Kong created lesson plans from scratch while also ensuring the delivery of the English lessons was exciting for young children. We were helped by two professional English teachers to improve our skills in content creation and facilitation.

Living Costs The living costs were very decent in Hungary. For example, a combo meal at McDonalds or Burger King costs $6.00 an a beer costs about $2.00 while a bottle of water is around $1.00 Transportation was really easy in Budapest. A one way ticket on the tram, metro, or bus cost about $1.50. There wasn't a long wait time and it was very clean. The important thing to remember is to always buy a ticket -

In general, Hungary is cheaper than big cities in the US but isn't a signiďŹ cantly cheaper place to live, much like any other country in Western or Central Europe.

Transportation

otherwise you get a big ďŹ ne. There are also many train stations which provide easy access to trains going to all parts of Europe for reasonable prices.

Good clothing is more expensive in Europe as opposed to the US because there isn't as much of a supply so it's best to do shopping before going abroad.

Food

Hungary's signature dish is Goulash which was originally made by Hungarian herdsmen centuries ago. Goulash is a soup or stew of meat, noodles and vegetables , seasoned with paprika and other spices.

Goulash is so popular that it has become a staple symbol of the country and all Hungarians know how to make goulash they also love to teach foreigners how to make it themselves!

For me a perfect night out consists of having a few drinks outdoors, playing billiards or ping pong, and then going dancing - in order to accomplish all of this, I would usually have to go to three different locations but in Budapest you can accomplish all of this in Morrison's 2.

It features an outdoor courtyard with a bar, a ﬂoor with billiards, ping pong, and arcade games, and a basement with three different clubs and bars. It's one of those places you can go to every week and never get bored with something to do for everyone,

Local Hot Spot

Packing Tips

You can find everything you need in Hungary but the most important thing to pack is your clothes. Prices for toiletries, food, and other such necessities are similar to the US so you don't have to worry about finding them. However, clothing isn't as cheap as in the US and you may not find clothing that fits your style.

It's important to remember to pack any special things you may need allergy medicine, special toiletries, and a few things that remind you of home. And you should remember to pack a roll of toilet paper, you never know when you might need it in Central Europe. Oh! And don't forget a converter!

ou can go with a large group of friends and everyone will enjoy the evening!

Activities with the local committee The local committee was amazing. They met us at the airport with balloons and signs then took us to our hostel so we could get situated. Then they took us around the city and to a party so we could meet the other AIESECers there and the other interns in Budapest.

Cultural Differences The biggest cultural difference I found was the lack of diversity. I come from a big city (New York) and I am used to all types of different cultures and people - it's not as common in Central or Eastern Europe to ﬁnd such diversity. Also, I noticed that as an American, I had to prove to the Hungarians that the stereotypes they’d heard were not true. Once they realized this, they were very welcoming.

Cultural Shock!

The biggest culture shock I experienced was adjusting to living in a country where a minority of people spoke English and their home language was difﬁcult to pick up quickly. Once I got used to this broken communication, it became much easier to adjust.

Anecdotes

While we were teaching at the summer camp, we build really strong bonds with the other instructors and camp counselors. Our last week at the camp, we decided to prank one another so we went into the room of two of the counselors and opened 16 umbrellas to put on every space possible. The look on their faces when they tried to walk into their room was priceless. Fearing retaliation, we packed our entire room and as quietly as possible relocated to a different building. Little did we know, it was pouring rain - needless to say, we ended up drenched. But as winners of the prank war, we still remember this memory whenever we talk to each other - it's been three years now and I'll never forget these small but precious moments of my experience.

About Kecskemet

In New York, you're constantly surrounded by bridges that connect the different areas of the city together. The bridges are a symbol of the unity of city and thus I grew up appreciating the beauty of these majestic structures. I would’ve never thought that the bridges in Budapest, which connect the cities of Buda and Pest could be even more majestic and beautiful. The bridges of Budapest are quite possibly one of

the most intriguing and everlasting memories I will hold in my life. My dream is to one day revisit these bridges so I can experience the beauty again.

My Experience I spent two months in Hungary and even though that's only 0.7% of my life, it's a time that I will never forget. The experiences I had both big and small

were instrumental in shaping the way that I view the world and what I appreciate about life. Most importantly, my time abroad taught me that the greatest thing we have in our lives is our friends and family. The friendships I made are everlasting and no matter how much time passes, I will never forget how the

people I met in Hungary made me feel or the love that I have for them. An exchange is not about time or location, it's what you make of it and who you surround yourself with - I got lucky because the timing was right, the location was perfect, and the people I surrounded myself with taught me how to be a better me and I am forever grateful.

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Job description

Michael Illas

Teach kids English and promote cultural awareness about the American culture.

Living Costs

Around $3000 for 3 months

Packing Tips AIESEC Baruch

Food

Local Hot Spots

Transportation

Freedom Bridge, Corvin Teto, Akvarium, Szimpla Kert, A38, New York CafĂŠ, Morrisons 1, Morrisons 2, Margaret Island, etc. I loved the city!

Goulash, Potatoes, Meats, and great beer. It was always extremely punctual, clean and fast!

A phone that has google maps, a camera, sunglasses and clothes. Obviously money as well.

Culture

They're a lot more family orientated and a lot more open and public with their affections. Everyone is genuinely nice and tries to help you out.

My Experience I absolutely loved the city to death. The way the people are, the way transportation is, the weather, the nightlife, the beautiful women, the delicious food and beer. How cheap and easy it was to travel. I just loved Hungary!

OTHER COUNTRIES

AIESEC United States is part of an International Network of more than 124 countries and territories, as such, we send students to more than 70 countries. In the next pages you will ﬁnd some stories with countries in different contitents.

Germany

México

Armenia

Cameroon

Croatia

India

Vietnam

Estonia Ghana Kenya

Romania Perú

37 40

cameroon

Location:

Job description

Cameroon

I traveled to 3 different regions in Cameroon teaching at different orphanages and one village, English as well as environmental protection

Charlotte Dubald

and health sensitization. There were 28 of us from 12 different countries so it was a very dynamic and diverse group.

Visa Process

I applied for my Visa through a company. I ﬁrst ﬁlled out an online application then sent them ianmy passport for them to

AIESEC Appalach

Food

A lot of grilled ﬁsh, plantain bananas, beans and potatoes an the most traditional dish: Cassava

Transportation

It was completely different from the USA but mainly motto taxis and vans when we traveled to distant places

bring to the Embassy. It took about 3 weeks to get my passport with the Visa back.

Living Costs

We paid about $200-300 for water and electricity but mainly for traveling since we went to different places around the country.

Local Hot Spots

Limbe was very pretty. Dschang was rural but nice as well. Douala is a bigger city and therefore dirtier but there is more to do there.

Anecdotes

When we went to one of the villages, it was the ďŹ rst they had ever seen foreigners. Since we had a lot of Chinese teammates, they would sometime teach the kids basic words. After a few days, no matter where we walked children started greeting us saying "Nihao" instead of "bonjour" or "hello".

Packing Tips

Mosquito net and rain jacket. Also bring tennis shoes and a sweater (it can get cold at night). If you can a sleeping bag and pack light since you will be traveling around the country

Cultural Shock!

African Time: we would always leave hours after the original planned departure time.

Another time was when a pharmaceutical company was launching their new products and were looking for foreign girls to be on the commercial post-

ers.. One day, as we were working at the University, they noticed us and selected a few of us for a casting. If we had stayed one week longer in Douala, we would probably have ended up being models for their products.

My Experience I loved the fruits sold on the streets, the many markets that you could ďŹ nd around and riding motto taxis was a really fun experience.

Croatia

Location:

Brac, Croatia Lydia Chalek

Job description

We were responsible for interviewing locals on the island to determine how best to allocate funds to improve tourism. This research went into a ďŹ nal SWOT analysis.

Living Costs

Cheap. Buying groceries was probably half the price of buying in the United States.

AIESEC Michigan

Local Hot Spots

There were so many great bars and clubs in Split. My favorite activities, however, were right on Brac. The Adriatic Sea was probably where I spent most of my time, which

was also convenient because it was two steps from my front door. My roommates and I would kayak, swim, and just lay out in the sun.

Transportation

In the cities it was great. Brac is a smaller island, however, so getting around was more difďŹ cult. We hitchhiked and took the ferry to Split.

Packing Tips

A bathing suit! Shorts, tank tops, sneakers... it's hot and there are so many outdoor activities.

Cultural Shock!

Sometimes people in the cities didn't want to deal with tourists. However, most people were very nice (especially on Brac).

Food

The locals we interviewed were incredibly generous and would often treat us to some of the local cuisine. The seafood on the island was so fresh and amazing.

Anecdotes

The best thing about my AIESEC trip was the people I encountered. Everyone from my roommates to the random tourists we would meet in hostels made the experience incredibly rich and unique. My roommates and I befriended a taxi driver named Tony who would give us rides home at 3 am for free, we would walk to our boss's house to play with his enormous rabbit, and we traded home cooked meals for our neighbor's homemade wine. I have too many hilarious memories and inside jokes to write down from my time in Croatia.

Over the two months, my roommates and I also had an ongoing cooking competition, where we would make food from our home countries.

About Brac

Some of the best things about Brac was that everything was absolutely gorgeous. Anywhere you stood on the island, no matter which direction you were facing, looked like a postcard picture. Perfect, beautiful weather every day.

Mauritius

Location:

Job description

Rose Hill, Mauritius

I worked on an environmental internship. We set up recycling bins around the country, taught the locals about environmental sustainability, and held clean up events in different communities.

Selina Yasin

Visa Process

AIESEC Baruch

It was extremely cheap there compared to NYC. The currency exchange rate is 31 RUB to 1 USD. A meal at a fancy restaurant would cost around $10-15 USD.

I did not require a visa to travel to Mauritius.

Living Costs

A 2 liter bottle of water costs about 30 cents USD. Bars and activities were more expensive The price to get into clubs was around $22.50 USD, and that was the discounted

Local Hot Spots Our favorite local spots were the beaches! There were so many and they were all beautiful. We would sometimes spend the entire day at the beach swimming, snorkeling, playing games, boating, dancing, and watching the sunsets. It was the

best place to bond and have fun for free.

tourist price. The price for locals was around $28 USD. Activities were also expensive because they were for tourists, around $30 USD for cheaper activities.

Food

Although Mauritius is located in Africa, many of the people are from Indian or Chinese decent. The local food was an interesting mixture of Chinese and Indian cuisines. Also, on special occasions like weddings they ate on banana leaves.

Transportation

The only transportation there was bus or walking. There weren't many bus stations so a lot of the times people walked everywhere. We had to walk 30 minutes from our apartment to the nearest bus station. The fare was based on the distance you went. The buses also left only when they were full, or almost full. There was no set schedule for the busses.

Most of the buses also stopped running around 6pm. There were student discounts but only for university students, and Mauritius only has two universities in the entire island. There was a man who came down the aisles and collected your money from you, you did not pay as soon as you walked in. The buses were all very colorful and decorated.

Packing Tips

Pack lots of loose clothes, it's going to be hot! But the nights get kind of chilly so pack a hoodie. Pack lots of bathing suits

and comfy shoes there'll be lots of walking. Also pack an extra pair of shoes because if you loose or break one pair you'll have to travel really far to get another.

Cultural Differences

In Mauritius every Thursday and Sunday almost everyone has off work and on Saturdays almost everyone has work. So everyone parties usually on Wednesday night and Saturday night. Also, almost everyone is vegetarian so meat dishes are not that common and usually more expensive. Also for weddings there are no RSVP's. It is not uncommon to just walk into a wedding and start eating, drinking, and partying as long as you bring a gift or money. When I was in Mauritius the 21 other interns and I got invited to a wedding the day before it was happening, and we had absolutely no idea who the couple was.

If you are a foreigner visiting Mauritius you will get the full VIP treatment! They absolutely love foreigners. Everywhere you go you will get discounts on everything and everyone will want to hear your story.

About Mauritius The best thing about Mauritius is all the beautiful nature. Not many people have heard of it, so it is fairly untouched by tourists. So most of the nature is still intact. Wherever you are you're never that far away from a beautiful beach or a peaceful green mountain. And there are hundreds of plants and animals that you can't ďŹ nd in the urban jungles of NYC. It was just so refreshing to be somewhere so natural and so incredibly beautiful.

Anecdotes

Something weird is that so many people will invite you over to their house for dinner. At ďŹ rst I thought they all wanted to kill me but in actuality they were just all being nice.

To them, having foreigners over at their houses was something special and something that made all their friends jealous. You feel like a celebrity the whole time you're there.

PERU Location:

Lima, Peru

Visa Process

We did it on a tourist visa. Many nationalities can get a tourist visa simply by entering the country.

William Macy Pruitt

Living Costs

Peru is generally a cheap place for an American. The LC (PaciďŹ co) handled lodging so I can't really speak on it. AIESEC Missouri

Job description

I worked at the Colegio Mayor Secondario del Presidente de Peru as an English teaching assistant. I helped in English classes and led a conversation club. I played tennis and soccer with the students.

Transportation

We did lots of walking and used the buses. We used taxis if we needed to travel later.

Food

The typical dishes are Ceviche, Lomo saltado, aji de gallina, and anticuchos.

The CMSPP is a national school with the highest-scoring students from all of the public schools in the country. They are brought to Chaclacayo to live and study there. Most students are from poor families and were very grateful for the opportunity to study there. I worked with 5 other interns and we lived together close to the school. It was a truly memorable experience.

Packing Tips

Bring a travel towel. You can buy a cheap cellphone when you get there

Local Hot Spots

Punto Azul - A restaurant with excellent ceviche, arroz con mariscos, and chaufa. Fills up on Sundays, but worth the wait. Has locations in Miraﬂores, Surco, La Molina.

Polvos Azules - A market with electronics, clothing, and accessories. You can ﬁnd anything here - especially good for pirated computer programs and movies. Center of Lima.

Parque de la Reserva Circuito Mágico del Agua A night time park just south of the national stadium. No water slides, just lighted fountains that are illuminated and move to music. A nice place to walk around with a date.

Activities with the local committee

Larcomar - A mall built into a cliff in Miraﬂores. A beautiful spot to sip on something and watch the sunset. The stores and restaurants are generally expensive.

We had an orientation and went out a few times in Lima.

Cultural Differences Peruvians are more communal than Americans. You see this in food and drink ritual.

Anecdotes

I learned that "sentir" and "sentar" have very different meanings.

My experience

I wanted to experience Peruvian culture and practice Spanish. Spending time with the gifted students at the national school was a perk. I enjoyed planning and leading a conversation club. The kids loved spending time with us and didn't want to leave when the club was over. I lived in a house with a German, 2 Poles, a New Zealander, and another American - harmoniously for 3 months. It was a unique experience that I won't ever forget.

romania Job description

Constanta, Romania

Mana Kanatsu

AIESEC Baruch

Living Costs An Average meal would be US$5 and the high class would be $15 per mean. My city was right next to the Black Sea and it was a tourist area so the living costs during summer were apparently more expensive than the other cities in Romania. But even so, the living cost was greatly cheaper than the U.S.

Transportation

There was a mini bus which is 1 Leu (US$.30) and takes you all around the city. There was normal buses which was $2 Lei. Taxis were cheap but they deďŹ nitely ripped us off once they knew we weren't from the area. So it is better to take a taxi with a Romanian who knows the language and where to go.

I taught local high school students age from 16-18 skills that they don't touch upon in class in English. The skills included public speaking, future career choice, team management, leadership, and cultural awareness. We also had a week training with the other interns from different LCs in Romania to get trained before we started our internship with the students.

There were trains to take us out of Constanta.

Packing Tips First of all: Mosquito repellent (A MUST), also sunscreen, sunglasses and a swimsuit. Extra towels, clothes and a lot of under wears! (I couldn't do laundry for 3 weeks). Cute dresses to impress them Romanian boys.

I loved the Black Sea-just relax day and night, eat sunďŹ&#x201A;ower seeds and drink beer. We also played volleyball on the beach, or throw a birthday party. At night it was like a private beach because no one was there. We also liked to hang out

Food

Salmare-minced meat mixed with rice and other aliments (rice) and wrapped in cabbage or vine leaves in the form of rolls. Mamaliga (cornmeal mush) with grilled chicken. and Snitzel (fried pork).

Local Hot Spots

at fast food restaurants in the center of the city and see the sunset while we ate dinner.

had the energy, we stayed until the sunrise and see the beautiful sunrise with my friends.

The night life was interesting too. The clubs were near the beach so we got to listen to music and dance around the beach. Sometimes if we

We also went to the mountains called Transilvania, where there are a lot of old Dracula's Castle. it was just simply beautiful!

Cultural Differences

There are absolutely NO Asians in Constanta so it was uncomfortable to be starred at wherever I went. (Even babies gave me a glare). But now that I am back and don't get starred at, I kind of miss the attention... :). Also

people are pretty laid back and don't come on time or don't ďŹ nish on time for what you tell them to do-so it was hard to adapt to the chill culture at ďŹ rst. But they taught me I shouldn't be uptight and less stressed.

Since I don't speak any of the Roman languages, it was hard for me to pronounce Romanian. When I went to the supermarket and was looking for 'lemon' I wanted to impress the cashier by saying where's the lemon in Romanian.

It was a pretty small city, so you kind of knew the ways once you stayed for a month. After a month of living in Constanta, we often would go shopping, tried to

Anecdotes

Instead, I said 'where's the penis' because lemon is so similar to the word penis in Romanian. Another story was when I told my students at my internship that I was from NYC, they all thought I was living the celebrity lives as

My Experience

negotiate the prices with out beginner's Romanian. Although some may think that Romania is dangerous because of the Gypsy situation, they really didn't cause any

they see in the movies, with body guards, maids, a fancy car carrying a small dog at all times (just like Paris HIlton, or Kim Kardashian). But when I told them I actually live in a small apartment like a normal person they didn't believe me.

harm as long as you don't interfere with their lives. It was the summer where I forgot about time and just had a relaxing 2 months.

37 52

vietnam

Location:

Hanoi, Vietnam

Alex Williams

Job description I was in charge of helping design and implement a corporate membership program to help the company that I was working for get more support and revenues. I worked for an organization who's purpose was to help social

entrepreneurs get their enterprises to the next level through ďŹ scal, administrative, or social support means. The other interns that I lived with, which was about 35 other interns, mainly did teaching or summer camp activities.

Visa Process

AIESEC San Luis Obispo

I went through a 3rd party company called Vietnam Visa Corp, which helped facilitate visas on arrival. It took less than a week to get everything

Transportation

The bus was 15 cents per ride, and you could take it all the way across town. You had to wait 10 minutes for the popular buses, and up to 45-60 minutes for the less popular routes. You could buy a monthly pass as a foreigner for about 3.5 USD I believe, so if you take the bus multiple times a day I would

recommend it. In Vietnam, it's considered rude to be talking on the bus so be sure to keep quiet; also, give up your seat for an elder / pregnant woman if you see them standing. As far as taxis go, there is a green taxi that is the safest to take (I forgot the name). There is also a red / white / blue one, and I

processed, then another hour or so once I got to the airport (because the security guards take their time printing your visa).

also forgot the name. They are a tad more expensive, but much better regulated and there is a much lower chance of you getting ripped off. For motorbikes, always bargain. They usually try to charge you 3 times as much as it should be. A 20 minute ride should be 2-2.50 USD.

Living Costs

The average meal if you went to a street restaurant was 1-3 USD, however you could go to a nicer sit-down restaurant for 4-7 USD. You could get suits / dresses tailor

Local Hot Spots

Temple of literature, Market Bar, Pottery Village, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, HCM museum

Food

Cha, Pho Bo, Banh My Pate

Packing Tips

If you're going during the summer, pack for it to be very hot and very wet. Get some good shoes that will hold up in the rain, a good umbrella / raincoat, and some loose clothing. Also bring anti-diharreals and ibuprofen (to reduce fevers, etc.) Lastly, bring anti itch cream, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant.

made in Hoi'An for pretty cheap (150-200 USD), but in general I didn't ďŹ nd that dress clothing in the city was much cheaper than the U.S. Shoes and sandals were 5-15 USD,

t-shirts were 2-5 USD, and I'm not sure how much pants were. Either way, if you went to the night market you could get stuff for pretty cheap.

TRAVEL TIPS General Tips When you travel abroad is important to make sure some things are taken care of, like plane tickets and visas, here are some tips that can help you while you travel with AIESEC’s Programs. • Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and ﬁll in the emergency information page of your passport. • Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. • AIESEC United States provides each exchange participant with an international insurance and an international student card. • Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws

Buying a Plane Ticket You can always ﬁnd really good deals for plane tickets if you do it with time and search properly on the web. Make sure you know speciﬁcally the city /place you’re landing on and that you have contact information from the Local Committee there here are some websites we recommend for your trip.

• • • • • • • •

Kayak.com Expedia.com Studentuniverse.com Travelocity.com Orbitz.com Cheaptickets.com Vayama.com Skyscanner.com

Application to Visas Every country has a different Visa Application process, and with AIESEC it depends a lot on the type of internship, the duration and other factors that inﬂuence of the type of Visa you’ll get.

Weather Check the season of the year you’re going and if it’s different on the country you’re traveling to. It may bsummer in the United States and Winter in the other country! and then Pack accordingly!

Budget Budget your expenditures. Try to estimate your average cost per day (food, accommodation, and sightseeing). Remember to factor in travel insurance, emergencies, and shopping as well!

Vaccinations

Check about vaccinations for the country you are traveling to. Consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the embassies of the countries you are traveling to. Some countries may have unusual or outdated vaccination requirements which you will nevertheless need to show proof of before you can enter the country.

Electricity Find out about the voltage and types of electrical sockets used, and buy adapters if you are bringing electrical appliances.

Packing Tips Choose luggage that is lightweight, roomy, and easy to carry, yet durable enough to withstand rough treatment. Choosing a basic wardrobe will help you pack light. Select clothes that will coordinate well with each other to avoid extra packing. Take travel-size toiletries instead of full bottles. This will help to save space and reduce weight. Always carry your travel documents, medication, jewelry, traveler's checks, keys, and other valuables in your hand luggage. Items such as these should NEVER be packed in luggage that you intend to check. Make a list of things you plan to take with you on your trip. Remember to bring your camera to document your trip. It will be an amazing life’changing experience!