This post is dedicated to amazing people spread around the world (Ecuador, Colombia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Belgium, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco - random order) who have something in common. They are all AIESECers, they were all working in AIESEC in Poland previously and they are no longer working for AIESEC in Poland but for AIESEC in other countries (or are on internships).
Although, I didn't know all of them very well before, now I must admit that it's totally different. It's the fact that we are all in the same situation, facing the same challenges, the same successes, the same problems, the same frustrations and having the best experience ever (at least for me:)
It's so fucking great to listen to others' experiences and have the feeling that you are listening to your own experience. It's so cool that you can share the same things and others will totally understand you!
It's so great to have someone to whom you can tell everything that you normally wouldn't say here!
Thanks for having you!
Emigration always together!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Alignment between Individual & Organiztional Goals
One of the critical success factors (CSF) for assuring high volume of experiences of AIESEC members is a state when individuals' goals are aligned with organizational ones. The explanation for that is quite simple. You're more motivated to work for the organization when you clearly see the benefits that you gain yourself.
I'm proud to admit that I'm a good case practice for that CSF :) My Finance role in AIESEC in Morocco is not only building basics of finance and developing people here - it is also a great experience for me as an individual since this is the area where I want to work in the future.
Last time, I realized that there is much more "alingment points". On Monday, I was preparing for the meeting with Younes (LCP that I'm coach of). I wanted to talk to him about EB management and then I realized that while preparing I gained a lot of knowledge about LCP role and moreover, I'm sure my LC coach role will surely bring me more leadership knowledge and experience which is of course essential when/if I apply for MCP.
There are bunches of other examples but I don't feel I need to write about everything right now. The post would be too long.
I just love my job:)
I'm proud to admit that I'm a good case practice for that CSF :) My Finance role in AIESEC in Morocco is not only building basics of finance and developing people here - it is also a great experience for me as an individual since this is the area where I want to work in the future.
Last time, I realized that there is much more "alingment points". On Monday, I was preparing for the meeting with Younes (LCP that I'm coach of). I wanted to talk to him about EB management and then I realized that while preparing I gained a lot of knowledge about LCP role and moreover, I'm sure my LC coach role will surely bring me more leadership knowledge and experience which is of course essential when/if I apply for MCP.
There are bunches of other examples but I don't feel I need to write about everything right now. The post would be too long.
I just love my job:)
Saturday, October 20, 2007
betterment
So finally, it's much better here in Morocco! I'm definitely better! I owe it to awesome people - my friends who were supporting me throughout last days and secondly, my dentist :) Yes, my wonderful dentist got rid of the most horrible toothache, I've ever had! I still have one visit on Tuesday but I think the worst is already behind me! Today was a better day as well since I spent it by having more contact with people - not like last days when I was stuck in my room suffering from the pain(s). And I have cool plans for tomorrow as well.
And another wonderful news! I'm going to France in mid of November (I must travel because I don't have Moroccan visa - you know this already). You also know that I paid only 25 euro (incl. return ticket) for Fes-Marseille route (God bless RyanAir!). Today, I've booked TGV tickets to get to Paris!!! (and of course I managed to get a good price - 56 euro incl. return) which means that I won't spend 5 days in Marseille but I will be in wonderful Paris! Whoo hooo! The last and first time I was in Paris was in 2000 and I've been dreaming of coming back there ever since! This is gonna be an awesome weekend! Meeting some old friends, wandering within the city, taking pics, practising my French and enjoying the atmosphere! Can't wait! 24 days and counting!
And booking confirmation :)
And another wonderful news! I'm going to France in mid of November (I must travel because I don't have Moroccan visa - you know this already). You also know that I paid only 25 euro (incl. return ticket) for Fes-Marseille route (God bless RyanAir!). Today, I've booked TGV tickets to get to Paris!!! (and of course I managed to get a good price - 56 euro incl. return) which means that I won't spend 5 days in Marseille but I will be in wonderful Paris! Whoo hooo! The last and first time I was in Paris was in 2000 and I've been dreaming of coming back there ever since! This is gonna be an awesome weekend! Meeting some old friends, wandering within the city, taking pics, practising my French and enjoying the atmosphere! Can't wait! 24 days and counting!
And booking confirmation :)
Friday, October 19, 2007
stuck
I guess this is the worst week I've had here so far. Not only break up but also horrible tootache that I've been suffering from since Wednesday/Thursday night. I cannot do anything. I just try to sleep or sit in front of laptop and watch movies.
On Wednesday, I went to the dentist to fix one of my teeth. He did it partially and set a next meeting on next Thursday. But after the appointment it started to hurt awfully :( Painkillers don't help at all. I don't know if I'm supposed to wait until next Thursday or what? I hope I will make it or the pain will be gone. Btw, going to dentist in Morocco was totally fine (conditions were good).
Oh crap! I'm really fed up with this everything :( I love my life in general but these days it's really shit...
On Wednesday, I went to the dentist to fix one of my teeth. He did it partially and set a next meeting on next Thursday. But after the appointment it started to hurt awfully :( Painkillers don't help at all. I don't know if I'm supposed to wait until next Thursday or what? I hope I will make it or the pain will be gone. Btw, going to dentist in Morocco was totally fine (conditions were good).
Oh crap! I'm really fed up with this everything :( I love my life in general but these days it's really shit...
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
people - part 3 "friends"
Today, I was supposed to work a lot during the day and in the evening as well but somehow I didn't manage to achieve as much as I wanted. First of all, it was too hard for me to focus on work after what happened on Monday (see the previous post). Secondly (and it is related to "first of all"), I was almost all the time either chatting with someone on the Internet or talking face to face. Why? I needed to share my frustrations and talk about what hurt me recently (see the previous post). And I must admit that talking a lot about all bad things that happened really helps.
But this post is NOT gonna be about how I feel after Monday. It’s gonna be about awesome people that are either here in Morocco or in Poland or in bunches of other countries and they care about what I feel and although hardly anything can make me feel better they are doing their best to help me. Friends, colleagues, work/flat/room mates – no matter which word you will use. There is a Polish proverb saying ‘Przyjaciol poznaje sie w biedzie’ which means (not literally but just the meaning) that you see the true friends when you’re in troubles or when you have problems. And I’m so thankful that I have such people here and so many of them passed this ‘test’ today. Thank you all! I’m not even going to try to count how many of you wanted to cheer me up today through MSN, skype, GG or just by talking face to face! Big thanks! Love ya all!
I’ve always valued friendship more than relationship with other person. Am I still right? Is friendship more than relationship? Hard to compare. Some things you get only through friendship, some only through relationship. I think the best is to have both and to combine them which is of course possible. For now, I have friends and I’m extremely happy about that!
For all my friends a snapshot about friendship from 'Sex and the City' of course! (it’s just one minute – watch it! it took me a while to find it!:)
But this post is NOT gonna be about how I feel after Monday. It’s gonna be about awesome people that are either here in Morocco or in Poland or in bunches of other countries and they care about what I feel and although hardly anything can make me feel better they are doing their best to help me. Friends, colleagues, work/flat/room mates – no matter which word you will use. There is a Polish proverb saying ‘Przyjaciol poznaje sie w biedzie’ which means (not literally but just the meaning) that you see the true friends when you’re in troubles or when you have problems. And I’m so thankful that I have such people here and so many of them passed this ‘test’ today. Thank you all! I’m not even going to try to count how many of you wanted to cheer me up today through MSN, skype, GG or just by talking face to face! Big thanks! Love ya all!
I’ve always valued friendship more than relationship with other person. Am I still right? Is friendship more than relationship? Hard to compare. Some things you get only through friendship, some only through relationship. I think the best is to have both and to combine them which is of course possible. For now, I have friends and I’m extremely happy about that!
For all my friends a snapshot about friendship from 'Sex and the City' of course! (it’s just one minute – watch it! it took me a while to find it!:)
Monday, October 15, 2007
single :(
The title says everything :( What can I add more?
At least, I should be thankful for having true friends who can pick me up from the train station and take for ice-creams to make me feel better. Thank you, Ashley and Catarina! :)
At least, I should be thankful for having true friends who can pick me up from the train station and take for ice-creams to make me feel better. Thank you, Ashley and Catarina! :)
Thursday, October 11, 2007
AIESEC updates
What’s new in AIESEC in Morocco?
Last week, the school year started and at the same time I started working in the office – not in my flat anymore. I feel it’s much better for me. Instead of working whole day at home I do AIESEC stuff in the office and the later I’m usually free to do my personal stuff or not to do anything :)
What’s more we have a new office!! Actually it’s one additional room which is bigger than the current one which means that our office space has more than doubled! Another thing is that from today we have wireless Internet connection in the office!! Our infrastructure develops rapidly! :)
My work goes fine as well. I’ve realized a lot of my plan so far and I feel that finance here really starts to work! I have also noticed how I have changed thanks to being part of Member Committee and how I have developed but this is a topic for a separate post. However, there is still a lot more to be done in terms of finance management. I enjoy working with my VPFs without whom it would be much more difficult to change anything for better.
My second important role after MCVPF (MCVPF=Member Committee Vice President Finance) is LC coach (LC=Local Committee) which means that I’m responsible for development and support of one of our local office based in Casablanca. The current reality there is really harsh as there are really few members, no money, no knowledge. But the current LCP (LCP=Local Committee President – head of this office) is really motivated and has a good understanding of how things should go. Together we will make it work (as we say – from zero to hero:) ). The recruitment there is about to start and this would be a moment of truth since it is a really crucial period in every LC life.
The structure of AIESEC in Morocco is not very complicated – there is MC (7 people) +NST (NST=National Support Team, 5 people) and 3 LCs. One of the LC (Les Ambassadeurs) and MC are located in the same school in Rabat. LC office is just next to us so obviously we often meet each other. Second LC (Hassan) is situated in another school just 5 minutes walk from MC and Les Ambassadeurs. This may seem illogical but actually LC Hassan and school that hosts it were located somewhere else and since the school changed its location the LC had to move as well. The third LC (Anfa) is in Casablanca. There is also one huge and very good university in Ifrane (a small city next to Fes) where we will probably open fourth LC. Hopefully, there will be more expansions next years. The name of the LC usually comes from the name of the city district when it’s located (compendium forbids to name the LC with the name of the city or the university). Regarding my MC team, there will be a very crucial and positive change within its structure but I cannot give you more details! However, I’m extremely excited!
Working in a small AIESEC country means that you do more operational stuff and not only strategic things. You are also more close to members which is often very good – what would be working in AIESEC without working with people? – especially those who are just starting their AIESEC paths. LC Les Ambassadeurs invited me last time to say a few words during info session for potential members. It was so cool to speak about my international experience in front of around 100 students interested or considering joining AIESEC. We’ll see how many of them will join the LC.
And the future – I don’t want to give too many details right now about my future in AIESEC. I’ll just tell you that I’m trying to gather as much information as possible and to think of possible solutions of many challenges I currently have so that in December I will take the best decision possible. Sooner or later, you will know it ;)
Last week, the school year started and at the same time I started working in the office – not in my flat anymore. I feel it’s much better for me. Instead of working whole day at home I do AIESEC stuff in the office and the later I’m usually free to do my personal stuff or not to do anything :)
What’s more we have a new office!! Actually it’s one additional room which is bigger than the current one which means that our office space has more than doubled! Another thing is that from today we have wireless Internet connection in the office!! Our infrastructure develops rapidly! :)
My work goes fine as well. I’ve realized a lot of my plan so far and I feel that finance here really starts to work! I have also noticed how I have changed thanks to being part of Member Committee and how I have developed but this is a topic for a separate post. However, there is still a lot more to be done in terms of finance management. I enjoy working with my VPFs without whom it would be much more difficult to change anything for better.
My second important role after MCVPF (MCVPF=Member Committee Vice President Finance) is LC coach (LC=Local Committee) which means that I’m responsible for development and support of one of our local office based in Casablanca. The current reality there is really harsh as there are really few members, no money, no knowledge. But the current LCP (LCP=Local Committee President – head of this office) is really motivated and has a good understanding of how things should go. Together we will make it work (as we say – from zero to hero:) ). The recruitment there is about to start and this would be a moment of truth since it is a really crucial period in every LC life.
The structure of AIESEC in Morocco is not very complicated – there is MC (7 people) +NST (NST=National Support Team, 5 people) and 3 LCs. One of the LC (Les Ambassadeurs) and MC are located in the same school in Rabat. LC office is just next to us so obviously we often meet each other. Second LC (Hassan) is situated in another school just 5 minutes walk from MC and Les Ambassadeurs. This may seem illogical but actually LC Hassan and school that hosts it were located somewhere else and since the school changed its location the LC had to move as well. The third LC (Anfa) is in Casablanca. There is also one huge and very good university in Ifrane (a small city next to Fes) where we will probably open fourth LC. Hopefully, there will be more expansions next years. The name of the LC usually comes from the name of the city district when it’s located (compendium forbids to name the LC with the name of the city or the university). Regarding my MC team, there will be a very crucial and positive change within its structure but I cannot give you more details! However, I’m extremely excited!
Working in a small AIESEC country means that you do more operational stuff and not only strategic things. You are also more close to members which is often very good – what would be working in AIESEC without working with people? – especially those who are just starting their AIESEC paths. LC Les Ambassadeurs invited me last time to say a few words during info session for potential members. It was so cool to speak about my international experience in front of around 100 students interested or considering joining AIESEC. We’ll see how many of them will join the LC.
And the future – I don’t want to give too many details right now about my future in AIESEC. I’ll just tell you that I’m trying to gather as much information as possible and to think of possible solutions of many challenges I currently have so that in December I will take the best decision possible. Sooner or later, you will know it ;)
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
I'm soooo fine :)
What is happening back here in Morocco? People are partying just behind the wall and I’m sitting in front of my laptop in my room on my own. It’s not for the first time. This has been happening for a few weeks now! – either working or watching my favorite TV shows / Bollywood movies or listening to music or chatting with my old friends or studying French or thinking about my potential future year in AIESEC… My flat mates seem to do their best to make me join them but they hardly ever succeed.
What’s my answer to questions posted on the beginning of the post? – I don’t give a shit! I don’t care as soon as I feel comfortable with how it is. I got the feeling that my development is going towards the right direction. And when it comes to people it’s about quality not quantity so I make sure I take care of the right relations. So why should I care?
It’s not time to party – it’s time to seek for challenges. It’s time to jump ;)
And for the end of the post listen to one of my favorite Bollywood song (just recently found) from awesome movie ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’
What’s my answer to questions posted on the beginning of the post? – I don’t give a shit! I don’t care as soon as I feel comfortable with how it is. I got the feeling that my development is going towards the right direction. And when it comes to people it’s about quality not quantity so I make sure I take care of the right relations. So why should I care?
It’s not time to party – it’s time to seek for challenges. It’s time to jump ;)
And for the end of the post listen to one of my favorite Bollywood song (just recently found) from awesome movie ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’
Thursday, October 4, 2007
something cool recently found on Facebook
Only great minds can read this
This is weird, but interesting! This is a cool thing check it out.
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it
FORWARD ONLY IF YOU CAN READ IT
This is weird, but interesting! This is a cool thing check it out.
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it
FORWARD ONLY IF YOU CAN READ IT
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
5th year student
I can finally say that I'm 5th year student and I can enjoy my year off here in Morocco. Although I passed all my exams in May I still had to write part of my thesis in June. And I did it but in September. Last week was a bit crazy trying to get all the wpisy (signatures of professors proving that you passed the course). Actually, there were only 2 but it was challenging to get them. Then it turned out that I would need one more from library. But it was done as well. Today my indeks (a student book with all the mentioned signatures) was taken to dean's office. So I'm done with 4th year and I can officially take a year off (yes, I still haven't done it:)
I would like to thank a few people who took care of my student book: Ania W (my group mate), Tomek, Weronisia and Madzia (AIESECers from my LC in Gdansk).
Without you I would be kicked out from my university. Thanks for fighting for me having all the signatures and looking forward to future cooperation since I will still need some stuff from the dean's office.
And big kisses for LC Gdansk UG. Good luck guys with everything, especially with recruitment!
The last thing that I will mention is the fact that this autumn is the first one for me in 17 years when I don't start next school year :))
I would like to thank a few people who took care of my student book: Ania W (my group mate), Tomek, Weronisia and Madzia (AIESECers from my LC in Gdansk).
Without you I would be kicked out from my university. Thanks for fighting for me having all the signatures and looking forward to future cooperation since I will still need some stuff from the dean's office.
And big kisses for LC Gdansk UG. Good luck guys with everything, especially with recruitment!
The last thing that I will mention is the fact that this autumn is the first one for me in 17 years when I don't start next school year :))
different outside, the same inside
A few days ago, I was going by car through a residential district in Rabat and I saw one house still not finished. One could see red bricks used to build it. Although all villas in Morocco are totally different than houses in Poland I noticed that we use exactly the same bricks which means that they (villas) are different outside but the same inside.
It gave me some thoughts - can we apply it to people? to cultures? to nations? Are we all different outside but the same inside? Maybe sometimes? maybe always? maybe often? maybe rarely? maybe never?
And maybe I'm stupid trying to compare bricks, residences with people, cultures etc?
What do you think?
It gave me some thoughts - can we apply it to people? to cultures? to nations? Are we all different outside but the same inside? Maybe sometimes? maybe always? maybe often? maybe rarely? maybe never?
And maybe I'm stupid trying to compare bricks, residences with people, cultures etc?
What do you think?
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
com'n'go
Is something wrong with me? Let me explain you why I think so and I will be grateful for you giving me your opinions!
As I told people in the apartment where I live change very rapidly. They come and go and right now, I'm the oldest person in here (in terms of time that I've lived here). And recently there have been a lot of new people coming. Unfortunately, one really cool person has just left :( But hopefully, she will be back within a few days or weeks because she will probably have a job offer here. Let's pray for this!
I must admit that my current flat mates are really cool. Let me list them - Ashley (US), Mona (EG/UK), Dimitra (GR), Yahaira (MX), Hayat (NL/Morocco), Arnica (NL), Khalil (TN) and often guests Felicia (RO), Ksenija (YU) - btw, Khalil is the only guy and he will leave on Monday so there is going to be me and girls only :)
However, there is one issue. I kind of prefer to spend time alone instead of with them. It's not something about them. It's rather inside me. I guess that it's not easy for me to build a trust with them. There is no this connection that makes me feel comfortable and speak about everything. They are all nice but I have an impression that they cannot be my true friends. Although, I feel I should get along with them more there is something inside me that prevents me from doing that. I prefer to spend time in front of my laptop, working, learning French and chatting with friends.
Are these the first signs of me facing the challenge of people coming and going here? I was warned that it would not be easy to live here 13 months whereas people usually come for 2-4 months.
What am I supposed to do? Force myself to be more open which I don't feel I have such need or remain in front of my laptop what I feel like doing more but still it's very weird and not healthy I guess?
As I told people in the apartment where I live change very rapidly. They come and go and right now, I'm the oldest person in here (in terms of time that I've lived here). And recently there have been a lot of new people coming. Unfortunately, one really cool person has just left :( But hopefully, she will be back within a few days or weeks because she will probably have a job offer here. Let's pray for this!
I must admit that my current flat mates are really cool. Let me list them - Ashley (US), Mona (EG/UK), Dimitra (GR), Yahaira (MX), Hayat (NL/Morocco), Arnica (NL), Khalil (TN) and often guests Felicia (RO), Ksenija (YU) - btw, Khalil is the only guy and he will leave on Monday so there is going to be me and girls only :)
However, there is one issue. I kind of prefer to spend time alone instead of with them. It's not something about them. It's rather inside me. I guess that it's not easy for me to build a trust with them. There is no this connection that makes me feel comfortable and speak about everything. They are all nice but I have an impression that they cannot be my true friends. Although, I feel I should get along with them more there is something inside me that prevents me from doing that. I prefer to spend time in front of my laptop, working, learning French and chatting with friends.
Are these the first signs of me facing the challenge of people coming and going here? I was warned that it would not be easy to live here 13 months whereas people usually come for 2-4 months.
What am I supposed to do? Force myself to be more open which I don't feel I have such need or remain in front of my laptop what I feel like doing more but still it's very weird and not healthy I guess?
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