The end of an era

Today is my last official day as VP, Outgoing Exchange for AIESEC York. From tomorrow onwards, the new exec team will be taking over and pushing AIESEC York to new heights.

I'm both excited and nostalgic as I end my exec term this year. It's been 2 years that I've been VP, Outgoing Exchange, but surprisingly, I haven't had as much trouble letting go as I thought I would have. Its because I really think the next exec team has a lot of potential and fresh new talent to push AIESEC York to the next level, and I'm nostalgic because AIESEC has a way of playing a huge role in your life - the 2 exec teams I've worked with have become like a second family to me and I'm going to miss all those little things that made us work so well together. :)

AIESEC is truly a life changing experience if ever there was one! I'm so glad I joined and got to meet the people I did. I find it hard to explain to my non-aiesec friends why I am so passionate about this organization and why I spend so much time with it. Its not something that is easily explained - its something that needs to be experienced.

How else to explain the team retreats up north in cottage country bonding and growing as a team together?

Or, 11 people huddled together under the covers, on a wooden floor, talking for 5 hours after stargazing in the bitter cold, or the shared excitement of setting a vision for AIESEC York, seated atop the CN Tower?

How else to explain the feeling of sheer accomplishment after having run a challenging session or doing something that was completely beyond our comfort zones and feeling great when that which we feared to do ended up being a success?

Or, sharing our achievements together and pushing and encouraging each other to be our very best and live up to our potential?

How else can I explain the feeling of satisfaction when a member thanks you for being their inspiration and when you see them grow and develop and learn?

Or going on an AIESEC CEED and sharing that experience with a total stranger that ends up becoming a good friend?

Or, having friends from all over the world, engaging them in stimulating conversations and learning about yourself and each other?

How else to explain the number of possiblities that exist within your reach or the adrenaline rush when we found out out that all the hard work paid off, in our recent acheivement as The Local Chapter of the Year, of 26 Local chapters in all of Canada?

lol, I think I can go on and on, but I'll stop right here for now :) AIESEC was a challenge, but a good one, and although I've finished my term as an exec, I still have a few more years of AIESEC in me ;) I will miss the exec experience, but I'm excited about the other opportunities in aiesec :) So let's see where my next opportunity takes me and the adventures it holds :)

As for my fellow execs this year: Veronica, Sheryl, Llorene, Felix and Ayami : this is just the beginning of something special ;)