My experience as an organizing committee president of exchange project for AIESEC bandung, last June.
I put such an effort because this is my first team leader experience.
For almost 7 weeks, I dedicated myself on this project 24/7.
I spent all my holidays to guide 17 students from 10 different countries who volunteered for the social project that I had planned for them since 3 months earlier.
3 from poland, 4 from portugal, 2 from china, 2 from egypt, 2 from malaysia, 1 from vietnam, 1 from kyrgyztan, and 2 from austria.
So, me and 5 of my committees must create a project with Healthy Lifestyle issue.Our goal is to make positive impact to the society and develop the exchange participants.
We did roadshow to a few schools and orphanages in bandung and jatinangor. The interns taught the kids about healthy food, sport, sanitary, and many more.
We conducted cooking class with elementary children. Jogging, cycling and even hiking with the kids to the mountain.
We even visited the school for disable kids.
The interns also showcased their cultures by dancing, singing, giving presentation, and souvenirs.
I traveled to Pari Island and Kawah Putih to show them the beauty of our country.
I pretty much arrange everything for them to have the best life changing- experience.
Why i did this on the first place?
I had gone exchange with AIESEC. It's undoubtedly incredible. I want them to have the same experience as mine.
The whole project, I had missed the time with my best friends and even came to the point I got left out by them.
I was so occupied I didn't have time for my ex, I didn't even realize he was starting to "fall out of love"
I didn't mean to blame this project, he left just because he's an asshole.
I'm just haunted by "if only i knew i must sacrifice this much, maybe i wouldn't choose this"
Is this worth it?
Not to mention that this project had not always been pleasant to me.
Those exchange participants, sometimes all they did was complaining.
All they wish for was everything went perfectly.
While on the other side, I didn't get a proper education on how to run project like this.
I didn't know i will be dealing with monster. I did not have experience in this field.
My committees count on me to make decision. They're as confuse as I am.
I must take all the blame. I felt so small, like an idiot.
I know being a leader is not about being liked, but does it mean I have to be hated?
My ex was kind enough, he waited until the last day of the project to break up with me.
That day is the day i wanted to say to him "Thank you for being so patience, it's time for me to pay back".
Yet he had left, before i uttered the words.
Ironically all the time i cried to him about the project, maybe he didn't really care.
He just wanted to hang on there until the last day.
Trust me, It has been a one of the most destructive moment in my life
.
However, every cloud has a silver lining.....
I learn how to deal with different personalities and cultures. That everyone has different level of tolerance to your mistake.
I got the chance to meet inspirational people like the owner of vegetarian cafe in bandung and teachers who dedicated themselves in small school in the village in tanjung sari, sumedang ( we had to take a truck because it's up on the hill)
I get used to make fast decision when things did not go as I had planned. I learned to have plan B. which i didnt have that time.
I am trained to have strong argument and reason for every decision i made because i had to explained every detail to the interns. I learn how not to procrastinate things
I learn how to handle my stress. Working under pressure. Things can always get worse and this project must continue. Even the house they lived in was entered by a burglar.Many other organizing committee presidents had chosen to runaway, i did not.
I gain public speaking skill, become a good translator, gave speech, and leading a meeting. even bargaining price with the angkot driver. Tour guide is my side job.
I am overwhelmed with this international friendship.We could talk about anything from country, government, life, to even bad words. Some of them criticize me. Some appreciate me and even stand up for me.At the end, most of them applaud me for not giving up.
I acquire the skill of team- management and team-building. Me, Sera, Vivian, Ratu, Gina, and Shifa worked together and never blame each other. As a leader, I recognized their weakness and strength.
I learn to be patience. A lot of time for the littlest thing. As when my interns are angry because the water in the house is broken.
My mom and dad helped me pick up some of the interns at the airport late at night and waiting for hours. I remember how grateful i am to have such a supportive parents. And my bestfriends who still try to meet me at the slightest time that i had. they are my real one.
mostly, i learn to be brave. I learn to admit my flaws. Endeavor not to be beaten by my fear of failure. because stupid people will judge you by your first effort, but smart people will judge you by how you handle your second chance. Eventually, i take higher role as the vice director of incoming exchange unpad for term 2014/2015. My role is also to supervise 2 projects that will be ran by my staffs. so this will be my real journey. and i will not let myself down. i will learn from my mistake. i will continue to train my leadership and give the impact to the society. because seeing the face of the kids who are exciting with the foreigners are too priceless to be wasted.
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