1. First, a shoutout to @Cornell, LC that is so beloved :) *above left*
2. And even more so, a GIGANTIC and HUGE and not-even-close-to-adequate thank you to TPLC, the @ chapter of Taipei University, for an evening that was truly another @ moment for me. *above right*
So, just a few weeks ago, I thought it'd be nice to try to get in touch with some Taipei @ers, maybe sit in on a GPM, and see how things go for them here. Afterall, how else can you meet other random college students in a country you haven't been to in 7 years? Needless to say, I was so excited when I received an e-mail back from Cathy, incoming VP of Marketing, and also a student in the department of public policy and management (can you say coincidence?). She was super sweet from the very beginning, even inviting me to spend the weekend in her hometown. And she's pretty darn adorable...*see below, middle!* Cathy was awesome telling me all about how I could meet TPLC.
We arranged for us to meet at the metro station last night, and then I would join their LC for their final meeting of the year at a local restaurant *above left*. I really arrived not knowing what to expect, but Cathy noticed me right at our meeting spot, and we walked over to Taipei University together. It is so cute. 2,000 students or less, I believe, and the campus is right there in the middle of things, with towering dorms and buildings. Nothing like freakin' gigantic, sprawling Cornell in middle of nowhere Upstate, of course, and I loved seeing the students milling around, the students passing out ads, people playing basketball...you really start to realize we're all the same, in essence...
Cathy and I met up with a group of @ers, waiting for others to arrive, and everyone was unbelievably friendly, warm, welcoming, open, curious. I loved just having the chance to stand there and meet them and hear about who was who, and answer questions and ask questions...this is also when I fell in love with their t-shirts *left*...are they awesome or what? (thank you, thank you, thank you for mine!!) After most everyone arrived, we headed off to the restaurant. It was their last meeting, and only last weekend they had transition for the incoming LT. There was a lot of laughing, joking, poking fun, reflection...and that excitement, passion, energy and dynamic blew me away. Not only because of its intensity...but because it reminds me so much of our GPM's, our LC, the friendship, unity, trust, and respect that I've seen develop over the past year at Cornell, thousands of miles away from Taipei University, but exactly the same.1. Hey AIESEC? HEY WHAT?? vs. Hey AIESEC? WHAT'S UP??
2. An emotional goodbye from the outgoing LT *above left*
3. Another Asian, female incoming LCP (yay Brenda!) who likes to give hugs!! *above middle*
4. An incredibly good-looking incoming LT :) *above right*
5. A lot of music...and food...and making fun of each other. I think that's universal...
6. There is a definite lack of males in both LC's.
7. Organizing something seemingly simple, like orders for tea and coffee, can get pretty hectic. *below* I think @ers everywhere are pretty loud and get distracted easily...
We also have a LOT to learn from LC's like TPLC...for example, they have these really hot business cards that we've been talking about....LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE! Let's get some, ok? Ok. And this Incoming LT shot from their transition weekend is amazing...
I knew this is part of what AIESEC is all about--being able to go nearly anywhere on this globe and find a community of people who will eagerly welcome you into their culture and show you their world. But I was still so amazed by the people I met, how I felt so at ease and myself...that being there, even sitting in, made me feel as comfortable as I do with my own LC. Hearing their words, their reflections, their hopes for next year--I realized I've heard those exact words, dreams, and wishes from @Cornell, but simply in another language. We all work towards the same goal, and it really is incredible to go somewhere, and be able to spend an evening with people who share the exact some mission and vision that you have.
I heard it so many times last night from TPLC...
We are a family.
Watching their powerpoints (it wasn't Coldplay, guys, but really darn close...!), seeing them play around with each other, hearing about their plans, it is obvious that they ARE a family. One @er talked about how he hangs out with @ers, talks to @ers online, calls @ers, lives AIESEC...and you know that this group adores, respects, and loves each other. And then I remember our own LC, growing and thriving, and how this year we did indeed become a family.
And, most importantly, I could imagine these two groups coming together, mixing languages, habits, ideas, traditions, dreams...even for an evening. For @Cornell to be ushered into such a wonderful experience. And I am more than certain that every person there would feel like a part of something so much greater. And no doubt, that every Cornell @er would feel, the way I did, that the TPLC had indeed welcomed them into their family.
With love and peace,
angie
