:D

I just spent four amazing days with eleven incredible people that had applied to be on the national staff of AIESEC United Kingdom for the 08-09 term.




I am now back in Qatar, and the entire weekend is so surreal to me... A month ago, I would NEVER have guessed that I'd be in Glasgow, Scotland this past weekend for AIESEC UK's National Conference.

But I was. And it was three intense and incredibly fun days going through interviews, exams and simulations with people that inspired me. Meeting the UK's members made me want to be there more than anything next year. And then after a lot of nervousness and bonding, on the fourth day, this happened:



And I was on the verge of tears. I was thrilled because of the amazing team that had been selected, but sad for those with whom I have become close that did not make it. I was elated about our legacy, which we will begin to create on July 1, but disappointed that I had to leave these people for another five months. So, to remind ourselves to live in the moment and not worry about the future, we broke out the champagne:



And, still stunned and soaking wet, we talked to the membership that we would be supporting for the next year:



The craziest thing about the weekend was how I felt in response to the challenges that were presented before me. Imagine going to a conference where you know almost nobody, getting to know your competitors and supporting them like they were your oldest friends, going through at least nine complex evaluations in three days, having the membership take you in and give you their confidence, and finally being selected by a committee made up of AIESECers and externals to run one of the top exchange countries in one of the most developed regions in the world. For me, from the minute I arrived, I approached everything as if it were an opportunity. I went through the tests being myself to the nth degree and having a fabulous time. Yes, it was all challenging, but above that, it felt natural. I didn't feel scared. I didn't feel that nervous. I was smiling and happy and it felt like I belonged... the connections between me and everyone else and the situation felt seamless, like nothing could be more right at the given moment.

This conference and my experiences over the past four days have allowed me to really see how much I've grown at the deepest levels from when I first arrived in Qatar seven months ago. The UK's NatCo was surprisingly similar to @US's semi-yearly conferences, and until I was reminded of how I used to be and feel in a similar situation did I realize how far I've really come. During the fancy dinner and ceilidh (traditional irish dancing), I was looking around and really soaking in the moment, wondering how different I will feel in another seven months.

So, officially, I am the Member Committee Vice President for External Relations and Communications for AIESEC United Kingdom 2008-2009. And I can't wait to ROCK with the amazing team of which I am so fortunate to be a part: Will (MCP), Shaun (ICX), Nomalha (Projects), Georgie (OGX) and Harry (TM). I'm going to LOVE being the only international on the team... even when they make fun of my accent. Next up: St. Petersburg for EuroXPROS in March; London by July 1; Brazil in August for IC 2008 and AIESEC's 60th Anniversary! I can't wait!!