Sui Generis.
I believe that everything happens for a reason, at the right time and at the right place and I was right after all.
I’ve first encountered AIESEC some time ago while browsing Facebook and my initial thought about it was that it’s an organization offering an exchange program. My heart skipped a beat, as I’ve always wanted to go on exchange and experience other cultures.
Fast forward to February 2015, I just turned 18 years old and I’ve realized that I need to do something with my life, to make a change, to have a positive impact to society. I didn’t know that I would find it during the Feb Fair. I saw the AIESEC UPLB booth in the Freedom Park with a tarpaulin of its name and only a few people coming in and out. I was an Old Freshman by then (well, technically until now) so my friends and I didn’t find the courage to ask more about the org through its members.
As another school year started, I noticed one classmate of mine changed her profile picture with an AIESEC logo. I jot down the details of the orientation and attend the AIESEC Orientation in Jollibee. I also convinced my blocmates and friends, Pam, Alexis and Precious to come with me to know AIESEC better. And after the orientation, I was just so inspired by the members’ stories that I grabbed my pen and wrote my name in the registration.
There is more to AIESEC than just exchange, it is a platform for leadership development of the youth from all over the world. Throughout the application process, I was able to step out from my comfort zone, learn how to take initiative and ask questions, be open-minded and voice out my opinions and suggestions (i.e., the Batch name of CHROME). I’ve met a lot of people (whether members or co- applicants) with diverse personalities of different backgrounds, affiliations and beliefs that enable me to grasp the beauty and diversity of life. I enjoyed the moments we spent together and I definitely learned a lot from every encounters.
I am just thankful to AIESEC for giving me the opportunity to know myself better, to know my strengths and weaknesses and to let me reach my full potential. In a short span of time, I was able to sort of go through every week with a tired body, an overthinking mind and a passion-filled heart while balancing my academics, personal life, and AIESEC all at once. What I’m trying to say here is that I was able to learn how to manage my time and despite having some problems along the way, I was able to continue my journey as an applicant. I always bear in mind the values that AIESEC continues to strive for: Striving for Excellence, Demonstrating Integrity, Activating Leadership, Acting Sustainably, Enjoying Participation and Living Diversity.
“I just hope that I will be, a wallflower no more. It saddens me to exist and be here, yet nobody knows me at all.”
Whether I will get accepted or not, I will still be grateful for the experience of sharing my story to other people. I know that I am still a wallflower in many aspects of my life. However, I am still hoping that in time, I will be able to grow into a better individual, not just for myself but also for other people.
AIESEC is not an ordinary organization as it is more of an advocacy. Thus, I believe that AIESEC is a Sui Generis; it has a life of its own. My story does not end here, for it has just begun. :)