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<strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> alumni magazine<br />
A<br />
N lumni<br />
etwork February 2013<br />
friends<br />
1
Welcome<br />
from <strong>the</strong> Alumni Relations Manager<br />
Time has flown by since our last <strong>issue</strong> in November 2012<br />
and once again <strong>the</strong>re is a lot to tell you about what’s happening<br />
in <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> world. One of <strong>the</strong> benefits of being an<br />
international organisation with 84 member countries is that<br />
we’re never short of great stories to share with you.<br />
I am particularly pleased that in this <strong>issue</strong> we have interviews<br />
with some of our older alumni. The world has changed a great deal<br />
since <strong>IAESTE</strong> was founded, but its purpose and values remain <strong>the</strong> same and it’ s nice to see<br />
this reflected in <strong>the</strong> words of our alumni.<br />
In addition to <strong>the</strong> stories from our alumni, it’s also been a busy period for <strong>IAESTE</strong> in terms<br />
of events. The 66th Annual Conference and <strong>the</strong> 2nd Annual Alumni Conference both took<br />
place in Belfast, Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland in January and we have reports from both. You can also<br />
find just a few of <strong>the</strong> many great photos that were taken during <strong>the</strong> events, but <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
many more to be found on <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network.<br />
2013 is actually <strong>the</strong> 65th Anniversary of <strong>IAESTE</strong> and we will be celebrating throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong> year, so keep any eye on <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network and our social media platforms to see<br />
what’s happening and how you can join in.<br />
Until next time!<br />
Bruce Mehlmann-Wicks<br />
Alumni Relations Manager<br />
What’s inside<br />
Welcome and Contents............................................. 2<br />
Message from <strong>the</strong> General Secretary........................ 3<br />
2nd Annual Alumni Conference............................... 4<br />
Report from <strong>IAESTE</strong>s Annual Alumni<br />
Conference 2013....................................................... 7<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> News.......................................................... 8<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumnus Jimmy Jack .............................. 10<br />
Interview with Board Members............................... 11<br />
The 66th <strong>IAESTE</strong> Annual Conference.................... 12<br />
Juan Rivera – From Colombia to Belgrade............. 14<br />
Interview with <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
Vietnam Alumnus Dinh Duong............................... 16<br />
Interview with <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
Vietnam Alumnus Giap Van Truong........................ 18<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumnus Thomas Hughes<br />
on his life and traineeship in Sweden in 1960......... 19<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumnus Emmanuel Garuz<br />
on his traineeship in Switzerland............................. 20<br />
Ali Khan on his traineeship in Tokyo, Japan........... 21<br />
How can you help?.................................................. 22<br />
Contacts................................................................... 23<br />
2
Message<br />
from <strong>the</strong> General Secretary Goran Radnovic<br />
A lumni<br />
N etwork<br />
When Mr James Newby and friends<br />
from Imperial College, London were<br />
around a billiard table forming <strong>IAESTE</strong> after<br />
<strong>the</strong> Second World War in 1948, <strong>the</strong>y could<br />
never have imagined that it would still be<br />
going strong some 65 years later. And yet<br />
here we are in 2013, celebrating 65 years<br />
of exchanging students for technical experience,<br />
with <strong>the</strong> same values and purpose put<br />
forward by our founders all those years ago.<br />
Our association continues to survive,<br />
despite harsh economic conditions and<br />
difficult changes in <strong>the</strong> world, precisely<br />
because our founding principles are as relevant<br />
today as <strong>the</strong>y were in 1948.<br />
Our mission:<br />
‘To operate a high quality practical<br />
training exchange program between members<br />
in order to enhance technical and<br />
professional development and to promote<br />
international understanding and goodwill<br />
amongst students, academic institutions,<br />
employers and <strong>the</strong> wider community.’<br />
With over 343.000 students sent on<br />
traineeships since 1948, <strong>the</strong>re can be no<br />
doubt of <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>IAESTE</strong> has had on<br />
<strong>the</strong> world and specifically <strong>the</strong> lives of young<br />
scientists and engineers.<br />
As we look back, it is clear that behind<br />
every student that has been given a life<br />
changing opportunity, <strong>the</strong>re is a team of<br />
people working to provide that opportunity,<br />
and I would like to thank everyone that<br />
has ever worked to make this possible.<br />
The biggest strength of <strong>IAESTE</strong> is its<br />
people and <strong>the</strong> feeling of friendship that<br />
permeates throughout <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> world.<br />
Here’s to <strong>the</strong> next 65 years!<br />
Goran Radnović<br />
General Secretary<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> A.s.b.l.<br />
3
Alumni<br />
N etwork<br />
2nd Annual Alumni Conference<br />
In <strong>the</strong> year since <strong>the</strong> 1st Annual Alumni Conference <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network has grown<br />
and grown. The membership has more than doubled and activity increased across<br />
<strong>the</strong> board. With <strong>the</strong>se improvements and developments, expectations have also<br />
been increased, so it was clear that <strong>the</strong> 2nd Annual Alumni Conference would have<br />
to be even better than <strong>the</strong> last.<br />
Despite challenging economic times, 26<br />
alumni from 18 different countries arrived<br />
in Belfast for a weekend of fun and<br />
professional development. The group even<br />
included several alumni that were at <strong>the</strong> first alumni<br />
conference in Skopje, FYR Macedonia.<br />
Despite coming from countries as diverse as Brazil,<br />
Pakistan, Poland, China, Tunisia, Jordan, USA, Ireland,<br />
Germany, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands,<br />
Norway, Spain, Serbia, Turkey, UK and Switzerland,<br />
it was clear from <strong>the</strong> beginning that what everyone<br />
brought with <strong>the</strong>m was <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> spirit!<br />
Heavy snowfall meant that not all <strong>the</strong> participants<br />
could arrive in time for <strong>the</strong> welcome event that took<br />
place at <strong>the</strong> Europa Hotel alongside <strong>the</strong> participants from<br />
<strong>the</strong> 66th <strong>IAESTE</strong> Annual Conference. Those that were<br />
<strong>the</strong>re enjoyed drinks, some traditional<br />
fish and chips and a warm welcome<br />
from <strong>the</strong> conference organisers.<br />
By Saturday morning nearly all of<br />
<strong>the</strong> participants had arrived and <strong>the</strong><br />
conference got underway with <strong>the</strong> formal<br />
welcome and conference opening.<br />
After a series of inspiring speeches and<br />
a bit of lunch, it was time for <strong>the</strong> first<br />
Alumni Conference session.<br />
Feedback from last year’s conference<br />
suggested that participants would<br />
like to have <strong>the</strong> opportunity for some<br />
professional development. Thanks to<br />
4
former General Secretary, Pauline Ferguson, we were able<br />
to find <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumnus Enda Young who is a leader<br />
in his field of conflict resolution. Enda agreed to host a<br />
workshop for participants focussing on dealing with conflict<br />
in <strong>the</strong> work place and in life generally.<br />
From <strong>the</strong> feedback we received after <strong>the</strong> event, Enda’s<br />
workshop was a real highlight of <strong>the</strong> conference. Not only<br />
was it engaging and fun, <strong>the</strong> participants also felt like <strong>the</strong>y<br />
learned a lot that <strong>the</strong>y could take back into <strong>the</strong>ir lives and<br />
use.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> intensive morning session and a nice lunch<br />
with <strong>the</strong> AC participants, <strong>the</strong> afternoon was spent hearing<br />
from <strong>the</strong> Alumni Relations Manager about <strong>the</strong> current<br />
status of <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network and gave <strong>the</strong> participants <strong>the</strong><br />
opportunity to provide feedback and develop new ideas to<br />
take forward.<br />
It was a really excellent session and lots of great feedback<br />
and ideas were received. The enthusiasm shown by <strong>the</strong><br />
participants clearly showed how firmly <strong>the</strong>y hold <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir hearts. <strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumni are very keen to stay involved<br />
with <strong>the</strong> organisation and are a huge resource for <strong>the</strong><br />
organisation with <strong>the</strong> experience and knowledge <strong>the</strong>y bring.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> evening <strong>the</strong> participants attended <strong>the</strong> gala dinner<br />
which took place at <strong>the</strong> Titanic Signature Building. The<br />
dinner was a truly memorable experience, not just in terms<br />
of <strong>the</strong> excellent food, but also <strong>the</strong> atmosphere and setting.<br />
At <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> evening participants were treated to a concert<br />
from <strong>the</strong> Belfast Community choir which was incredible<br />
and a wonderful way to finish <strong>the</strong> first day’s programme.<br />
It was going to be hard to top day one but we had to try.<br />
The day began with a bus tour of Belfast, taking in all <strong>the</strong><br />
famous sites including <strong>the</strong> Peace Wall, Stormont, Queen’s<br />
University, Belfast and many more. We were lucky enough<br />
to have Pauline Ferguson as our tour guide and she was an<br />
excellent source of local information and very entertaining.<br />
Despite <strong>the</strong> snow and difficult driving conditions, everyone<br />
had a great time and learned a lot about <strong>the</strong> wonderful city<br />
of Belfast.<br />
After warming up and some lunch, it was time for <strong>the</strong><br />
afternoon sessions, The History of <strong>IAESTE</strong>, once again delivered<br />
by Pauline Ferguson, Fundraising activities, delivered<br />
by Elef<strong>the</strong>ria Karydi and <strong>the</strong>n an opportunity to hear from<br />
<strong>the</strong> participants <strong>the</strong>mselves. Listening to <strong>the</strong> participants tell<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir own stories was very inspiring and showed just how<br />
much <strong>IAESTE</strong> impacts on people’s lives. The willingness<br />
of those people to want to give back to <strong>the</strong> organisation<br />
by staying involved with <strong>IAESTE</strong> was amazing and really<br />
showed <strong>the</strong> benefit of hosting a conference for Alumni.<br />
The final event left for <strong>the</strong> weekend was <strong>the</strong> famous<br />
International Evening where over 300 delegates shared food<br />
and drink from <strong>the</strong>ir home countries. The Alumni Conference<br />
participants had <strong>the</strong>ir own table and brought toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
many different flavours from all over <strong>the</strong> world. A great<br />
time was had by all and it was a wonderful way to end <strong>the</strong><br />
conference for <strong>the</strong> alumni.<br />
We are already looking forward to <strong>the</strong> 3rd Annual<br />
Alumni Conference which will take place next January in<br />
Ecuador and we hope to see many of our alumni <strong>the</strong>re!<br />
s<br />
Photo taken by Anli Tang<br />
For lots more photos from <strong>the</strong><br />
2nd Annual Alumni Conference,<br />
log in to <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network!<br />
5
6 Contact: Global Support Team l e-mail: gst@iaeste.org
A lumni<br />
N etwork<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong>s Annual Alumni<br />
Conference 2013 - Fredrik Jakobsen’s report<br />
When I arrived in Belfast on Thursday, I was<br />
received at <strong>the</strong> airport by a group of somewhat<br />
flustered <strong>IAESTE</strong> members. It turned<br />
out that <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions had impaired<br />
<strong>the</strong> air traffic, and a lot of flights carrying participants<br />
to ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> Annual Conference (AC) or <strong>the</strong> Annual Alumni<br />
Conference (AAC) had been delayed or cancelled.<br />
Some of <strong>the</strong> participants were quite excited about <strong>the</strong><br />
snowy climate of Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland as <strong>the</strong>y had limited experience<br />
with such conditions from <strong>the</strong>ir native countries.<br />
With <strong>the</strong> organisers trying <strong>the</strong>ir best to adapt <strong>the</strong>ir schedules,<br />
I spent <strong>the</strong> evening on a nearby pub called Robinson,<br />
joined by two AAC participants from Poland. We enjoyed<br />
<strong>the</strong> attention from local customers, who had taken notice<br />
of our participant cards and were curious of <strong>the</strong> nature of<br />
<strong>the</strong> convention we were participating, and of <strong>IAESTE</strong> in<br />
general.<br />
On Friday I missed out on a sight-seeing excursion to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Giant’s Causeway, which was a pity, but at least I got <strong>the</strong><br />
time to recuperate from an entire day of travelling. In <strong>the</strong><br />
evening <strong>the</strong>re was a welcoming buffet with participants from<br />
both of <strong>the</strong> conferences. The official opening ceremony was<br />
held on Saturday morning. There were speeches held by <strong>the</strong><br />
Board, as well as members of <strong>the</strong> British Council, on behalf<br />
of <strong>the</strong> hosting committee. The ceremony was accompanied<br />
by traditional Irish musical numbers.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> ceremony, <strong>the</strong> national committee representatives<br />
began <strong>the</strong> exchange session, while <strong>the</strong> AAC group<br />
had its first session of presentations and workshops. One<br />
of <strong>the</strong> presentations was given by Enda Young, who taught<br />
us <strong>the</strong> basic principles of interpersonal conflicts, and how<br />
<strong>the</strong>y could affect us and our environments. One of <strong>the</strong><br />
workshops concerned possible improvements of <strong>the</strong> Alumni<br />
web pages. After <strong>the</strong> conference activities, we went to <strong>the</strong><br />
Titanic Signature Building for a dinner toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong><br />
AAC participants. Representatives of <strong>the</strong> British Council<br />
held a couple of speeches, and a local choir entertained us<br />
with some singing. Most of <strong>the</strong> younger audience joined in<br />
with dancing throughout <strong>the</strong> performance.<br />
On Sunday we went on a sight-seeing tour narrated by<br />
Pauline Ferguson. We saw <strong>the</strong> Parliamentary Building, <strong>the</strong><br />
industrial district, <strong>the</strong> peace wall, <strong>the</strong> University, and <strong>the</strong><br />
town’s smallest house. Afterwards, Pauline held a presentation<br />
about <strong>the</strong> history of <strong>IAESTE</strong>, and we saw a movie that<br />
was basically a forty-minute long slideshow documenting<br />
Annual Conferences throughout <strong>the</strong> years.<br />
After that, we were joined by Jimmy Jack, an earlier<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> trainee originating from Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland. Elef<strong>the</strong>ria<br />
Karydi gave a short presentation on <strong>IAESTE</strong>’s international<br />
fundraising activities, and we had a round of “My<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> experience” presentations.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> evening we joined <strong>the</strong> international evening event,<br />
and represented <strong>the</strong> alumni group with our own table. There<br />
was much rejoicing. On Monday I stopped by Europa Hotel<br />
to get a small glimpse of <strong>the</strong> Conference, before I left<br />
around eleven.<br />
Fredrik<br />
Jakobsen<br />
– centre of<br />
picture<br />
Photo taken by Anli Tang<br />
My little <strong>IAESTE</strong> story – Sabine Niebel<br />
I<br />
just graduated last summer and found<br />
my first job in Switzerland. Happy<br />
about <strong>the</strong> new situation and to be able<br />
to take long holidays over Christmas<br />
and New Year’s; I felt that I cannot ask my<br />
boss for more holidays to attend <strong>the</strong> Alumni<br />
Conference in January. Just two weeks after<br />
<strong>the</strong> last holidays – I thought it would be impossible.<br />
Fortunately my Spanish friend Almu<br />
wrote to me at <strong>the</strong> last minute before Christmas,<br />
convincing me to come. So I went to<br />
my boss, asked if I could take two more days<br />
off to go to <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> event and what did<br />
I learn? My boss looked at me with a bright<br />
smile, telling me that years ago he was an<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> trainee in Norway. So I got <strong>the</strong> days<br />
off and luckily went to this great and well organised<br />
second Alumni Conference. Life is<br />
full of good surprises! Thanks <strong>IAESTE</strong>!<br />
Photo taken by Anli Tang<br />
7
<strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
NEWS<br />
Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands request<br />
Dear <strong>IAESTE</strong> friends<br />
I am writing you this message on behalf of <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands IU a newly formed <strong>IAESTE</strong> co-operating<br />
institution. As you may know, <strong>IAESTE</strong> in The Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands<br />
was re-established in 2011, after having previously<br />
existed between 1948 and 2006.<br />
We consider an alumni network essential for <strong>the</strong><br />
development of <strong>IAESTE</strong> in The Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands; however,<br />
since it was previously run by a different organisation<br />
(Nuffic), we have no access to <strong>the</strong> contact details of our<br />
alumni as Nuffic is unable to share <strong>the</strong> information<br />
with us.<br />
Because of this situation we would like to ask you a<br />
favor, if you knew any Dutch trainees through <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
prior to 2007, would you be so kind as to ask <strong>the</strong>m to<br />
contact us. This would enable us to inform <strong>the</strong>m about<br />
<strong>the</strong> newly formed co-operating institution, and invite<br />
<strong>the</strong>m to future alumni events.<br />
Some <strong>IAESTE</strong> countries have been able to put us in<br />
contact with alumni and we are currently trying to find<br />
<strong>the</strong>m on LinkedIn etc. However, this is only a small part<br />
of all <strong>the</strong> alumni we have had since <strong>the</strong> start of <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
in 1948, so we could definitely use your help!<br />
With kind regards,<br />
On behalf of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands IU<br />
Maarten Kruger<br />
president@iaestenederland.nl<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Liberia-BONSU press conference<br />
Bong Students Union (BONSU) office,<br />
Gbarnga city, Bong County<br />
February 9, 2013<br />
It is such a great honour that Liberians (i.e. students and<br />
young professionals) happily accepted <strong>IAESTE</strong> once<br />
again as <strong>the</strong>y expressed <strong>the</strong>ir commitment to work and<br />
participate in knowledge sharing and experience gaining<br />
with o<strong>the</strong>r friends around <strong>the</strong> world. Those attending <strong>the</strong> conference<br />
believed that this restoration of dignity.<br />
They believed <strong>the</strong> story of <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> is a success story that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y should be proud of. Particularly looking at <strong>the</strong>mselves join<br />
with over 89 countries to participate in an exchange program<br />
that is over 64 years in operation. They expressed that <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
have played a great role in providing students with technical expertise<br />
in <strong>the</strong>ir fields of study and Liberia is now going to benefit<br />
from such great experiences. <strong>IAESTE</strong> LIBERIA-BONSU<br />
Liberia is now one of <strong>the</strong> newest co-operating members of <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> network, which now has over 200 members throughout<br />
<strong>the</strong> country. The establishment of <strong>IAESTE</strong> with <strong>the</strong> Bong<br />
Student Union could have been possible with <strong>the</strong> efforts of Mr.<br />
Augustus J. Flomo who is now being considered as <strong>the</strong> MEN-<br />
TOR for <strong>the</strong> Liberia Program. This will provide unlimited opportunities<br />
for Liberians students to be involved in valuable<br />
international exchange focused on technical development.<br />
The hope of Liberian students have grown that <strong>the</strong>re<br />
is now an opportunity to travel abroad, meet new people<br />
and get formal training experience. <strong>IAESTE</strong> Liberia seek<br />
to reach out to business houses, schools, Universities, companies,<br />
etc. and to form a lasting partnership to assist in<br />
qualifying students all over <strong>the</strong> country to become successful<br />
professionals who could contribute to sustainable development<br />
of <strong>the</strong>ir local societies and <strong>the</strong> global communities<br />
as well. We at BONSU and Liberia are really keen on working<br />
hand in hand with <strong>IAESTE</strong> and benefiting from <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
expertise in this area.<br />
Although <strong>the</strong>re are thousand and plentiful hindrances that<br />
show <strong>the</strong>ir ugly heads whenever we think about <strong>the</strong> challenges<br />
that lie ahead, we will never stop planning for a healthier future.<br />
Progress is our hope, <strong>the</strong> route that will take us <strong>the</strong>re is that<br />
of reason, freedom, knowledge, and justice. The wretch of <strong>the</strong><br />
world will be our companion’s journey.<br />
Thanks.<br />
Jepthah P. Cooper<br />
Person in Charge <strong>IAESTE</strong>-Liberia<br />
8<br />
Contact Numbers:<br />
+231886568831<br />
+231886527159<br />
Email:<br />
liberiabonsu@iaeste.org<br />
augustusjflomo@yahoo.com<br />
Mailing address:<br />
Refund Building, Collins Street<br />
P.O. Box 1707
‘Përshëndetje’ means ‘Hello’<br />
in Albanian language!<br />
“A single dream is more powerful than a thousand<br />
realities.”- said J.R.R. Tolkien.<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Albania is founded by a group of four ‘dreamers’<br />
that aimed to bring in Albania a students' organisation<br />
that will help students to reach <strong>the</strong>ir goals for a better education<br />
and for an excellent career. We aimed to establish an<br />
organisation of <strong>the</strong> students, by <strong>the</strong> students and for <strong>the</strong><br />
students. Today our group is becoming bigger and bigger<br />
and a lot of students are wishing for having <strong>the</strong>ir first exchange<br />
experiences. Albania is a country with a small but a<br />
young population, located in <strong>the</strong> continent of Europe. The<br />
capital city is Tirana, where <strong>IAESTE</strong> Albania is located<br />
and is mostly operating. Countries near Albania such as<br />
Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, and Bosnia and Herzegovina<br />
are part of <strong>IAESTE</strong> since decades; <strong>IAESTE</strong> Albania is also<br />
aiming to go forward.<br />
Our first contact with <strong>IAESTE</strong> was from Suleiman,<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Jordan, who introduced us with <strong>the</strong> organisation<br />
and since that moment we have been convinced that <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> was <strong>the</strong> accurate organization to be brought in<br />
Albania. During <strong>the</strong> period of our first introduction with<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong>, we have been studying in Austria. <strong>IAESTE</strong> LC<br />
Graz and <strong>IAESTE</strong> Austria invited us to <strong>the</strong>ir national<br />
meeting in Flößerdorf and <strong>the</strong>re we had <strong>the</strong> possibility to<br />
meet members from <strong>IAESTE</strong> Norway, <strong>IAESTE</strong> Slovenia,<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Italy, <strong>IAESTE</strong> Turkey… and we realised that <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were all wonderful people, very friendly and very motivated…we<br />
definitely liked <strong>IAESTE</strong> a lot.<br />
Then in a later stage things needed to be formalised and<br />
we worked hard to become a Co-operating institution with<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong>. Today we are very happy that we are part of <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong>. We are aware of <strong>the</strong> long course that we have in<br />
front of us, but we are motivated and lucky to have <strong>the</strong><br />
support for our friends. We are immensely thankful to: Mr.<br />
Radnovic, GS, to all Board Members, to Olga, GST, to<br />
Teresa, <strong>IAESTE</strong> Austria, to Suleiman, <strong>IAESTE</strong> Jordan, to<br />
Milo, <strong>IAESTE</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands…<br />
Thank you for helping us to reach our dream!<br />
Sincerely:<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Albania team:<br />
Edlira Osmani, Eni Huta, Endlers Kërtusha<br />
You can contact us:<br />
albaniaiceste@iaeste.org<br />
Or follow us on FB:<br />
http://www.facebook.com/<br />
IaesteAlbaniamember<br />
9
Alumni<br />
N etwork<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumnus Jimmy Jack<br />
on his traineeship in Poland in 1961<br />
My name is Jimmy Jack and I am from Coleraine,<br />
Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland. I was born and brought up in<br />
Belfast but I have been living in Coleraine near<br />
<strong>the</strong> Giant’s Causeway since 1965. I am married<br />
to Anne and have three daughters.<br />
From 1962 until my retirement in 2004 I was employed<br />
as a civil engineer on roads, drainage, bored piling, water and<br />
sewerage design and construction working for contractors, consultants,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> civil service. My retirement activities are gardening,<br />
music, church, cycling, politics and travel (mostly to<br />
visit my daughters in England, Scotland and beyond).<br />
I first learned about <strong>IAESTE</strong> because my bro<strong>the</strong>r worked<br />
in a chemical factory in Queen’s in Switzerland in 1955 organised<br />
by <strong>IAESTE</strong>. Then at Queens University in 1959 a civil<br />
engineering student gave a talk on his <strong>IAESTE</strong> experiences in<br />
Norway and <strong>the</strong> same year I stayed in Brig with my bro<strong>the</strong>r<br />
near to where he had worked and in <strong>the</strong> Simplon Hotel where<br />
he had been lodged.<br />
Having been impressed by what I had learnt about <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
I decided to apply for a place in Germany or Turkey that were<br />
offered. I was <strong>the</strong>n offered Krakow in Poland and was immediately<br />
intrigued and curious and set about reading about<br />
and getting information on <strong>the</strong> situation in that ‘Iron Curtain’<br />
country. A student’s representative, who had been to Prague,<br />
assured me that I would not regret <strong>the</strong> experience in spite of <strong>the</strong><br />
presence of ‘secret police’. There was no induction at that time<br />
but we were given <strong>the</strong> names of o<strong>the</strong>r participants and were<br />
able to compare notes by writing letters to each o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
I started my traineeship on <strong>the</strong> 22nd July 1961. I went to<br />
Krakow via Berlin by train to work for<br />
‘Hut im Lenina’ a state owned, Stalin<br />
inspired, large industrial complex involving<br />
blast furnaces, steel manufacture, rolling mills, cement<br />
works, and chemical factories . The experience revealed <strong>the</strong><br />
sense of Russian exploitation felt by <strong>the</strong> local workers. It was<br />
linguistically difficult to learn much engineering although I<br />
was able to compare notes with English speaking students from<br />
England, Germany, Austria, France and Yugoslavia (as it was<br />
<strong>the</strong>n). I gained an interest in languages, politics and history of<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r countries and it helped me to relate engineering to society<br />
in general.<br />
My visit to Auschwitz left a deep impression at that time.<br />
It was easy to see why <strong>the</strong> Polish engineers were so politically<br />
aware and humbling to see how <strong>the</strong>ir lives had been affected<br />
by <strong>the</strong> traumas of war compared to my relatively sheltered upbringing<br />
in a <strong>the</strong>n ‘peaceful’ Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland. This made me<br />
aware of <strong>the</strong> realities of life in <strong>the</strong> wider world and in a sense<br />
prepared me for a career dominated by <strong>the</strong> 1968-2000 troubles<br />
and prompted me to treat politics as a vital engineering consideration.<br />
I think <strong>IAESTE</strong> is very important for international understanding<br />
and cooperation. This is underlined by <strong>the</strong> causes and<br />
effects of climate change, food, water and energy provision by<br />
states and multi-national companies and how an organisation<br />
can inspire international technical cooperation. I wonder what<br />
it would be like, or if it would be possible, to work in Israel<br />
or Palestine? <strong>IAESTE</strong> can make a big impact providing that it<br />
is well publicised in <strong>the</strong> media and technical and professional<br />
institutions (such as ICE).<br />
Thank you for <strong>the</strong> opportunity to participate in <strong>the</strong> Belfast<br />
2013 conference even though I could only manage half a day.<br />
Jimmy Jack with<br />
participants of <strong>the</strong><br />
2nd Annual Alumni<br />
Conference<br />
1010
Interview with Board Members<br />
A lumni<br />
N etwork<br />
NINA<br />
My name is Niina Juuti and I am from Finland.<br />
After graduating in 2004 I did a traineeship<br />
in Finland and ano<strong>the</strong>r one in Belgium.<br />
Between and after <strong>the</strong> traineeships I had various<br />
short jobs, some also at <strong>the</strong> office where <strong>IAESTE</strong> Finland is<br />
administrated.<br />
I have been working with <strong>IAESTE</strong> since spring 2007. I<br />
started as responsible for outgoing students and <strong>the</strong> following<br />
year I also got <strong>the</strong> responsibility of National Secretary. On an<br />
international level I was <strong>the</strong> workgroup coordinator for SID<br />
WG iPLUG from 2009-2012.<br />
In Finland <strong>IAESTE</strong> is run at CIMO which is also <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Agency for various European Commission programs.<br />
We are two people working for <strong>IAESTE</strong>, but we both also<br />
have o<strong>the</strong>r tasks. In Finland we have only one Local Committee,<br />
in Tampere, but in each technical university we have<br />
a contact person who is spreading <strong>the</strong> word about <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
traineeships.<br />
I think alumni are a very important resource for <strong>IAESTE</strong>.<br />
They can both encourage <strong>the</strong> students to do a traineeship with<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> and convince <strong>the</strong>ir employers to hire an <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
trainee. For both groups <strong>the</strong>y have <strong>the</strong>ir own story to tell. I<br />
have visited 14 countries with <strong>IAESTE</strong> so far. And <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
more to come! During my time with <strong>IAESTE</strong> I have sent about<br />
400 students abroad.<br />
There are too many funny stories, but as I don’t want to embarrass<br />
anyone<br />
personally,<br />
I could<br />
summarise our adventurous<br />
SID in Rendsburg 2010. We arrived<br />
in Hamburg with my Finnish colleague<br />
right on time – <strong>the</strong> famous<br />
Icelandic ash cloud covered <strong>the</strong> European<br />
airspace pretty soon after<br />
we had safely landed in Germany.<br />
About half of <strong>the</strong> participants never<br />
arrived, and <strong>the</strong> ones who got <strong>the</strong>re<br />
spent a great deal of <strong>the</strong>ir time figuring<br />
out how to get home.<br />
As a work group coordinator I was actually quite surprised<br />
we got so much work done between all travel arrangements! For<br />
<strong>the</strong> Finnish team <strong>the</strong> best option to get home was by sea, but<br />
<strong>the</strong> ferries were fully booked for several days after <strong>the</strong> SID finished.<br />
However, as we were in <strong>the</strong> good hands of <strong>the</strong> great organising<br />
team of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Germany, we could join <strong>the</strong> Post Seminar<br />
Tour and enjoy some relaxing days in Berlin and Hamburg<br />
before heading to Travemünde where our ferry left. 29 hours<br />
later we were safely back at home – 5 days later than planned<br />
but one experience richer.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> next three years I would like to see <strong>IAESTE</strong> as a more<br />
effective organisation that is better known worldwide.<br />
My name is Darko Todorovski and I come from<br />
Skopje, Macedonia. I am still a student at <strong>the</strong><br />
university of st.’Ciril and Methodius’ in Skopje,<br />
Macedonia and now I am working as an intern<br />
in San Francisco, California.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> family I am working for 6 and half years.<br />
During this time I have been involved in member raising, fundraising,<br />
job raising and especially marketing, also I have been<br />
a president of LC Skopje, main coordinator of <strong>the</strong> AC 2012<br />
and one of <strong>the</strong> founders of <strong>the</strong> first Annual Alumni Conference<br />
(AAC).<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Macedonia is great national organisation. We are<br />
involved in everything that we can lay our hands on. We have<br />
DARKO<br />
excellent relationship with o<strong>the</strong>r organisations<br />
and we have quite a lot of<br />
alumni who are acting as our guardian angels.<br />
Our job raising is increasing year by year, membership is<br />
growing and we have an excellent summer reception.<br />
Alumni are really important to <strong>IAESTE</strong> because <strong>the</strong>y are<br />
<strong>the</strong> root of <strong>the</strong> tree. They were working in <strong>the</strong>ir time and <strong>the</strong>y<br />
are helping in ours. That is <strong>the</strong> all point in <strong>the</strong> alumni, to be<br />
<strong>the</strong>re for <strong>the</strong> new generations <strong>the</strong> same way when someone was<br />
<strong>the</strong>re in <strong>the</strong>ir time.<br />
I have lost count of <strong>the</strong> number of countries I have visited<br />
with <strong>IAESTE</strong> but I think it is around 60. If you have asked me<br />
how many continents I have visited I will say that only one is<br />
left in my list, Australia. I have never had <strong>the</strong> opportunity to<br />
go <strong>the</strong>re, and <strong>the</strong> funny part is that I have so many friends and<br />
relatives <strong>the</strong>re!<br />
I am not sure if I have <strong>the</strong> right answer but roughly speaking,<br />
around 350 students have been received and around 200<br />
sent during my time with <strong>IAESTE</strong>. There are so many funny<br />
stories from my time with <strong>IAESTE</strong> that I wouldn’t know from<br />
where to start to tell <strong>the</strong>m all!<br />
One of my main vision and goal as a Board member for<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> is to have at least a third more jobs before <strong>the</strong> next Annual<br />
Conference, <strong>the</strong> second one is to promote <strong>the</strong> organisation<br />
on a national and international level. I have a few marketing<br />
tricks that I want to share!<br />
11
The 66th <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
The 66th <strong>IAESTE</strong> Annual Conference took place<br />
in Belfast, Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland from 18-25 January<br />
2013. The conference saw over 250 delegates<br />
from around 80 countries come toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
for a week of exchanging traineeships and General Conference<br />
sessions. During <strong>the</strong> week over 4000 traineeships were<br />
exchanged, providing exciting, rewarding opportunities for<br />
many students around <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
As well as <strong>the</strong> exchange sessions, members also attended<br />
General Conference sessions where important matters<br />
regarding <strong>the</strong> association were discussed and voted upon.<br />
We are pleased to share that <strong>IAESTE</strong> Belarus, United Arab<br />
Emirates and Panama were given full-member status and<br />
12
Annual Conference<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Peru and <strong>IAESTE</strong> Tanzania were<br />
given Associate Member status at <strong>the</strong> conference.<br />
We are also pleased to welcome<br />
new Cooperating Institutions from Liberia,<br />
Bolivia and Albania.<br />
One of <strong>the</strong> highlights of <strong>the</strong> week was<br />
<strong>the</strong> gala dinner which took place at <strong>the</strong> Titanic<br />
Signature Building. Conference participants,<br />
supporters of <strong>IAESTE</strong>, including<br />
local employers enjoyed an evening<br />
of great food, great company and a wonderful<br />
concert given by <strong>the</strong> Belfast Community<br />
Gospel Choir. By <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong><br />
evening, everyone was on <strong>the</strong>ir feet, doing<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> dance, and looking forward<br />
to meeting again in Ecuador in 2014.<br />
Photos taken by Thomas Faltner – for<br />
many more photos from <strong>the</strong> 66th Annual<br />
Conference visit <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network!<br />
In 2013 <strong>IAESTE</strong> is celebrating its<br />
65th Anniversary!<br />
Lookout on <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network<br />
for events and celebrations throughout <strong>the</strong> year,<br />
including a big birthday party on <strong>IAESTE</strong> Day!
Alumni<br />
N etwork Juan Rivera –<br />
From Colombia to Belgrade<br />
In summer 2009 I<br />
started a great adventure<br />
in <strong>the</strong> fantastic<br />
city of Belgrade.<br />
Without knowing how<br />
would that be, I packed<br />
my bags and arrived in<br />
Belgrade <strong>the</strong> 9th of June<br />
2009. Unknowingly, I was<br />
<strong>the</strong> second person that arrived<br />
among 80 students<br />
from all around <strong>the</strong> world<br />
and destiny had planned<br />
me to be <strong>the</strong> last one to<br />
leave. After three unbelievable<br />
months of summer,<br />
some of <strong>the</strong>m started<br />
to return to <strong>the</strong>ir countries<br />
and <strong>the</strong>refore a ritual<br />
began and we all started<br />
to write a goodbye card to<br />
each one of us.<br />
February 2010, most of us have already left and I<br />
signed each one of <strong>the</strong> goodbye cards to each one of <strong>the</strong><br />
fantastic people I met <strong>the</strong>re but always with <strong>the</strong> sadness<br />
that for me <strong>the</strong>re won’t be a goodbye card because I<br />
knew I was going to be <strong>the</strong> last one to leave.<br />
And so, secretly, a big goodbye card was created; and<br />
<strong>the</strong>re was a route planned; it started in <strong>the</strong> Middle East<br />
countries and <strong>the</strong> card was planned to move almost all<br />
around <strong>the</strong> world, Europe, Asia, North America, Mexico<br />
and finally South America to have as final destination<br />
Ibague, Colombia. The card, started from Jordan on <strong>the</strong><br />
10th of December 2009 moving forward to Syria, Spain,<br />
Italy, Greece, Romania, Poland, Switzerland, Germany,<br />
Ireland and <strong>the</strong>n it travelled overseas to Canada; in October<br />
2010 it arrived to <strong>the</strong> United States and Mexico<br />
after that.<br />
Then in Mexico <strong>the</strong> card was lost, I suppose it went<br />
partying somewhere in Tijuana as I would normally do.<br />
After months of being lost I was told about <strong>the</strong> card<br />
and <strong>the</strong> idea that <strong>the</strong>re were some photos taken just in<br />
case <strong>the</strong> card got lost in traffic. I felt special having such<br />
nice friends all around <strong>the</strong> world and thankful for such<br />
a nice idea.<br />
Some day in September 2012 <strong>the</strong> Card stop partying<br />
in Tijuana and decided to continue <strong>the</strong> route and<br />
arrived in Brazil, Argentina and Brazil once more. Since<br />
my plans changed quite a bit after such an amazing<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> experience, <strong>the</strong> card didn’t move to Colombia<br />
but finally and thankfully arrived in Hamburg early in<br />
2013.<br />
Postages from all around <strong>the</strong> world were cut and<br />
pasted again in <strong>the</strong> card, melancholy, laughs and hangovers<br />
were coming out of it without even having read<br />
what all of <strong>the</strong> people had written on it. It is such an<br />
honour to have met you all and to be able to say I have<br />
some many wonderful friends all around <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong>, Serbia, and all of <strong>the</strong>se fantastic people are<br />
<strong>the</strong> proof that life is even more precious if you’re surrounded<br />
by nice, unconditional friends. Those memories<br />
can never be taken away from me and that is <strong>the</strong><br />
most valuable treasure that I’ll take to <strong>the</strong> grave. Thank<br />
you all for that. Abrazos!<br />
The world loves us and supports us!!!!<br />
Juan<br />
14 14
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15
Alumni<br />
N etwork<br />
Interview with <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
Vietnam Alumnus Dinh Duong<br />
on his traineeship in <strong>the</strong> UK<br />
16<br />
Is your job now similar to <strong>the</strong><br />
work you did when you were<br />
a trainee through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program?<br />
I am developer for FPT software.<br />
And it is my major from <strong>the</strong> university<br />
and from <strong>IAESTE</strong> internship<br />
trained me.<br />
What did “<strong>IAESTE</strong>” mean in your<br />
mind when you were a student<br />
at Thai Nguyen University? Did<br />
you have any <strong>IAESTE</strong> dreams at<br />
that time?<br />
Of course, it meant much to me!<br />
At <strong>the</strong> second year at university, I<br />
met some foreign students. I talked<br />
to <strong>the</strong>m so much. They gave<br />
me information about <strong>IAESTE</strong>. After<br />
that, I tried my best to improve<br />
my English and techniques to be<br />
satisfied with <strong>IAESTE</strong> and at <strong>the</strong><br />
third year I had chance to go to<br />
UK through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program. I just<br />
wanted to go abroad. That was my<br />
dream.<br />
Why did you choose <strong>IAESTE</strong> to<br />
apply for your internship?<br />
It is not too difficult for students like<br />
me to apply. It is not trained in English, but trained in techniques, especially<br />
information technology major. So that, I thought that <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
would be suitable for me to apply. My teacher as well as some friends<br />
also told me that it would be very good for me to go abroad through<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong>.<br />
Who helped you to gain <strong>the</strong> internship through <strong>IAESTE</strong>? And how<br />
about <strong>the</strong> role of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam? Were <strong>the</strong>re any difficulties in<br />
<strong>the</strong> procedure or o<strong>the</strong>r aspects?<br />
That time, Dr. Phu, Miss. Hien and some staffs in my college helped<br />
me to complete some documents to send from Vietnam to UK. <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
Vietnam played a big role in my internship. They helped me to prepare<br />
my documents for visa and send my offer to <strong>IAESTE</strong> UK also.<br />
And <strong>the</strong> most difficult thing is <strong>the</strong> procedure. It was hard for me to<br />
wait for my result.<br />
When and where you began your internship through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program?<br />
How long did it take?<br />
I began my internship at Cardiff University, Wales, UK from 08/2009 to<br />
11/2009. It lasted three months.<br />
Where and with whom you stayed in your internship?<br />
At <strong>the</strong> first month, I stayed at dormitory with my friend coming from<br />
Korea. The third month I stayed with an Australian friend. And <strong>the</strong>re<br />
were also many international friends coming from Germany, Hungary,<br />
<strong>the</strong> US and o<strong>the</strong>r countries <strong>the</strong>re.<br />
How was your internship? Did you get much knowledge or experience<br />
related to your major at college?<br />
Awesome! I got so much knowledge about my major. I had also experience<br />
in doing some very good techniques<br />
in my major. And <strong>the</strong> supervisor as<br />
well as 2 Vietnamese lecturers, <strong>the</strong>y were<br />
very good to me and <strong>the</strong>y were always<br />
willing to help me so much in my techniques.<br />
How about exchange culture?<br />
I did not care so much. I just stayed with<br />
some foreigners, not many British people,<br />
so I did not know much about English customs.<br />
About festivals I took part in, <strong>the</strong>y<br />
were so great and modern because of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
having a lot of games. I had chance to go<br />
to Oxford University and castles. I could<br />
understand clearly about <strong>the</strong> history of<br />
castles and maybe <strong>the</strong> history of <strong>the</strong> UK.<br />
The foods were good. Actually, I went to<br />
<strong>the</strong> supermarket and bought some things<br />
to cook for myself. Sometimes, I invited<br />
some friends to my room. They told me<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y really loved all foods I cooked.<br />
What is <strong>the</strong> most memorable memory<br />
in your internship?<br />
The last dinner! Many international<br />
friends came to my room to cook. Everybody<br />
had to cook <strong>the</strong>ir country’s traditional<br />
food by <strong>the</strong>mselves; <strong>the</strong>refore, on<br />
<strong>the</strong> table <strong>the</strong>re were so many traditional<br />
foods from many places around <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
When your internship was about to end, how did you feel?<br />
Honestly, I felt missing home. I had also ano<strong>the</strong>r different feeling that<br />
I do not know how to say. That was big contradiction, a half of me<br />
wanted to come back Vietnam. In contrast, a half wanted to stay in<br />
UK.<br />
You want to return <strong>the</strong> time of your internship, don’t you?<br />
Of course, yes. That time I had many very good friends and unforgettable<br />
memories. If I had chance, I would comeback England again.<br />
Do you keep in touch with your friends and colleagues in your<br />
internship?<br />
Of course, yes. I contact with <strong>the</strong>m by Facebook, I had so many<br />
friends <strong>the</strong>re. On some vacations of my friends’ country like Christmas<br />
or some special days, I send messages to <strong>the</strong>m. Sometimes, I login<br />
Facebook to send some messages to <strong>the</strong>m and post something on<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir wall.<br />
Did you attend any activities of <strong>IAESTE</strong> generally and <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
Vietnam particularly?<br />
Yes, I did. ICC is <strong>the</strong> official office of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam. ICC has one English<br />
club to help all Vietnamese students practice English to gain <strong>the</strong><br />
internship through <strong>IAESTE</strong> and I was one of <strong>the</strong> first founders of ICC<br />
English club. I have been also a volunteer of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam. I attended<br />
many programs of <strong>IAESTE</strong>. For instance, I went with Dr. Phu<br />
to some meetings at some universities in Vietnam to talk about my<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> experience. I did also encourage students from those schools<br />
to apply for <strong>IAESTE</strong> internship. When <strong>the</strong>re were interviews for those
Do you want to gain any internship through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program for<br />
Master?<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> helps me improve my techniques, not <strong>the</strong> whole process to<br />
get a Master degree; <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>the</strong> scholarship would be better.<br />
Generally, how important and meaningful <strong>IAESTE</strong> is to your career<br />
as well as your life?<br />
It is <strong>the</strong> most important thing! It brings me many opportunities to<br />
get internship. Thanks to <strong>IAESTE</strong>, I had chance to go to England not<br />
only once time but one more time in 2010 for ten days for an internship<br />
in research and I was a part of software researchers. Generally,<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> improved my English, my techniques in such a wonderful way!<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> bring me a good base for such a good career like I own now.<br />
Use only 3 words to describe <strong>IAESTE</strong>!<br />
Amazing, unforgettable, thanks!<br />
who wanted to get <strong>IAESTE</strong> internship, I came to talk with <strong>the</strong>m to<br />
make <strong>the</strong>m more confident to complete <strong>the</strong>ir interview well.<br />
How about your support for <strong>IAESTE</strong>?<br />
I just share my experience. I created a Facebook group that helps me<br />
to collect o<strong>the</strong>r students coming from not only Vietnam but also o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
countries who want to know about <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam. I connect <strong>the</strong>m<br />
to give <strong>the</strong>m information, so that <strong>the</strong>y can understand more about<br />
each o<strong>the</strong>r, and <strong>the</strong> most important, understand about <strong>IAESTE</strong>.<br />
Tell about your work as an admin of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam page on Facebook?<br />
The first, I always keep anyone post everything in English. I also manage<br />
<strong>the</strong> comments and I have had some o<strong>the</strong>rs admins to help me to<br />
grow <strong>the</strong> group more active. And that group may be a good place to<br />
public all information related to <strong>IAESTE</strong>.<br />
What do you want to say to <strong>IAESTE</strong>?<br />
Thanks!<br />
How about your hope and wishes for <strong>IAESTE</strong>?<br />
I hope <strong>IAESTE</strong> generally and <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam particularly can bring<br />
many students to exchange from o<strong>the</strong>r countries to Vietnam and<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam will bring more students from Vietnam to go abroad.<br />
And I hope that <strong>IAESTE</strong> will grow day by day. Hope that you will have<br />
chance to get an internship through <strong>IAESTE</strong>. Try your best; <strong>the</strong> chance<br />
will come to you.<br />
Would you mind helping <strong>IAESTE</strong> by connecting some enterprises<br />
you know?<br />
Yes, I did, but not successful yet.<br />
Interview by Bui Thanh Huong,<br />
volunteer of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam<br />
17
Alumni<br />
N etwork<br />
Interview with <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
Vietnam Alumnus Giap Van Truong on his<br />
traineeship to Malaysia<br />
Is your job now similar to <strong>the</strong> work you did when you were a trainee<br />
through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program?<br />
I am now a staff at Samsung Electronics Vietnam. I work as a programmer<br />
and developer, just like all what I did when I was a trainee through <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
program.<br />
What did “<strong>IAESTE</strong>” mean in your mind when you were a student?<br />
The first time I heard about <strong>IAESTE</strong> was when I was 19 years old. I didn’t<br />
know what <strong>IAESTE</strong> meant. However, at that time, I dreamt of going<br />
abroad.<br />
Why did you choose <strong>IAESTE</strong> to apply for your internship? By whom<br />
you know about <strong>IAESTE</strong>?<br />
I thought that <strong>IAESTE</strong> can carry out my dream. One day in February 2010,<br />
I met Mr. Dinh Duong, who was a Vietnamese Alumni through <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
program and volunteer of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam also. He told me that: “<strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
is very interesting. <strong>IAESTE</strong> would make your dream come true! You should<br />
get out of Vietnam to carry out your dream”.<br />
Who helped you to gain <strong>the</strong> internship through <strong>IAESTE</strong>? And how<br />
about <strong>the</strong> role of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam? Did you have any difficulties?<br />
About difficulty-it was myself. I used to think about culture shock. Three<br />
months living away from home was a big challenge, but I decided to apply<br />
for <strong>the</strong> internship through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program. I had to make some documents,<br />
visa, and passports and <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam helped me to complete<br />
all to gain <strong>the</strong> internship. All staffs as well as volunteers of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam<br />
encouraged me a lot. Mr. Duong helped me to improve my English and<br />
gave me some necessary directions.<br />
How long did your internship last? Which company you worked for?<br />
It lasted three months from July 1st to October 1st, 2010. I worked at Grid<br />
Computing Lab of USM - University Sains Malaysia.<br />
Where did you stay in your internship?<br />
Actually, I just shared my room at hostel with a Mongolian man coming<br />
from IT University in <strong>the</strong> capital city of Mongolia. But I did stay with some<br />
Japanese, Indian, Jordan, Korean guys at <strong>the</strong> same building. At <strong>the</strong> hostel,<br />
I could use all necessary machines. There was also a watching room<br />
where international friends came to watch films or football.<br />
How was your internship? Did you get much knowledge or experience<br />
related to your major at college?<br />
Great! I got precious living skills and experience. The way managers treated<br />
me, <strong>the</strong> way I worked, just like industrial time. I tried to go to work on<br />
time and be careful in my work.<br />
How about exchange culture?<br />
The first thing I could realise was “culture shock”! The food, <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r<br />
was strange. In Malaysia, <strong>the</strong>re were some guys I met treated me so well.<br />
What is <strong>the</strong> most memorable memory in your internship?<br />
The most interesting thing I remember was to get to <strong>the</strong> office and had a<br />
little accident. I bent down to take something, <strong>the</strong>n I stood up and hit my<br />
head into <strong>the</strong> table. Suddenly, I said a Vietnamese sentence, which made<br />
me remember deeply where I come from at that far place.<br />
When your internship was about to end, how did you feel?<br />
I miss my family and country. The most important thing I realised was also<br />
<strong>the</strong> biggest questions: “What is <strong>the</strong> meaning of life? Why I do this internship?<br />
What I will do in <strong>the</strong> future”<br />
You want to return <strong>the</strong> time of your internship, don’t you?<br />
Really want, but no way!<br />
18<br />
Did you attend any activities of <strong>IAESTE</strong>?<br />
I attended <strong>IAESTE</strong> computer science class, <strong>IAESTE</strong> culture night, <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
Day, <strong>IAESTE</strong> meetings. From those activities, I had many international<br />
friends. We talked to each o<strong>the</strong>r about <strong>the</strong> foods of each country, Vietnamese<br />
foods of course and o<strong>the</strong>r things like custom and festivals.<br />
How about your support for <strong>IAESTE</strong>?<br />
I used to be a volunteer of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam. I always support for <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
with all my heart. I do everything I can do for <strong>IAESTE</strong> members; <strong>the</strong> people<br />
who want to carry out <strong>the</strong>ir dreams and join <strong>IAESTE</strong>.<br />
Do you want to gain any internship through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program for<br />
Master?<br />
I do, master is one of my dreams. If I can get master degree, I will do all <strong>the</strong><br />
ways I get, by <strong>IAESTE</strong>, by all means.<br />
How important and meaningful <strong>IAESTE</strong> is to your career as well as<br />
your life?<br />
Very important and meaningful! <strong>IAESTE</strong> has brought to my life precious<br />
things: English, living skill, experience and open environment. Thanks to<br />
my internship in Malaysia through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program, I had a very impressing<br />
point to write in my CV for getting new job after graduating from<br />
university. The internship illustrated <strong>the</strong> time I dared to live outside my<br />
country and showed my experience in such an industrial working environment.<br />
Use only 3 words to describe <strong>IAESTE</strong>!<br />
Great, Great and Great!<br />
What you want to say to <strong>IAESTE</strong>?<br />
Thank you <strong>IAESTE</strong> so much!<br />
How about your hope and wishes for <strong>IAESTE</strong>?<br />
Normally, I hope that <strong>IAESTE</strong> will always have a good future. Besides, hope<br />
that <strong>IAESTE</strong> will open more, so that more and more Vietnamese students<br />
like me will have opportunities to be trainees through <strong>IAESTE</strong> program.<br />
Could you help <strong>IAESTE</strong> open more by connecting enterprises you<br />
know?<br />
I am now just a staff of Samsung. But if it is possible, I always hope for<br />
that.<br />
Interview by Bui Thanh Huong,<br />
volunteer of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Vietnam
A lumni<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumnus Thomas Hughes<br />
on his life and traineeship in Sweden in 1960<br />
N etwork 19<br />
My name is Thomas A. Hughes and I was born<br />
in Rockaway Beach, NY, in 1933. I attended<br />
Regis High School (scholarship only, private,<br />
Catholic) and Holy Cross College, Worcester,<br />
MA, from which I received a B.S. in physics in 1955.<br />
After college I joined <strong>the</strong> US Marine Corps as a 2nd<br />
Lieutenant and served for three and a half years as a Naval<br />
Aviator and flight instructor. I returned to academia at Marquette<br />
University and subsequently Vanderbilt University. I<br />
received my PhD in <strong>the</strong>oretical nuclear physics in 1965 from<br />
Vanderbilt and was awarded a postdoctoral appointment at<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bartol Research Foundation of <strong>the</strong> Franklin Institute in<br />
Swarthmore PA. During this time I authored a number of<br />
papers in nuclear physics.<br />
In 1967 I joined <strong>the</strong> Scientific Center of <strong>the</strong> IBM Corporation<br />
in Houston, Texas, and pursued research and development<br />
in Power System Engineering and computer applications.<br />
This work involved security analysis for real time<br />
systems at <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Company’s (a joint partner) electrical<br />
grid and <strong>the</strong> development of computer algorithms to determine<br />
<strong>the</strong> stability of <strong>the</strong> grid in <strong>the</strong> case of line fault outages.<br />
A number of papers were published in IEEE/Power Systems<br />
as a result of this work. In 1976, I transferred to <strong>the</strong> Scientific<br />
Center in Palo Alto, CA, and managed research in an<br />
advanced database project. During this time I taught physics<br />
and ma<strong>the</strong>matics as an adjunct professor at a number of local<br />
colleges, which I continued to do after retiring from IBM in<br />
1991.<br />
In 1998, my wife and I moved to Arroyo Grande CA and<br />
I taught, as an adjunct professor of ma<strong>the</strong>matics at The California<br />
Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. I am<br />
now fully retired and have taken up o<strong>the</strong>r pursuits, such as<br />
political cartooning and maintenance of a web site on political<br />
and cultural <strong>issue</strong>s. My wife and I travel and bicycle both<br />
in <strong>the</strong> United States and Europe. I also play tennis as fits my<br />
age.<br />
In my first year of graduate school at Marquette University,<br />
I saw a bulletin in a science magazine concerning <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> program. I applied and requested an assignment to<br />
Stockholm Sweden.<br />
When I went to Metallografiska Institutet in Stockholm,<br />
my experience with physics was primarily through understanding<br />
<strong>the</strong> principles and <strong>the</strong>ory of science. I had never<br />
been in an actual research environment before. But I soon<br />
learned about <strong>the</strong> excitement of investigating physical properties<br />
that no one had before seen. Dr. Hellmut Fischmeister.<br />
The director of <strong>the</strong> Lab provided a research oriented environment<br />
that helped me in my future scientific research. He<br />
eventually retired as director of <strong>the</strong> Max Planck Institute for<br />
Metals Research at Stuttgart and lives in his native Austria.<br />
I think <strong>IAESTE</strong> provides an even more positive influence<br />
to young technically proficient students today than <strong>the</strong>y did<br />
in 1960. The international scope is amazing. And <strong>the</strong> number<br />
of countries involved is wonderful.<br />
19
Alumni<br />
N etwork<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumnus Emmanuel Garuz<br />
on his traineeship in Switzerland<br />
After finishing my first experience abroad, an Erasmus<br />
in Italy, I knew I wanted to try again that<br />
exciting feeling of being on your own, getting<br />
to know new people, new cultures and to fall in<br />
love with your new home.<br />
Initially I was not acquainted with <strong>IAESTE</strong>, but after<br />
getting back to Panama, and asking <strong>the</strong> local “international<br />
relationships office” of my University how could I<br />
repeat this amazing experience, <strong>the</strong>y told me about this<br />
outstanding idea of internships abroad.<br />
My first task for applying was to show <strong>the</strong> incoming<br />
trainees a bit of my country, help <strong>the</strong>m getting around,<br />
and have fun with <strong>the</strong>m! Who could have thought that<br />
part of <strong>the</strong> requirements to get a job in an international<br />
company would be to have fun in your own country?<br />
Well, yes! It was exactly that. I went out with <strong>the</strong>m, I<br />
showed <strong>the</strong>m all <strong>the</strong> places I knew, suddenly we started<br />
going to places where I was never been before! And it was<br />
spectacular!<br />
But <strong>the</strong> best part was about to come, a year passed,<br />
and it was time for me to apply. The <strong>IAESTE</strong> offers came,<br />
and <strong>the</strong>re was one for me, a Swiss company called EMPA<br />
was offering a long term internship (9 months) for an<br />
Electrical Engineer. I always wanted to learn German, be<br />
abroad for a long time, and luckily one of <strong>the</strong> trainees<br />
that went to Panama was from Switzerland and was living<br />
20 minutes away from <strong>the</strong> place I was about to be send<br />
to. It was just perfect. I applied, in a couple of weeks I<br />
received a confirmation of acceptance, and got everything<br />
ready to travel.<br />
Coming to Switzerland was better than imagined, <strong>the</strong><br />
most polite people you can find, amazing organisation for<br />
everything, everywhere, and nice cold wea<strong>the</strong>r (yes after<br />
living all your life in a humid hot tropical wea<strong>the</strong>r as in<br />
Panama, you get bored!).<br />
At <strong>the</strong> beginning, one of <strong>the</strong> most shocking things was<br />
<strong>the</strong> prices. But after <strong>the</strong> first payment, you really start<br />
enjoying it. I went to all trips I could, that were organised<br />
by <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> group, travelling around Switzerland with<br />
many o<strong>the</strong>r trainees, and making really nice friendships.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r incredible experience was when we received<br />
an invitation to take part in <strong>the</strong> “<strong>IAESTE</strong> – Get toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
Zagreb”, something we couldn’t let go. And indeed, Croatia<br />
is great! The organisers did an amazing job, we went to<br />
castles, bars, restaurants, and we even had time for wellness!<br />
It was a really nice opportunity to meet <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
trainees from all around Europe. The diversity of nationalities<br />
and cultures is unimagined, is for sure something<br />
you should experience if you haven’t had <strong>the</strong> opportunity<br />
yet.<br />
Recently I received a visit from <strong>the</strong> friends I made in<br />
Panama (<strong>IAESTE</strong> trainees that where <strong>the</strong>re <strong>the</strong> year before).<br />
We had a lot of fun, great memories came to our<br />
minds, and hopefully I will be visiting <strong>the</strong>m soon in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
countries!<br />
Thank you <strong>IAESTE</strong>!<br />
20
Ali Khan on his traineeship<br />
in Tokyo, Japan<br />
A lumni<br />
N etwork<br />
My name is Ali Khan and I am from Pakistan.<br />
I am currently a final year bachelors in<br />
mechanical engineering student at NUST<br />
PNEC in Karachi Pakistan. I first learned<br />
about <strong>IAESTE</strong> when I was in second semester through a<br />
senior of mine in college. Since <strong>the</strong>n I have been actively<br />
involved in <strong>the</strong> local committee of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Pakistan sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
chapter.<br />
After becoming a part of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Pakistan at PNEC<br />
I assisted our National Secretary Dr Ali Hassan with <strong>the</strong><br />
daily chores of <strong>IAESTE</strong> Pakistan at PNEC. We publicised<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> internship across NUST PNEC campus and assisted<br />
students requiring information regarding <strong>IAESTE</strong>.<br />
I went to Tokyo, Japan last summer from June 28th to<br />
August 28th I did my internship at Tokyo Institute of technology<br />
in Takahashi labs. The experience was technically intriguing<br />
at <strong>the</strong> same time filled with so much fun. The project<br />
that I worked on was an ongoing mondialago project<br />
where we tested and evaluated a refrigerator that worked on<br />
evaporative cooling techniques to cool a refrigerated space.<br />
The design was really novel and <strong>the</strong> project was for a really<br />
good cause namely to help a Nepali village to store food<br />
during off harvest season. The most inspiring part that I<br />
tried to take in my life was <strong>the</strong> Japanese work ethics.<br />
The <strong>IAESTE</strong> committee at Pakistan is primarily a one<br />
unified body. Though a lose distinction exists between <strong>the</strong><br />
nor<strong>the</strong>rn and sou<strong>the</strong>rn bodies. I have served in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
local committee for <strong>the</strong> last 2 years; most of what I have<br />
done has involved spreading and spanning <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
message across our college. It has been a really fulfilling experience<br />
we are trying to spread our wings in <strong>the</strong> region and<br />
so far things are running around in <strong>the</strong> right direction.<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> had a really positive impact on my life. It exposed<br />
me to different cultures, technology and gave me<br />
chance to see different cities that I wouldn’t have o<strong>the</strong>rwise.<br />
But <strong>the</strong> best bit of all was that it introduced me to so<br />
many great people that continue to contribute positively<br />
in my life.<br />
I am involved now more than ever, we are currently<br />
working on making our national website more userfriendly<br />
and more informative. The <strong>IAESTE</strong> chapter is<br />
undergoing due process to get a former shape in our college.<br />
Hopefully starting this year students at my college<br />
will have more opportunities for internship abroad than<br />
in previous years.<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> holds a paramount importance in this day and<br />
age primarily because of its ability in providing a huge platform<br />
for cultural exchange from all over <strong>the</strong> world while at<br />
<strong>the</strong> same time it stimulates technical growth for students<br />
looking forward to hone <strong>the</strong>ir technical skills.<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> in Pakistan is getting bigger in size with more<br />
universities and colleges joining in <strong>the</strong> ranks each year.<br />
Moreover under <strong>the</strong> leadership of <strong>the</strong> national secretary Dr<br />
Ali Hassan, <strong>IAESTE</strong> Pakistan boosts itself one of <strong>the</strong> largest<br />
platform for exchange of students for internship in <strong>the</strong><br />
country. On a personal level working for <strong>IAESTE</strong> Pakistan<br />
has been one of <strong>the</strong> most valuable experiences of my life as it<br />
really has broaden my horizons in so many levels. <strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
really does provide life changing experiences.<br />
21
etwork?How<br />
Alumni<br />
N<br />
can you help?<br />
In Your Country:<br />
• Become an <strong>IAESTE</strong> Employer and thus provide an opportunity for at least two students to gain invaluable<br />
international experience.<br />
• Attend reunion events in your area.<br />
• Assist with <strong>the</strong> reception of foreign trainees in your area (e.g. offering accommodation, acting as a<br />
contact person etc.)<br />
• Promote <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> programme to any undergraduate students that you know.<br />
Internationally:<br />
• Help <strong>IAESTE</strong> grow and develop by donating to <strong>the</strong> association.<br />
• Make your company a Global Sponsor and gain access to a worldwide network of Scientists, Engineers<br />
and Architects.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network:<br />
• Advertise your companies job vacancies on <strong>the</strong> Alumni Network and gain access to skilled, qualified<br />
engineers and scientists<br />
• Provide content/manage discussions and forums on <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumni Network.<br />
• Be a local Alumni contact and organise events in your region.<br />
• Sponsor <strong>IAESTE</strong> events such as <strong>the</strong> 65th Anniversary celebrations<br />
For fur<strong>the</strong>r information on any of <strong>the</strong> above please contact us<br />
Changing lives for 65 years<br />
As a part of our 65th Anniversary celebrations we will be holding a series of events and competitions<br />
throughout 2013. We are currently looking for sponsors for <strong>the</strong> events and are offering a high level of<br />
promotion for your company to our members, trainees and alumni. If you’re interested in sponsoring us,<br />
please send an email to gst@iaeste.org and we will provide you with fur<strong>the</strong>r details.<br />
Give us feedback on <strong>the</strong> IAN<br />
We’re always trying to improve our system and what we can offer our alumni, so if you have any feedback<br />
for us, please do let us know. We’re particularly interested in finding out what you like or don’t like<br />
about our online platform. With your feedback we can improve <strong>the</strong> experience for everyone. Send your<br />
thoughts and comments to alumni@iaeste.org<br />
What’s your <strong>IAESTE</strong> story?<br />
One of <strong>the</strong> things we all have in common is that we all have an <strong>IAESTE</strong> story. If you would like to share<br />
yours with us for publication in our next edition, email me at alumni@iaeste.org We’d love to hear from<br />
you.<br />
22<br />
alumni.iaeste.org
Contacts<br />
Contact Details:<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> General Secretary:<br />
Mr Goran Radnovic<br />
general.secretary@iaeste.org<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Alumni Relations Manager:<br />
Mr Bruce Mehlmann-Wicks<br />
alumni@iaeste.org<br />
Bruce<br />
Mehlmann-<br />
Wicks<br />
Skype:<br />
Postal Address:<br />
Main Website:<br />
IAN portal:<br />
iaeste.alumni<br />
<strong>IAESTE</strong> Asbl<br />
P. O. Box 35-05,<br />
11120 Belgrade<br />
Serbia<br />
www.iaeste.org<br />
alumni.iaeste.org<br />
Follow us online<br />
https://www.facebook.com/iaesteofficial<br />
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/<strong>IAESTE</strong>- Alumni-Network-134077<br />
https://twitter.com/<strong>IAESTE</strong><br />
23