6 Contact: Global Support Team l e-mail: gst@iaeste.org
A lumni N etwork <strong>IAESTE</strong>s Annual Alumni Conference 2013 - Fredrik Jakobsen’s report When I arrived in Belfast on Thursday, I was received at <strong>the</strong> airport by a group of somewhat flustered <strong>IAESTE</strong> members. It turned out that <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r conditions had impaired <strong>the</strong> air traffic, and a lot of flights carrying participants to ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> Annual Conference (AC) or <strong>the</strong> Annual Alumni Conference (AAC) had been delayed or cancelled. Some of <strong>the</strong> participants were quite excited about <strong>the</strong> snowy climate of Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland as <strong>the</strong>y had limited experience with such conditions from <strong>the</strong>ir native countries. With <strong>the</strong> organisers trying <strong>the</strong>ir best to adapt <strong>the</strong>ir schedules, I spent <strong>the</strong> evening on a nearby pub called Robinson, joined by two AAC participants from Poland. We enjoyed <strong>the</strong> attention from local customers, who had taken notice of our participant cards and were curious of <strong>the</strong> nature of <strong>the</strong> convention we were participating, and of <strong>IAESTE</strong> in general. On Friday I missed out on a sight-seeing excursion to <strong>the</strong> Giant’s Causeway, which was a pity, but at least I got <strong>the</strong> time to recuperate from an entire day of travelling. In <strong>the</strong> evening <strong>the</strong>re was a welcoming buffet with participants from both of <strong>the</strong> conferences. The official opening ceremony was held on Saturday morning. There were speeches held by <strong>the</strong> Board, as well as members of <strong>the</strong> British Council, on behalf of <strong>the</strong> hosting committee. The ceremony was accompanied by traditional Irish musical numbers. After <strong>the</strong> ceremony, <strong>the</strong> national committee representatives began <strong>the</strong> exchange session, while <strong>the</strong> AAC group had its first session of presentations and workshops. One of <strong>the</strong> presentations was given by Enda Young, who taught us <strong>the</strong> basic principles of interpersonal conflicts, and how <strong>the</strong>y could affect us and our environments. One of <strong>the</strong> workshops concerned possible improvements of <strong>the</strong> Alumni web pages. After <strong>the</strong> conference activities, we went to <strong>the</strong> Titanic Signature Building for a dinner toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> AAC participants. Representatives of <strong>the</strong> British Council held a couple of speeches, and a local choir entertained us with some singing. Most of <strong>the</strong> younger audience joined in with dancing throughout <strong>the</strong> performance. On Sunday we went on a sight-seeing tour narrated by Pauline Ferguson. We saw <strong>the</strong> Parliamentary Building, <strong>the</strong> industrial district, <strong>the</strong> peace wall, <strong>the</strong> University, and <strong>the</strong> town’s smallest house. Afterwards, Pauline held a presentation about <strong>the</strong> history of <strong>IAESTE</strong>, and we saw a movie that was basically a forty-minute long slideshow documenting Annual Conferences throughout <strong>the</strong> years. After that, we were joined by Jimmy Jack, an earlier <strong>IAESTE</strong> trainee originating from Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland. Elef<strong>the</strong>ria Karydi gave a short presentation on <strong>IAESTE</strong>’s international fundraising activities, and we had a round of “My <strong>IAESTE</strong> experience” presentations. In <strong>the</strong> evening we joined <strong>the</strong> international evening event, and represented <strong>the</strong> alumni group with our own table. There was much rejoicing. On Monday I stopped by Europa Hotel to get a small glimpse of <strong>the</strong> Conference, before I left around eleven. Fredrik Jakobsen – centre of picture Photo taken by Anli Tang My little <strong>IAESTE</strong> story – Sabine Niebel I just graduated last summer and found my first job in Switzerland. Happy about <strong>the</strong> new situation and to be able to take long holidays over Christmas and New Year’s; I felt that I cannot ask my boss for more holidays to attend <strong>the</strong> Alumni Conference in January. Just two weeks after <strong>the</strong> last holidays – I thought it would be impossible. Fortunately my Spanish friend Almu wrote to me at <strong>the</strong> last minute before Christmas, convincing me to come. So I went to my boss, asked if I could take two more days off to go to <strong>the</strong> <strong>IAESTE</strong> event and what did I learn? My boss looked at me with a bright smile, telling me that years ago he was an <strong>IAESTE</strong> trainee in Norway. So I got <strong>the</strong> days off and luckily went to this great and well organised second Alumni Conference. Life is full of good surprises! Thanks <strong>IAESTE</strong>! Photo taken by Anli Tang 7