Key 2003/2004 - AEGEE Europe

It's time to make noise!Claudia MorettiWhat AEGEE means to met was a cold winter night and I was attending the usualIlocal agora, but something in the eyes of the Presidenttold me that this agora wouldn't be so usual for me. My feelingwas confirmed when he asked me to organize the 10thanniversary celebrations for AEGEE-Napoli. I was not sure Iwas the right person, but something made me accept. I didn'trealise that one of the most exciting, beautiful andexhausting experiences of my life was just beginning.At first I was very unsure about how to structure the event,but soon, through a million phone calls, a thousand new contactsand one hundred nightmares about food, lodging andthoughts of losing the participants somewhere in the city,the event started to take shape.When the long expected arrival day came, I felt somethingwas wrong. It was: Napoli, the sunniest city of Italy, wascold and completely wet, to the great delight of umbrellasellers. I felt depressed and disappointed, but when I sawthe first enthusiastic participants' faces, I understood thatwe already had all we needed to make the atmospherewarmer. The first day of the event was mainly cultural and,as the participants were lodged in the very heart of the oldtown, we decided they should smell all the history they weresurrounded by. So, among puddles and umbrellas (the rainhadn't left us yet), our trip into the Neapolitan labyrinthsbegan. We visited the most important and ancient churches,saw the site of the ancient Greek Agora, and walked throughthe street of hand-crafted shepherds and Christmas cribs.The cultural tour hadn't finished yet: it continued at nightunder the red lights of a jazz club and in the streets adjoiningthe Royal Palace.Then it was time to party all day long; it was "Time to makeNoise." The truth is that we had already partied every night,but this special occasion required more. It was our 10thanniversary, and we felt we had to celebrate it by relaxingand partying. So we moved from Napoli to a paradise ofgreen grass near Avellino. On the way there, we thought ourparticipants would appreciate some good wine; so westopped in Taurasi to visit its famous cellars and taste somethingthat would make the atmosphere warmer and happier.And it did! When we arrived at our lodging place the partyhad already started, with singing and dancing in the bus...Many months have now passed since that magical celebration,and I wonder why all the feelings attached to that eventare still so fresh and alive. Well, my answer is that our 10thanniversary was so exciting just because AEGEE is exciting.We didn't need a brilliant idea or some special effects, wejust had to focus our attention on what AEGEE really is: culture,laughter, nature, music, friendship and most of all people.These are the elements that make all AEGEE eventssimilar and unique at the same time, and these are theingredients we put into our formula.Food or isn’t it?Bas van Rijnberkhether you are an experiencedWtraveller or a beginner, there isalways one thing that you should keepin mind when you are on the road:never expect to eat WHAT you like orWHEN you like. During my many trips in and outside ofAEGEE, I noticed a lot of major differences between peoples'eating habits.Let me give you an example: the Dutch, me being one ofthem, like to have a scarcely filled sandwich sometimearound noon. However, after spending few months in theUnited States, I noticed a completely different attitudetowards lunch. If it doesn't say "Hamburger and fries",don't eat it! Obligatory is having lots of ketchup and yourdiet coke! The Mexicans again eat only a sandwich butone topped with everything they can find in the refrigerator:lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, mustard, mayonnaise,pickles, some onions, a little left over chicken from yesterday,some rice and to top it all a nice piece of cheese.Yes, we are talking about one sandwich here.Some years ago, within AEGEE-Eindhoven, we had thepleasure of hosting exchange students from a big city inthe middle of Spain. We, in Holland, enjoy the pleasure ofhaving a pancake party for dinner and therefore we werevery happy to present this tradition to our new friends.Being in Spain however, for the second half of theexchange, members of AEGEE-Eindhoven had to suffer anentire night without any dinner, as a retribution for thepancake party.While walking down a street with a Polish girl, be preparedthat one might make remarks about the local animals,like: "Look, tasty dog!" On the other hand, when Iwas visiting Poland I was forced to eat a very traditionalPolish dish, namely blood soup. Main ingredient: theblood of a duck. Being really proud of the fact that I hadfinished a whole bowl of it, after having the serving motheradmiringly for my heroic act, I told every Polish personI met afterwards of my new found knowledge of thesecret Polish culinary traditions. Secret indeed, cause Inever found another person who even heard of the soup.And thank you very much!Is it possible to be able to categorise people by the waythey eat? Let's just take a look at the evidence we havegathered. Mexicans (and Spanish) like the good life. Youcan't find an empty bar or an empty glass in the weekendthere and they're certainly always in for a party or two.This explains the rich sandwich, being it another case oftasting the good life. Americans like it big, fast and aboveall, they like it all! No comments needed here, I guess.Most of the Polish people I've met like the traditional values,whether they're just made up or for real. And, moreimportant, they're not ashamed to share it with otherpeople. And finally, the Dutch: they may be typecast aseither really cheap or really sober.All in all, we might conclude that someone's eating habitsare a direct consequence of the way someone lives. So,next time you're packing up your suitcases for an AEGEEtrip, remember that the best way you're gonna learn whosomebody is, is to watch what, when and how they arehaving dinner.EGEE is the perfect organization to make won-trips to wonderful places all over Europe,Aderfulto meet wonderful people and to learn a lot aboutyourself and other cultures. During AEGEE-activitiesI had a wonderful time! I met a lot of nice, interestingpeople who became friends. And friends mean alot to me :-)Agna van Dijk (AEGEE-Utrecht)t can be summer or spring.IIt can be warm or cold. Anything.Anywhere. In any mood. With flyingcolours or not. High spirits or not.But, sure, it's friends. Not alone, notlonely, not lonesome. Aegee isfriends. Friends that may not speakyour language, friends with whomyou may only communicate withbody language. Friends that keep uwarm...Stella Parascha (AEGEE-Athina)EGEE has been an enormous experience for me for fourAyears... Every person I met in every event,made me connectstrongly to this lovely network. Briefly, I love AEGEE :)Ozan Cakmak (AEGEE-Ankara)hen I was hanging around the Key toWEurope team, which was working in theAEGEE-Eindhoven office, somebody asked mewhat AEGEE means to me. And what does itmean to me? Well… this… A weekend in theoffice; many international friends around -some sleeping on the couch, others chattingabout future AEGEE plans; coffee; chocolate…and most of all, it all seems to be the most normalthings to be happening. So AEGEE showedme once more it is a frame for meeting themost interesting people you can imagine in themost incredible circumstances you can wish for.AEGEE is an extra world, an opportunity forpersonal development. AEGEE is what youmake out of it yourself and that's what it exactlymeans to me.Mirjam Kibbeling (AEGEE-Eindhoven)EGEE is not just a travel agency! It is consideredAas the best way of student traveling and meetingpeople around Europe but it is not just this! AEGEEis the only way to overcome our differences andwork for a united Europe but with respect to culturaland historical background of the differentEuropean Nations! This is AEGEE for me!Vangelis Antonakis (AEGEE-Peiraias)EGEE is a playground, where not so small boys and girlsAfrom all over Europe try to make their ideas come true.Adam Kucza (AEGEE-Zielona Góra)EGEE is the guarantee of finding people to supportAand make happen your boldest initiatives and the courage to makemistakes knowing that the lessons will be for life; maybe just otherwords for the unwritten primary goal of AEGEE: personal development.Ioana Muresan (AEGEE-Bucuresti)And whatAEGEE meansto YOU?ore than friendship...more than ideals...moreMthan culture and fun...since 1997 AEGEE in mylife means... FAMILY!!!"Paolo Santoni (AEGEE-Firenze & AEGEE-Pisa)EGEE is a way of living for me. The spirit ofAAegee inspires me every day! Young peoplehave the chance to travel around Europe and reallybecome European citizens by understanding theculture-spirit of all countries. I like that people sodifferent in many aspects have something in common,AEGEE!!!Nicholas Sakellarios (AEGEE-Rodos)What AEGEE means to me Focus on training Fields of action What is AEGEE? Introduction52 Key to Europe 2003/2004Key to Europe 2003/200453