IAESTE Annual Review 2020/21

Discovering picturesque locations and ancient temples of India.
IAESTE, as an organisation, always has much more to offer than what we
can give in return, and I, Kartik Sumrani (SRO, IAESTE India, LC MUJ),
feel the same very strongly. My time as the Summer Reception Officer
(SRO) has been overwhelmingly enriching and memorable. It has made
me realise my potential, helped me grow as a person, and become more
dynamic in approach. A summer with interns from different countries,
cultures, and traditions can surely change how you comprehend the world
around you. Making friends from around the globe, uncovering their
customs and traditions, and simultaneously making them experience and
discover our rich heritage and culture is something only IAESTE can offer.
By organising trips to various places like Pushkar, Jaipur, Delhi, and
Agra, we shared the moments of the excitement of visiting new sites, an
opportunity to learn a bit more about India, and getting mesmerised by
the startling views of forts, temples and palaces. In ‘The Jaipur Weekend,’
we, along with interns, explored India’s Pink City. The majestic buildings,
glorious forts, and palaces, and a cultural evening showcasing vibrant
Rajasthani folk dance and music left everyone happy.
The best part of Summer Reception was ‘The Himalayan Challenge’,
IAESTE India LC MUJ’s first flagship event. It was the most stunning seven
days for all of us, an event open to all IAESTE Local Committees throughout
India, wherein we met the most incredible people from other LCs. We
had the chance to socialise and mingle with the various cultural and
linguistic backgrounds they come from. Every fortuitous person who took
the challenge had loads of activities to go through, such as Yoga Sessions,
Bollywood Nights, Rappelling, Treasure Hunt, Trekking, Ziplining, and
Interns exploring the great city of Ajmer, an oasis wrapped in green hills
with a rich and vibrant history
last but the most significant of all, the beautiful bonfires under the starry
nights among the mountains. The Himalayan Challenge had definitely
been a challenge when it came to organising and executing it, but it was
undeniably the most successful and remarkable event.
I have made a lot of unforgettable memories during my time as the
Summer Reception Officer. We’ve now turned into a small family, and I’ll
always cherish the summertime I spent with those wondrous interns. I will
always be grateful to IAESTE India, LC MUJ for giving me this wonderful
opportunity.
45