AIESEC in Taylor’s University’s A Decade of Excellence!

A decade of excellence? Time flies.

I still remember when I first entered the college’s meeting room, I was given a HOT-TO-GO cheer. That was my very first AIESEC’s cultural shock experience. It did not stop there. It went on with the square dances and crazy roll calls. Sooner or later, I managed to gel with the culture.

I took up the challenge to apply a position in the organisation even though I was a new member. I became the Vice President of Human Resources and my partner was Yy who was the Vice President of Learning. I still remember I was in charge of recruitment as well as members’ involvement in the activities and events whereas Yy was in charge of the members’ development and learning in the organisation. It was not an easy year as AIESEC was still new in college.

In the following year, I stepped down from the Committee. Why? I wanted to start the organisation’s very first Project Based On Exchange (PBox) which was TOMORROW – A Colourful Tomorrow For The Children Of Today. I had to recruit people to be part of my team and we had to work together to get sponsors to fund the project. It was not easy at all but I can proudly say that the project was a success. One of my biggest achievement was I managed to get Berjaya Group to sponsor the Motivational Camp.

What happened after I graduated? I was still actively involved in AIESEC. Doing what? I was one of the Exchange Participants! I was matched to a company in Shanghai and that was where I did my one-year AIESEC Exchange Programme. A very fulfilling and satisfactory experience I shall say.

Looking back, I realised I changed a lot thanks to AIESEC. I became who I am today mostly because of my involvement in AIESEC’s activities, events and programmes. It does not make any difference to a person if he or she joined an organisation that provides a lot of opportunities and he or she does not seize the opportunities himself or herself.

That night was a night to celebrate 10 years’ of hard work from each term. For me, it was more like a catching up moments with friends that I had not seen for so long.

Also, for senior members like us, we could see the enthusiasm and the excitement of the new members. AIESEC in Taylor’s University has changed a lot, to better, definitely. Now I am looking forward to Two Decades Of Excellence!

My First Exchange Program Abroad!

I was with AIESEC for two and a half years when I was still pursuing my Degree at Taylor’s Business School. It did not take me long in deciding to do an exchange program abroad with AIESEC.

Back in Year 2009, with the help of my then EP Manager, Kenny Chong, I was matched with a company in Shanghai, iLemon Group Inc., for a one-year exchange program. Many were surprised with my choice including myself. However, I am glad that I made the right choice. If I were given a choice to choose again, I would still choose Shanghai. I left for Shanghai back in August 2009.

I was fortunate to have great colleagues. Not only did I get to work with the local Chinese, I had the opportunity to work with people from different countries ie. France, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and United Kingdom. Some were the company’s permanent employees while a few of them were AIESEC EPs like me. Therefore, I was blessed to be able to learn and exchange culture and knowledge with these people. I am an Accounting and Finance Majors graduate and I worked in a gaming industry company. It was not easy but it was definitely exciting, challenging and most important of all, fun especially with these aforementioned people!

In Shanghai, I got to meet other great AIESEC interns who were there before me – some called themselves FAISECers (Fake AIESECers) though. There was a few of them that had become the permanent employees after their internship ended. Each and every one of them has their own story but they have one thing in common – amazing! These people are amazing. In less than a month’s time, you made a lot of close friends. Back in Malaysia, I was still worried that I may not enjoy my internship in Shanghai. I am glad that I was proved wrong.

Some of us traveled together to another province in China. It was my very first time to venture as a backpacker. We took a train to our destination, Nanjing. We stayed in a backpacker hostel. We went around with the guidance of a map only! Just because of this one trip, I fall in love with backpacking and would love to do more!

One of the most memorable moments was when all of us gathered together on Halloween night, suited-up and crashed Shanghai’s infamous haunted mansion, Shanghai Nightmare. We were the only ones who dressed up and became the center of attention. Lurking that night were mummies, vampires, pirates, Leatherman, Shangers' beloved HaiBao and Shinigami (that’s me!).

Throughout my journey in Shanghai, not only I met a lot of wonderful people, I had to part with them too. I attended numerous welcoming as well as farewell parties. Before I could realise what happened, it was my turn to bid farewell to them and Shanghai. It was hard especially when I had the intention to work permanently in Shanghai.

Honestly, this journey had really changed my life. It changed me as a whole. I became more independent and learned to make decisions on my own even more as well as be responsible for them. It was not a perfect journey – there were ups and downs – but I am really proud of myself. I became stronger and tougher.

“So, aren’t there any disadvantages of this exchange program abroad?”

Yes! I could not stop talking about Shanghai even after I came back to Malaysia. My friends were all fed up of me mentioning whatever happened back in Shanghai. The virus lasted for six months!

What are you waiting for? AIESEC provides all the opportunities you could ever think of but it is YOU who have to grab it!

AIESEC Alumni Hat Party@Bankers Club

It was about two weeks ago when I attended AIESEC Alumni Hat Party at Bankers Club. To be frank, I do not know most of the people there. Out of hundred, probably, I only know less than 10 people. Very saddening, no?

Still, I had fun that night to be able to meet those I had not seen for years! The venue was great and man, I love the food. Not to forget the alcoholic beverage they provided us too; beers, whisky and vodka. It seems we are not paying RM180 for naught.

Sculling is a very common game in AIESEC. Since we are all grown-ups, we have beers for sculling. However, you can have Coke if you do not drink. Me? Waddaya think? Beer no doubt!

The photographers for the event. They did an awesome job! Lovin’ their pictures. The dude on the left is still studying while the one on the right is waiting for the one on the left to finish his studies so they could come out and establish a partnership to run a studio together! Awesome, no?

The alumnus (plus Kw) from Taylor’s. We met two juniors that night too. In fact, most of the people who came for the dinner were juniors. Alumni? It was more or less like Generation-Y-meeting-Generation-X dinner.

Believe it or not, we have people who are being AIESEC alumnus for more than 20 years! There were number of people who are around 10 years old alumni. The picture above are the us, who are AIESEC alumnus for less than 5 years.

Gonna end this post with the group picture for the night. Not sure if I would be going for the next one. I would, perhaps but, I am more looking forward to this AIESEC Alumni Conference or something. This year’s (or was it last year’s) conference looked fun!

Member Committee of China

Alright. Back to my way backdated post. And you know what? I can’t be arsed to type loads of words in my backdated posts now. The cold weather made me lazy! Shanghai is crazy! It’s not even Winter and it’s freaking cold now. Believe it or not, it was 1ºC in the morning! Fortunately, it was sunny. Alright. Back to my post.

I met up with the Member Committee of China the other night, thought they would be as cool as the ones we have in Malaysia. But meh!

I got to meet up with the interns who are lurking around Shanghai like me! That’s Cagri, a Turkish, on the left and Tom, a German, on the right. Cagri left Shanghai few weeks ago and Tom will be leaving soon. Shanghai is a sexy bitch. She made you meet herd of great people but she made you bid them goodbye before you could realise how fast the time flies!

Anyhow, that’s the Member Committee of China. As you can see, females dominate the males. How cool is that? To my knowledge, females are more dominant in Shanghai but males are more dominant in Beijing. Interesting fact, huh?

That girl in blue top, FORGOT THE NAME, is a Malaysian! Andddd..next to her is Dan, my (ex-)housemate, followed by Calvin, a Canadian, ME, Tom and SOMEONE from Wuhan. Now, that ends everything.

Stay tuned for my next way backdated post!

Passed?

Still remember that I got shortlisted and did the online test for a position in UBS, Hong Kong? No? Never mind, the links are there.

After 4 working days, having no news from their side (whether or not I passed the test), I decided to give a shot. After the mail was sent, the lady from the end gave me a prompt reply.

The first line caught my attention which read

‘Please confirm your availability for your first phone interview during this time.’

I wasn’t dreaming!

Congratulations to me!

Though she never mentioned specifically whether or not I passed the test, in order for you to proceed for the first phone interview, you have to pass the test.

Which means what? I passed the test!

My very first phone interview with this organisation would be next Monday!

Few more steps for me to grasp this position.

Wish me best of luck!

p/s: Share some phone interview tips, ya?

RACE 2008

With Clinique’s free voucher for Beauty Makeover worth RM100, I totally looked different.

 

 

Having Vic not being able to pick me up to the event, I called Charlie. He is really kind to give me a ride. 

 

The stage

 

Shanny

 

Ching Yee

 

Ke Vin

 

AIESEC in Taylor’s University College brought home two awards; The Best Talent Management Team and The Best Finance and Administration Team for the year 2008. These awards were unexpected!

 

 

All the past and current Member Committee of Malaysia

 

and all the past and current Member Committee President of Malaysia

 

It was the worst night ever. Somehow or rather, after I had my dinner, I was not feeling well and there goes my food, into the toilet bowl –__- RM65, a bit wasted lar.

Feeling sick after RACE 2008

Somehow or rather, after the dinner at RACE 2008, I was feeling very very sick. I think the food and beverage were not fresh at all. After a photography session on the stage, I rushed to the toilet and guess what? I vomited. My stomach felt damn sick wei. Therefore, could not enjoy myself during that night. All I wished for that night was to go home. Once I reached home, and again I rushed to the toilet and this time, I vomited EVERYTHING. Food poisoning? I have no idea. Could not have a good sleep. Somehow or rather, my body was feeling very hot [though the air-cond is on] and I woke up in a middle of the night a few times. I am feeling better today but still feeling sick

ATAN 2008 & Yuen Steamboat

This is going to be another long post again. It has been a pretty busy week for me, don’t you think so? Well, it is far better than being rotten at home.

 

On Friday evening, the boyfriend and I went to attend AIESEC in Taylor’s University College’s Appreciation Night (ATAN) 2008. It was a great initiative to organize such event, to appreciate the efforts and hard work of those members who had been contributing to the local committee throughout the year. I did not manage to execute such event last year due to lack of manpower. That’s sad, right? I know.

 

Michelle and I

 

 

AIESEC Malaysia Committee and a few AIESECers from other Local Committee were there as well.

 

That’s Issac.

 

The event started off with our well-known square dance song, Mr. Q, by the Management Team of 2009, well, except for Shanny.

 

Opening performance, More Than Words; Ramadhan the Guitarist and Cecilia, Ke Vin and Shanny the singers. They were doing great. Apparently, I was supposed to sing with them as well. However, due to my messy schedule which will affect our practice and such, I decided to pull out.

 

In his mind: “When are they going to give out the certs?”

 

There, the first awards presentation for the contributors to Local Leadership Development Seminar, followed by Induction Conference and of course, the baby of AIESE TUC, TOMORROW, Project Based on Exchange.

 

And before we could have our refreshments, we were entertained by a dance performance by Suek Yee, Cecilia, Shanny and Ke Vin

 

Sook Theng and I

 

Darling and I

 

Shanny!

 

Leon and Shan

 

Clarence and Ramadhan

 

Nick who came later

 

It all started off with five guys..

 

..and having girls in the middle..

 

..and later, two MC who happened to pass by.

 

Jul, who won the Best Dressed for the evening

 

Before the awards presentation for the contributors to Career and Employment Fair 2008, there were Miscellaneous Awards being given out as well.

 

 

Issac won the Most ‘Hamsap’ Award

 

Sook Theng won the Lamest AIESECer Award

 

Shanny won the Most Talented AIESECer Award with her sexy dance moves.

 

Last but not least, Cecilia won the Most Hyper AIESECer Award.

 

 

Next was the emo emo moments; touching speech by Sook Theng as well as her team. And before the event ended, there were awards presentation to the Executive Boards of 2008 and more emo emo moments again. Comments on the event? Well, there were a lot of syok sendiri and inside jokes. If I were to be an outsider, I would not know what was going on. Nonetheless, the event was going pretty smooth.

 

 

 

And the best thing was I received two certificates. Thank you!

 

After ATAN, the boyfriend and I had to rush to Yuen Steamboat to join the rest of our friends to celebrate the end of our exams

 

 

That night, I had been eating a lot and I was not even full. Well, I indulged myself mostly with seafood. Somehow or rather, I had the mood to keep eating but unfortunately, there was a few unhappy incidents happened that night.

 

First, the boyfriend’s brother’s car met an accident, AGAIN. My gosh! He just bought the car for less than 4 months and was involved in an accident the second time in just less than three months the last time his car met its first accident. Can you believe it? This is the last thing that I wish to happen, you know? Therefore, again, he has to lend his car to his brother. However, the boyfriend himself will start working next week and of course, without his car, it will be damn inconvenient for him. He had gone through a hard time during the last period where he did not has a car to drive.

 

Second, something happened between our friends. I think it is not appropriate for me to further elaborate on what was going on between them.

 

Also, unfortunately, it is the end of Langkawi trip with the girls. We were almost conned by the package offered by a travel agency. Somehow or rather, I felt a bit frustrated about this whole trip thing. I am not going to expose the reasons behind it. I am just frustrated. Anyway, we have Plan B: to Genting Highlands. I believe this trip is far easier to manage than the trip to Langkawi, right?