[AIESEC] I Am An AIESECer

Hey readers! =D

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. The latest theme for the AIESEC National Recruitment Blog Campaign is "I Am An AIESECer". I am, at this moment, still an AIESECer and have been one since August 2009.

I Am An AIESECer as stated by my merchandises.

Through the years I have been in AIESEC, there are a number of memorable moments which makes me proud to say that I am an AIESECer. Here we go.

Memorable moment #1

Conferences, especially my first AIESEC conference. Click on the link to find out more about my first AIESEC conference. In a nutshell, this conference was one of the life changing moments in my AIESEC journey and one I will not forget for a long time.

Group photo at the end of RLDS 2011

LLDS was not bad either as everyone within the local committee/chapter bonded together over 3 days and it was an awesome experience. =)

Group photo at the end of LLDS May 2012

Memorable moment #2

Creating a video for a contest which was for a national conference, MyLDS 2012. It was my first time creating a video related to AIESEC and this is where I unleash my creativity in making the video. Credits to Raymond Her and Jimmy for helping out with the filming of the video which was done mainly in UKM, where the conference was held. Had loads of fun while filming of the video and it has rank 2nd out of 5 videos in terms of number of likes. So, if you want to know why you should go for this conference, here's my take on it. =)

Memorable moment #3

Term 2011/2012 was personally for me the term where I made my return to AIESEC and grab many opportunities that came along throughout that term. Applied for many positions which includes Organising Committee President/Project Manager of RAwR (didn't get it but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger), Chief Delegate of MyLDS for LC TU, Manager of Finance and Administration and even Vice President of Finance and Administration for AIESEC Malaysia 2012/2013 (didn't get it but still a worthy attempt).

To be rewarded and recognised for my performance throughout the term is something that I am really proud of and hope that this will inspire all AIESECers to do their very best throughout their AIESEC journey.

Recognition received throughout AIESEC Taylor's Award and Alumni Night (ATAAN)

Memorable moment #4

Since being in AIESEC, I always wanted to go back to my secondary school, SMK Subang Jaya, to see an AIESEC related event being held there. That day finally came on 20 September 2012 where the Raising Awareness with Reaction (RAwR for short) team conducted a HIV/AIDS Champion Workshop for the Form 4 students. I had the privilege to present the first few slides about AIESEC and myself. Being introduced by the school counselor, Puan Lee as an alumnus to the students is a day that I will never forget as my wish came true. =)

Montage of the HIV/AIDS Workshop in SMK Subang Jaya. Credits to Puan Chuah.

Memorable Moment #5

Just being part of this big family and one that I will cherish for life, all the fun, crazy and enjoyable times. We work hard and we play harder! Everyone does their best in everything they do to ensure that we learn and grow as one entity. There is a saying that reflects this: " If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together". - African Proverb.

One Big AIESEC Family

These are my my proudest moments in AIESEC.

If I weren't an AIESECer, I would be the same person that I was before joining AIESEC: quiet, lack of confidence, a perspective towards the world that has not really expand and many other negative characteristics compared to the person I am now: confident, capable, committed and reliable.

In fact, none of the above moments or experiences that I have gain in AIESEC would have existed in the first place if I weren't an AIESECer.

It is because of AIESEC that I get to meet people from all walks of life both locally and internationally.
It is because of AIESEC that I keep on stepping out of my comfort zone.
It is because of AIESEC that I am who I am today.

Sure, there are other platforms out there to develop yourself but AIESEC is one of the fastest growing platform to develop yourself. So, take the plunge and experience it for yourself.

If you are still unsure, do read this note, "If You Are Wondering Why AIESEC", shared by Yana Makaveeva, President of AIESEC UAE 2012/2013 and written by Nawaz Latif, Vice President Organizational Development of AIESEC United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2012/2013 on behalf of AIESEC UAE at Open Thinking Day 2012.

Last but not least, I am proud to say that

[AIESEC] The Change

Hey readers.

This is my second post for AIESEC's National Recruitment Blog Campaign. This time the theme is 'The Change'.

Theme: The Change

Having been in AIESEC since August 2009, I have see tremendous growth in myself. When I first join AIESEC, I was a person who had the ability to speak out but lack the confidence as well as other soft skills. I was also shy as well and I just wanted to break out of my comfort zone and be a better person than I was before. At times, it was not easy to make those changes and I nearly could have gave it up and remain the same person. However, I chose not to and decide to go through it.

There have been a few events and/or turning points that have change me from a student with very little confidence to a person who is now able to go out there and speak to strangers, give presentations to a large number of people and providing guidance to people who want to make a change in themselves.

One of those life events was being out of AIESEC for a year due to medical reasons. I was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia just a month into my term as the Vice President (VP) of Finance and Administration 2010/2011. It was one of the most difficult moments in my life and not being involved in AIESEC was difficult to take. I had to focus on getting well again and see how things progress.

I resume back my studies in February 2011 and attended a few AIESEC events and gatherings, reconnect back with the ones I knew when I first joined AIESEC and getting to know the ones who have recently joined AIESEC. In April/May, a friend, who was then part of the current Executive Board ask me this question: when will you be back in AIESEC? I told him most likely in January 2012 as I wanted to focus on my studies and most importantly my health. He ask me why not July 2012 and face the possible fact that I might not be remembered that I was once a VP in AIESEC should I rejoined 6 months later. It was one of the toughest decisions I had to make and on 1 July 2012, which at that time was AIESEC Taylor's Award Night, I announce my decision to officially return back to AIESEC. I return because of the people whom I knew and believe that I could make changes to myself in order to be a better person.

Another turning point in my AIESEC career is my first AIESEC conference. It was just a 3 months into my comeback from AIESEC (will explain that part in a bit) and I just did not have the drive to well. I also had to deal with the setback of not being selected as the Organising Committee President/Project Manager of Raising Awareness with Reaction (RAwR). I was questioning myself: Did I made the right choice to comeback to AIESEC? Did I actually have the determination to make myself a better person? Was I actually that good? I persevered and things were a little bit better by the time RLDS came and the rest was history.

I became a more confident person after that. Was performing very well in Project Management in which my teammates and I managed to get PT Foundation as our learning partner for Raising Awareness with Reaction and Rumah Shahlom as a partner under the TOMORROW Children Development Project. These efforts were rewarded during Local Committee Meeting, where each department share their updates for the past few months. I was awarded the Best Performing Member of Project Management.

The blue envelope which states "Best Performing Member of Project Management".

Apart from that, I was appointed the Manager of Finance and Administration for the remainder of the term and was the Chief Delegate of the Malaysian Leadership Development Seminar (MyLDS) before I was ruled out of the conference due to dengue fever. At that point, as I was gaining more confident since RLDS, I became overconfident which actually intimidated people. This phrase was mentioned during a feedback session and I had to make some adjustments to myself in order to be in a way confident yet it does not intimidate or affect the people around me.

As the months went by and when it came to another feedback session during a conference between the senior members, the ones that I received in January and the ones in May were different. These feedback show how much I have improved within those few months and it show that I was on the right path to success. On 30th June 2012 at 7pm, it was the AIESEC Taylor's Award and Alumni Night which recognises the performance of members throughout the term. On that night, I was awarded 2 awards, Most Performing Member of Strategic Initiatives and AIESECer of the Year. I did not expect to get one let alone two awards. These awards are just the icing on the cake on my long yet rewarding journey in AIESEC. To comeback from a very difficult moment, making those changes and sacrifices along the way and to top it off with these awards, is just unbelievable. I could not have done it without the support of my teammates and AIESECers who have been with me through good and bad times.

The awards.

The main turning point was actually joining AIESEC. In fact I would not have joined AIESEC had I actually change university. At that time, I have just completed Business Foundation in Taylor's and was contemplating which university to go to: remain in Taylor's or go to Metropolitan College. Had I chose Metropolitan over Taylor's, I would not have known about AIESEC and be who I am today.

That's it from me. I shall end this post with a quote and a collage of myself from 2009 to present. Hope you gain something from this post. Till then, have a nice day. =)

The change in me: 2009 to 2012 (Present)

"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living" - Gail Sheehy.

[AIESEC] AIESEC Photo A Day Part 3

Hey all.

The final installment of the AIESEC Photo A Day with the remaining 10 themes. Enjoy. =)

Day 21: Where I Want To Be In 2015

Working somewhere while in the progress of heading towards either one of these directions.

Day 22: Black and White

Black and white photo taken after a RAwR (Raising Awareness with Reaction) workshop regarding HIV/AIDS back in March. =)

Credits to Grace See.

Day 23: Future

To go for the Global Community Development Programme in the not so distant future. =)

Destination: TBC

Video about GCDP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnRuS7x7z7A

Day 24: My Wish For You

Top: AIESEC Malaysia Awards Night 2010
Bottom: Top Gun Local Committee Plate

To my beloved Local Committee, AIESEC in Taylor's University, my wish for you is to be Top Gun again and be the best not just in Malaysia but regionally as well. =)

Day 25: I am an AIESECer

I am an AIESECer! =D

Day 26: AIESEC Shirt

Shirts from TU, other LCs, conferences and one from China.

The number of AIESEC shirts I have as of now - 13 =)

Day 27: Journey

These photos in short sum up my AIESEC journey from August 2009 to June 2012. =)

Day 28: Something I Will Miss

The AIESEC Experience.

Day 29: Happiness

James and James. Taken at Precious Children's Home. =D

Happiness to me is putting a smile on another person's face which makes me happy and enjoying what I do. =)


Day 30: 2011/2012

Return to AIESEC on 1 July 2011 at AIESEC Taylor's Award Night and ending the term on 30 June 2012 at AIESEC Taylor's Award and Alumni Night. It has been an awesome term and looking forward to new things ahead! =)

That concludes the 30 photos for each day of AIESEC Photo A Day. You can look through Part 1 and Part 2 if you have not seen it yet.

Till then, have a great weekend ahead.

[AIESEC] AIESEC Photo A Day Part 2

Hey all.

Here is the second installment of AIESEC Photo A Day Part 2 with the next 10 themes. Enjoy. =)

Day 11: Something you found

A collection of AIESEC brochures. =)

Day 11: Teammates (Updated from the one posted on Facebook)

I am fortunate to work alongside these bunch of talented people in whichever team I am in! =)

[L-R clockwise: Project Management Team 11/12, Executive Board 10/11 and 11/12, Executive Board and Management Team 11/12, Strategic Initiatives 11/12, Talent Management Team 11/12 and 12/13, Executive Board 11/12 and 12/13, Talent Management 12/13, Outgoing Exchange Team 09/10 and Talent Management 12/13].

Day 12: How You Feel Today

Keeping cool before finals on 16 June 2012.

Day 12: Election

To watch people giving their speeches to convince you to have faith in them is one thing. Being the one that has to give a speech to convince the plenary on why they should have confidence in you to lead the organization is a whole new level. Be it physical (as seen in the picture) or virtual (which I experience a few months back), it's something you need to experience for yourself. Having watch others standing there to convince the plenary to have a leap of faith in them, it's truly inspiring. =)

Day 13: Reflection

It's always good to do a self reflection once in a while. To see how far you have progress or grown, whether what you are doing is leading you to or away from the goal that you want to achieve or whether to stay on or to move on. I'll probably figure out that last part soon.

Day 14: Conference

Conferences are just amazing. You get to meet a lot of people either from different local committees or from abroad, learn new things and for some to find back their motivation/inspiration in AIESEC.

My first one is still my most memorable one: Regional Leadership Development Seminar 2011 held in UNMC. There were a lot of first for me: first conference, first group, first time leading a square dance, first sugar cubes and a whole lot more. It was the springboard that brought me to greater heights. =)

Read more about this in my blog post, My First AIESEC conference.

Day 15: Inspiration

One of my main sources of inspiration and one of the reasons why I am still in AIESEC: people. =)

People inspire people. They inspire me and I inspire them and long may that cycle continue. =)

Day 16: Mentor

Mentors (L-R Clockwise: Yi Hong, Peg-gy, Kenny, Jasmin, Daniel, Elvina and Jared)

My first mentors in AIESEC (2009-2010). Yi Hong, Peg-gy, Kenny, Jared, Elvina and Daniel. Thanks for the guidance when I was in OGX. Miss the good old days. =)

Jasmin. Thanks for the guidance and transiting of knowledge when I took up the role of VP FA even though I did not manage to complete the term. =)

Hope to see all of you soon. Cheers! =)

Day 17: 12am

12am: Deadline time.
 
Day 18: Global Experience

Since being in AIESEC, I have met people from different countries and it's great to learn about their culture which is interesting and a real eye opener. When they come here to make an impact towards the society in your country, it makes me feel like experiencing it for myself.

Day 19: Eddie

Eddie, the AIESEC Mascot, as seen in the merchandises I have. Shirts, wristbands, keychain/mobile phone strap and badge.

Day 20: Something You're Grateful For

This picture was taken back in May 2011 during my first AIESEC Gathering ever since coming back from a long medical leave. I'm grateful to be alive and back in AIESEC. =)

Stay tuned for the final installement of AIESEC Photo A Day.

[AIESEC] AIESEC Photo A Day Part 1

Hey readers. 

This is my second blog post and this time it is about this photo campaign I did a few months back in June. The campaign is called 'AIESEC Photo A Day June', where throughout the whole month of June, a photo is posted up based on the theme of the day.

AIESEC Photo A Day June

It was meant for those who had Instagram but for those who did not have Instagram, they could post it on Facebook or on a blog. I did it on Facebook throughout the entire month of June, thinking of what picture to post up for that day's theme. Some were easy, some were difficult and some did not make any sense in my opinion. I shall relived each and every photo that was posted on to Facebook into this post starting with the first 10 themes. Enjoy! =)

Day 1: My AIESEC

LLDS May 2012

This photo sums up how far I have come in AIESEC. Since joining AIESEC back in August 2009, it's been a journey of ups and downs (including a year's absence as I was battling for my life to overcome a serious health problem)and the main reason why I'm still in AIESEC: people. I thank every single person I have met in AIESEC and all I can say, it's been a blast! =D

Day 2: Sugar Cubes

L-R: Sugar cubes from LLDS, RLDS and MyLDS

These are the sugar cubes that I have received at 3 conferences (or rather 2.1 as I could only make it for the last day of MyLDS 2012).

All these messages are just motivating and inspiring. ♥ I could read it all day long and it puts a smile on my face. The sugar cubes from RLDS and LLDS had one thing in common: dance. How did I get that in my sugar cubes? Stay tuned for that on Day 6 - Roll Call! =D

 Day 3: Leadership

During LC Simulation at RLDS 2011

Everyone has a different definition of leadership. Mine is inspire. A leader inspires his/her team to work together to achieve a common goal. What's yours? =)

This photo was taken during LC (Local Committee) Simulation at RLDS 2011 and I got the chance to be LCP (Local Committee President) of China for a day!

 Day 4: Someone Who Makes You Happy

Raymond (left) and me

Cheers for all the crazy things we have done together!
Loreal Brandstorm - due date for preliminaries and still busy typing in the car on the way to UKM and of course going all the way to semis
MyLDS 2012 (at least before I got sick)
RLDS 2012 - first and possibly last conference together
Your infectious laughter (including your evil laughter) just makes my day better! Thank you for that and all the best in your upcoming term. =D

 Day 5: Workplace

Doing work anywhere in Taylor's - library, 24/7 study area, computer lab, classrooms, commercial block (usually The V until it closed down) and more recently, the R&D centre.

(Picture taken at the 24/7 study area)

Day 6: Roll Call

Among all the days of the AIESEC A Photo A Day June, this is something that I look forward to. =) Roll call, be it the cheer type (eg. Hong Kong Roll Call, one of my personal favourites) or the dance type, is an energizer that re-energizes people when they are feeling tired especially during conferences and a way to connect with other AIESECers (if you know a roll call, chances are other AIESECers know as well).

Everytime I do a roll call, especially the dance type also known as square dance, I give it everything I got and I feel re-energize. =D I love it when people join in the fun as well. It's not about being the best dancer but it's more about being confident in yourself, being comfortable among your peers and most importantly, have fun! =D

I would have never though that doing square dances/roll calls would have inspire people which I experience during RLDS 2011 at UNMC (hence, most of my sugar cubes at RLDS or LLDS had the word dance [refer Day 2: sugar cube]). I have done square dances in my own LC but to do it in front of 200 delegates, it was totally out of this world!

Here are some FB comments or sugar cubes I got related to dance ♥.
"James Soo represent the whole RLDS as the square dance leader :D" Raymond Her (after RLDS)
Other than that, I've been called the square dance king/king of square dance. No comment there.

“I am very inspired by your enthusiasm during square dance. Respect and Salute.” Nic

"Keep dancing" Charlie

“I enjoy how you willingly took up the role in guiding everyone how to square dance.” Kelvin Yee

“I like how you took the initiative to dance in front of others! It’s amazing and makes the whole LC crazy." Wan Yu

“I love your energy when you dance! Keep it up!” Chooi Lin

“The Square Dance Guy!” Kevin Go

“Loved the energy you bring in dances, haha!” John Geronimo

“Your dancing skills extremely geng!” Anna

“I love your square dance moves and I would really love it if you can have a session with us to teach every single move to us” Hoe Yen
I will try to work on that. =)

These are some of the square dances/roll calls I know:
Roll Call/Square Dance: Mr. Q, Light Up The World, Green Light, Double Vision, Waka Waka (CEC version), Waving Flag, Go Girls, Cotton Eye Joe, I Like It Like That, Le Le, Xi Shua Shua, It’s The Time To Disco, My First Kiss, Upside Down, La Bomba, Life In The New Millennium, Sex Bomb, The Edge of Glory (AI 2011/2012 version), Such A Happy Day (MyLDS 2012 Faci version), Louder (MyLDS 2012 OC version and AIESEC Mongolia version), Ice Cream and Cake, Morto Muito Loco (aka Zombie Dance), Shake It, Tunak Tunak Tun, Lips Like Sugar, Judas, Everybody Talks, Now Or Never

It's one of the many things I like about AIESEC. ♥ =D

[Pictures L-R clockwise: Lips Like Sugar, Double Vision, La Bomba, Morto Muito Loco/Zombie Dance, Waving Flag, Bebot, Go Girls, Mr. Q & Green Light]

 Day 7: Shadow

1/7/2011 After being away due to health reasons and some thoughts about it, it was time to come out from my shadows and make my comeback.

[Taken during AIESEC Taylor's Award Night 2011 on 1 July, the day I decided to make my comeback. Credits to Daniel Ting]

 Day 8: Inside Your Organizer

 Name card and recognition of my performance. =)

Day 9: Before I Joined AIESEC

  

Someone who was outgoing among the quiet ones and quiet among the outgoing ones. Introvert, reserved and quiet. Like a rough diamond, had potential that needed to be polished and found the platform that allowed me to be who I am today.

Day 10: OMG!

Double The James, Double The Fun

The OMG yet awesome moment when another person has the same name as you. =)

Stay tuned for part 2.

[AIESEC] First AIESEC Conference

After a long hiatus, I am back blogging again. Well, there is this National Recruitment Blog Campaign organised by AIESEC Malaysia and the theme is 'My First...'. It got me thinking what are the firsts that I have done throughout the 3 years that I have been in AIESEC and one that really stood out in my AIESEC journey is my first AIESEC conference. In the AIESEC network, there are 470 conferences held annually and the thing about conferences is that it is the place where a person can find the inspiration to do well in AIESEC and in life. I was inspired by people in conferences and I managed to inspire people as well.

Despite being in AIESEC for 3 years, I have attended only 4 conferences and all these conferences took place in the same term, 2011-2012. These conferences included my first national conference, Malaysia Leadership Development Seminar (MyLDS) though it was only for a day, my first conference organised by my local committee, Taylor's University, which is Local Leadership Development Seminar (LLDS) and the LEAD Conference 2012 which was held on the last day of the term. 

Regional Leadership Development Seminar 2011 at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Regional-Leadership-Development-Seminar-2011/232034146844122

However, there is only 1 conference that has remains close to my heart and that conference was the first ever conference that I have ever attended. That conference is the Regional Leadership Development Seminar (RLDS) which was held from 28-30 October at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) in Semenyih, Selangor. It holds a lot of memories and it was one of the many highlights of a very successful term in AIESEC.

RLDS 2011

RLDS was co-organised between three local committees (LC) in the central region which are UNMC, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Delegates were not just from these 3 LCs but other LCs as well which includes Taylor's University (TU) (there were 14 of us), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and even a delegate from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). There were approximately 200 over delegates and 13 facilitators in this inaugural conference chaired by Jing Wen, the former former Local Committee President of UKM. 

LC TU Jumpshot

On the first day, was the opening plenary where the chair, the facilitators and the organising committee of the conference were introduce to the delegates present as well as a presentation of what the conference is about. After that, it was the ice breaking session where delegates got to know each other better. Moving on, the delegates were split into two tracks, junior track and senior track. In the senior track, we learn about first impressions and leadership style. Below is a picture of what impression that people had of me. We also formed teams for activities that will held throughout the conference and went on to be one of the 2 senior teams that won the night activity.

People's first impression of me.

During the evening plenary, we had another square dance session and a personal first for me which was leading the plenary square dance. If leading at least 20 people in my LC to a square dance is normal, imagine leading 200 delegates square dancing. It was unbelievable and it still give me the goosebumps every time I think about it. From there on, I led the square dance throughout the conference and it just got everyone dancing as well. This lead me to learn more than 20 different type of square dances and that number is rising. That's a rap for day 1.

Square Dancing to Green Light.

Another Square Dance, Double Vision.

On day 2, we learn about ineffective LC operations and how to improve on it, types of motivation and grooming the perfect leader. After lunch, the seniors were split into two more tracks, the senior members track and the Executive Board track. In the senior member track, we were sharing our AIESEC experience within ourselves and what are our future plans in AIESEC.

During the senior member track.

 The most interesting part of the day was the LC Simulation, where delegates experience and understand  how a LC functions. Each of the presidents were in charge of a country and I was the Local Committee President of China for that few hours. It was chaotic yet exciting as I had to guide and educate my team on what each department does and how does it function. At the same time, I learn more things about the LC and about myself.

LC Simulation with my team

Day 2 ended with a different sharing sessions. I attended the session which was conducted by &samhoud.

End of Day 2

On the final day of the conference, both juniors and seniors combined together for the I & The World session where we discuss about global issues happening around the world. I went to 2 sessions which were Achieve Universal Education and HIV/AIDS. From these sessions, we discuss about the topics that we were given and had to write it on a mahjong paper in which we had to present it in the plenary hall.

Presentation time.

 The last session of the day was back to separate tracks. In the senior track, the Member Committee of AIESEC Malaysia conducted a session on AIESEC 2015 and how we can create an impact to youths via the programmes available in AIESEC.

 At the end of the conference, we write each other sugar cubes, which are messages that motivates each other. Most of my sugar cubes were mainly about how I inspire some of the delegate through dance and I feel touch that I could inspire people just by dancing. We also had a sharing session where delegates were given a chance to go on stage to share their experience. I went on stage and did that which is something I am proud of and was actually overwhelmed by the overall experience at RLDS.

Sharing during the closing plenary.

Took a group photo at the end of the conference and exchange contacts with other delegates. I kept in touch with most if not all of the delegates as I met them at other AIESEC events and conferences.

Group photo at the end of RLDS.
"Today is where your begins"

And that was my first AIESEC conference. This is just one of the many experiences that I have gain in AIESEC.