[GCDP] Padang, Day 44 to Day 48

Day 44

On a day where I had to decide on where to go: weekend trip with my fellow interns, going to UNAND for the graduation ceremony of a few AIESEC alumni or supporting the launch of Minang Explorer. In the end, I decided to go with the third option.

Had breakfast with Meiki and his parents at a nearby stall not far from the house. I was even given the chance to drive their car from the house to the stall. At least I can say that I have drove an SUV and driven it in Padang though it's a short distance.

After that, I was drop off at the HW Hotel (the same hotel for GLS) and went to the hall where the launch took place. Met up with some AIESECers and got my coat back from Teguh, who found it on the bus after the GLS post tour. Highlight of the day: picture with Ms Universe Indonesia, Whulandary Herman.

With Ms Universe Indonesia, Ms Whulandary Herman

After the event, went for lunch with Ilma and Vini at Sareobi Bandung before Ilma's mum drop me off at a place where I can take an angkot back home.

Wefie with AIESEC UNAND Management Team

Just stay at home for the rest of the day while doing my video for my farewell party in a few days time.

Day 45
It was a day where relatives of my host family came from Bukittinggi, stayed for lunch and dinner and spend time with my host parents. Highlight of the day: the family photo taken together with the relatives and Syuja. =)

Day 46

My last day teaching at the orphanage. It was also Nikki's last day in Padang. Had a karaoke session with my fellow interns and Nikki before heading to the orphanage.

Went to J.Co with Angela to buy doughnuts for my farewell party. Gave them a speech where hopefully I will come back to Padang and hopefully their English will be much better when I first arrive in Padang. Some of them have a lot of improvement, just need some encouragement and hard work to speak better English. 

Will miss this place and the students.

Group picture with the students, Angela(top left)
and Ella (in pink, second row)

Day 47

My last day in Padang. Finalize my video before leaving home to head to the AIESEC office. Decided to do things that I have yet to do since being in Padang such as taking the bendi, traditional horse cart. Though it is more expensive than taking the angkut and taxi, it was for the experience.

Took the bendi from Pasaraya to Jati

Was at the AIESEC office early to relax and to make final adjustments to the video.

The moment everyone has waited for. The welcome party for Minang Explorer and the farewell party for WIFU project. At that time, felt emotional especially watching the video (doing the video was difficult too) given the people in the room and the atmosphere. Gave a speech on my experience in Padang. Got sugarcubes too from the UNAND AIESECers and fellow interns.

After that, it was time for photo sessions and exchange of well wishes. Even got my helmet signed too!

With my certificates: being a faci for GLS and being an EP for WIFU Project

Had dinner at Bagan before taking an angkot back to Bandar Buat via Pasaraya with my fellow Bandar Buat neighbour, Maged. Being cramped together with 16 passengers and 1 driver makes it an uncomfortable yet memorable experience.

After that, we wish each other farewell and see you soon before heading back to our respective homes.

It was time to pack up, read the sugarcubes and get some rest.

Day 48

It's the day. Got a call from the taxi driver who came to the house earlier than expected to ensure that I do not miss my flight. Woke my host parents up to tell them that I am leaving to the airport. Said goodbye and well wishes to them, thank them for taking care of me and apologise if I had made any mistakes before going to the airport.

Was doing some major reflection on the way to the airport. Reflecting from the first day that I arrive in Padang, the friends that I meet along the way, the children who I taught at the orphanage, the AIESECers who make sure I had the experience of a lifetime, my host brother who was like my own brother even though he has to travel back and forth from Malaysia and my host family who treat me like their own child. 

Met Ilma at the airport who have got me my GLS wristbands. Also met Abin, who was traveling to Thailand via Malaysia with her friends and we were on the same flight.

After about an hour flight, I finally reach the airport and was greeted by my dad. Went home to see my mum before going for our first meal together since coming back and what better way to have a meal by having chicken rice with char siew and siew yoke (both are roast pork meat). Great to be back home.

After lunch, drop by Taylor's to catch up with friends and visit the AIESEC booth before calling it a day.

It has been an amazing 47 days in Padang and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Life after GCDP and AIESEC

Been working with a startup that does financial comparison. AIESEC wise, going for events and activities when possible and facilitating conferences.

Met up with some friends who were in Padang when they came to Kuala Lumpur: Safwan, Carol and Maged.

If you are reading this and plan to go for exchange, I would say go for it and experience a difference culture while making a difference to the community you are in.

If you want to read my other posts you can click the link on the posts below:

Day 1 & 2 | Day 3 & 4 | Day 5 & 6 | Day 7 & 8 | Day 9 & 10

Day 11 & 12 | Day 13 & 14 | Day 15 & 16 | Day 17 | Day 18 to 23 | 

Day 24 to 26 | Day 27 & 28 | Day 29 to 34 | Day 35 to Day 38 | Day 39 to Day 43

That's all about my GCDP experience in Padang. To know more in detail, just contact me. 

Ending this post with a video I created for my farewell party. Till then, have a great day!

[GCDP] Padang, Day 39 to Day 43

Day 39

GLS has ended and it was time for faci team trip to Bukittinggi. 6 of us, Alaa, Aldo, Icha, Dea, Bina and me, hired a car plus driver to take us to Bukittinggi. After about close to 4 hours, we arrive and we met with Icha's dad before heading to a store for a bowl of bakso (meatball) noodles.

After that, we walk up to the clock tower while passing by a parade held by a school in conjunction with Indonesia's National Day. Went shopping for souvenirs and it started raining heavily. Once it has subside, we went to the Japanese tunnel. Once going in, I decided that I needed to leave as I had promise to be back in the orphanage to teach but more importantly, it was also the last day for Joy and Sebastian. It was also Alaa's last day in Padang. We took a group photo and I left with Aldo to find Icha's dad, grab our stuff and find a car that would take us back to Padang A.S.A.P.

Group photo at Lobang Jepang on Alaa's last day

Once in the car, we were on our back to Padang. My heart was beating fast as every minute passes by. Manage to call and message my teaching partners to stay there as I was on my way back. Once I have arrived in Padang, particularly in Lubeg, I ran to the orphanage and into the classroom. Manage to catch up and pass the souvenirs I have got for them from Bukittinggi. It was an emotional time and sometimes, goodbyes are the hardest things to say. It is never goodbye as we will meet each other, one day in some part of the world.

If you are reading this, I just want to say thank you and it's a privilege to be able to teach alongside the 3 of you and thousand apologies for any mistakes I have made and particularly on the day I was suppose to be back at the orphanage on your farewell but hey, things happen and it was better late than never.

With my fellow teachers
L-R: Juri, me, Joy and Sebastian

After coming back home, I went in the room with a heavy heart especially with all the farewells in the day. It was also a realization that there will be many more farewells in the week to come and soon, it will be my turn to leave Padang.

Day 40

It was back to teaching after being away for 3 weeks due to the Idul Fitri break and GLS. Schedule has now change which meant coming at 4pm for the next few days. Taught the students about verbs and took lots of photos with them. Got a gift from Dina and even though it was a simple gift, it came from the heart and it taught/reminded me that its the thought that counts. 

One of the many wefie with the students

After class, it was time to meet up with the AIESECers in Pondok for dinner and Bina's farewell. Eat, talk, laugh and take photos. 

Another day, another farewell.

Day 41
Went for karaoke at lunch since a number of us were leaving soon and we just sang our hearts out. After karaoke, it was time for the photo booth.

At the orphanage, it was a mixture of both things: welcoming Angela, my new teaching partner and Juri's farewell.

With the students, Angela (on the left) and Juri (on the right)

Day 42

Went to Basko Mall with Meiki and met up with Moniq for lunch at Pizza Hut before going to the arcades. Karaoke and getting a whole lot of tickets. A lot of tickets from games and machine that allows you to win a lot of tickets.

It was a fun day out before heading to the orphanage to teach alongside Angela.

A day at the arcade with those tickets

Taught for an hour before heading to the Jati for the farewell party of most of my fellow interns who were leaving the next day onwards. Pictures, hugs and well wishes to those I have met since starting my internship.

After the farewell party, it was time for another GLS faci and CC dinner and another farewell, this time for Dea.

Day 43

At the AIESEC office for Nikki's farewell and the welcome party for the new interns of the Minang Explorer.

[GCDP] Padang, Day 35 to Day 38 (Global Lead Summit 2014)

Day 35

After almost a week of preparations for the faci team and months of preparation for the Congress Committee, the day has finally arrived. Global Lead Summit 2014 in Padang, Indonesia.

        

Papa gave Alaa and I a lift to the Gabenor's office but it was actually the Gabenor's house which was just across the road. Once we got there, we mingle the delegates who were in the hall. Met the Malaysian delegates who were there and it was nice to see my fellow Malaysians after being in Padang for almost a month. Not long after, the opening ceremony begins with speeches from Nikos, CCP of GLS, Heru, LCP of AIESEC UNAND and the guest of honour, Mr Syafruddin Aissten II, a representative of the West Sumatra Province government and it was followed by the traditional dance.

After that, it was the introduction of the CC team for GLS and followed by the press conference. It is my first time being in a press conference where the local media ask questions about the conference, AIESEC and wanting to know the facilitating team more. Spoke in both English and Bahasa during the press conference and it was fun talking to the media.

Answering questions from the local media

Online article of GLS

Once the press conference was over, it was time to head to the hotel to start preparation for the beginning of GLS.

The faci team and agenda sisters ready to rock GLS!

Lunch has passed by and a final dry run, it was time for the conference to start. The delegates enter the hall and the faci team was introduced to the plenary. We did a performance to kick start GLS.

Started with expectation settings and followed by the first 3 sessions of the day: Leadership Journey, The Power of Influence and Leadership Styles.

After that, we had a gala dinner and Padang cultural night where we witness more traditional performances by the performers in Padang such as Tarian Piring (Plate Dance).

Malaysians at GLS - faci and delegates

Once the dinner was over, the delegates were thrown a challenge which they need to solve over the duration of the conference. After that, post mortem to discuss what was good and what could be improved for day 2. For me, I felt I could have done better and got the feedback and support required to make day 2 better. End of Day 1 of GLS.

Day 36

Day 2 of GLS 2014. We started the day with some roll calls and punishment before the first session on day 2, the World Youth Leadership Panel with our guest panelist.

 

After the panel, we had Self Assessment Block, followed by Personal Branding and Mastering Public Speaking. Met up with Kana and Louis in the morning whom I have not met since being involved in the conference. After dinner, we had Leadpreneur and to transition from Leadpreneur session to Global Top Leaders team discussion, Dea and I did a random sketch and end up doing a selfie with everyone in the hall. Probably my biggest wefie to date.

My biggest wefie to date with the GLS facis, delegates and CC

After that, we prepared for the mask party and team performance. The CC team, facis and the Management Team of AIESEC UNAND perform for the delegates. It was also the time to interact and bond with the CC team, faci team and delegates.

Doing Subha Hone Na De with the Faci Team

Ended the night with some karaoke and photo sessions. Got to meet up with some of my fellow interns, Ji Eun, Ahmad and Anil who was leaving the next day.

In terms of faci performance, it went from bad to worse and again needed some pep talk to ensure it ends with a bang on the final day. Day 2 of GLS over.

Day 37

Final day of GLS. Started with the morning plenary, more dance, roll calls and punishment. We had the company presentation on Leadership Empowerment and followed by 2 back to back sessions: Leadership to Society and Secret Behind Team Management. Did so much better than the previous 2 days and it was all down to practice, self confidence and being myself.

Build the Tallest Tower

After lunch, it was time for the Amazing Race. The delegates ran to stations located outside the hotel to take challenges and collect clues to win the race. Had a selfie with all the groups after completing their challenge.

With the yellow team at the sculling booth.

After we are done with Amazing Race, it was time for Global Village where everyone wore their traditional costume and set up booths promoting their country. Wore a Malaysian football jersey (wanted to be different) and sang Tanggal 31 with Ace, Fatin and Guma since Malaysia's Independence Day (31 August) was not too far away.

After that, every country and province from all over Indonesia took to the stage and perform.

Malaysia and Egypt

GLS in their national attire

After Global Village, it was time for Bring Back Home to recap what the delegates have learn through out the conference and make a pledge on what they will do after the conference. After that, it was the Closing Plenary to wrap up the conference follwed by picture time and appreciating the people around.

Final round of post mortem and appreciation all around to the faci team and CC team. Job well done to everyone!

Day 38

Done with the conference. What's next? GLS Post Tour!

Took a bus to the beach before taking a boat ride to Pagang and Sikuai Island.

Pagang Island

Did some snorkeling and banana boat on Pagang and Sikuai respectively though both resulted in having scratches during snorkeling and almost drifting to sea after falling off the banana boat. The trip had to end earlier as one of the delegates step on a sea urchin. It was a long tiring day and after reaching back the mainland, we got back to the hotel and change to more comfortable clothes.

Had our GLS faci team dinner (missing our chair, Gatot) and just talk and take pictures. After that, it was time to head to separate ways, probably the sad part after the conference has ends (the start of post conference syndrome).

Dinner after GLS Post Tour

After dinner, it was time to head home to rest and back with my host family. It was a crazy past 2 weeks from preparing the conference to having the conference and ending it with a post tour. My first conference outside of Malaysia as a facilitator which I will remember for a long time.

[GCDP] Padang, Day 29 to Day 34

Day 29

Finally, the full faci team have assembled! Alaa, LCVP PR & Marketing from AIESEC AAST, Egypt arrive in Padang and we had lunch with both the faci team, agenda managers and almost the entire CC team to know each other better. 

Besides that, we had expectation settings between the faci team and CC. After lunch, the faci team and the agenda managers head to Nunos Cafe where we got to know each other better and after that, get down to business. Facis discuss on their sessions with their respective co-facis before calling it a day.

Have a new roommate for the next few days as Alaa will be staying with me until the start of GLS 2014.

Day 30
Another day of pre-meet. Working on our session outlines and finishing it before heading back home.

One of the many late nights on the way home after pre-meet.

Day 31

It's a Sunday and it's also the wedding of one of the alumnus of AIESEC UNAND. Went to the AIESEC office and met with some of the AIESECers who are also attending the wedding. Along the way it started raining and we had to stop at a shop for shelter before waiting for the rain to subside. Once it became better, we continue our journey to UNP (Universitas Negeri Padang) where the wedding was held.

Met up with my fellow EPs whom I had not seen for quite sometime as I was preparing for the conference. We enter the hall once it alright to do so. It's my first time attending a traditional wedding since being in Padang. The performance was interesting yet amazing particularly the tarian piring or plate dance, where the dancers dance with the plates before throwing it to the ground and dancing on the broken plates.

Plate dance or Tarian Piring

We ate different kinds of Indonesian food and take pictures including a picture with the bride and groom. After that, we head back to Ilma's house to continue working on the slides.

AIESECers from Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Egypt and Indonesia

At night, we had dry run on our sessions and got feedback on what needs to be improved on our slides. Slept overnight at Ilma's house with the other facis.

Day 32

Woke up early to finish up the slides and went with Aldo looking for some food. Had CFC for breakfast and went back to the house to get our stuff. Submitted the slides before heading back home.

The cats, Katty (top) and Cipus

Since the slides were more or less done, I had some plans to go to the orphanage to visit the children as I had not visited them since being involved with GLS. Unfortunately, things did not turn out as plan.

Mama went out which meant Alaa and I had to wait for quite sometime, at least 30 minutes before Mama came home. In that meantime, we roam around the neighbourhood or play with the cats.

About an hour later, when I was about to leave the house to go to the orphanage, it started to rain. Was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to go to the orphanage. On the plus side, I get to have more rest and continued preparing for GLS.

Day 33

Team trip. Had our team outing to Alahan Panjang, Solok to visit the tea plantation and Lake Maninjau. We also went to record our faci intro video for GLS at the tea plantation. It was an awesome background for the video and the tea plantation reminded me of Cameron Highlands.

At Lake Maninjau, it was very cold and when it started raining, it just got colder. In between all that, we had some instant noodles and hot drinks to keep us warm before heading back to the car to head back home. Stop by for more food and some durian on the way to the hotel.

GLS 2014 Faci Team
First row L-R: Alaa, Dea, Gatot
Second row L-R: Bina, yours truly, Aldo

We arrived at the hotel about 7:30pm where the conference will be held for 3 days. We did our faci performance in the hall which includes a lot of laughter which meant that we need to practice more and perform without laughing (internal joke among the facis). After taking a look at the venue, we headed for dinner where it was a get to know each other between faci team, CC and Management Board of AIESEC Unand.

Had a great dinner before going back home to call it a day.

Day 34

Final day of pre-meet. Went with Alaa, Aldo and Icha to Ayii's house to finalize the slides and dry run sessions before the inaugural Global Lead Summit 2014.

On the way to Ayii's house.

Stayed until quite late before coming back home to get some much needed rest before the conference begins.

[GCDP] Padang, Day 27 & Day 28

Day 27

It's showtime. The day has come after 3 days of practicing to showcase the traditional Minangkabau dance known as Tari Pasambahan to the new students as part of the freshie orientation and to promote AIESEC in UNAND.

Went with Max and Kevin who stayed overnight at my place for the 2nd day in a row to UNAND. We went there by ojek and even though I told them to drop us at the bus stop, they took us directly to UNAND via the back gate and arrive earlier than the others. Still, it was a nice experience.

With my latest AIESEC shirt

We practice the dance and listen to the music to know the rhythm and beat. We also changed into traditional Minangkabau clothes.

The guys with our coach, Agung

 Taking pictures in our traditional costume before heading to the hall to stand by.

Even did a video before we performed.

 After that, it was showtime! Although our moves weren't perfect, it was awesome to perform in front of over 4000 new students. Head for lunch before helping out with promotion.

Exchange of AIESEC shirts - AIESEC in UNAND and AIESEC in Malaysia

Met with Icha and Ayii, part of the CC team for GLS after talking to them especially Icha virtually.

After that, we headed to another building. I went to the other AIESEC office in the campus. Hang around for a while before meeting with Afdhal.

We went to visit Joy who was still recovering from eye infection. Stayed around and talk to her host family before going to Afdhal's house to have dinner. Had dinner together with Safwan.

After that, Afdhal sent me home together with Safwan coming along as it was getting late. Thanks Afdhal! Reach back home and read through some articles.

Hours later after the dance, Ahmad, a fellow EP from Egypt share the link regarding our performance and it was an awesome feeling as how often does one appear in an online news portal abroad.

Article link: http://ranahberita.com/21483/galeri-foto-anggunnya-mahasiswa-bule-berbalut-busana-tradisional-minangkabau/

Before going to sleep, Meiki called as he witness an accident but I'm glad that he his safe. After that, it was time to hit the sack.

Day 28

Was picked up from home by Eko to meet with Icha and later with Cu In to go to the airport to pick up the facis and chair for GLS apart from Alaa who will be arriving the next day.

Met up with Dea, Bina, Aldo and Gatot at the airport before heading to Ayii's house. We had a rest and lunch before starting our first meeting. We got to know each other and set expectation settings before taking another rest or working on our sessions. Icha and Ayii bought satay for everyone.

Ilma came over and pick everyone except Bina who was staying over with Ayii back to their respective host families. We stop by the AIESEC office before dropping me home. Had dinner and look through the session outline before going to sleep earlier than expected. Exhausted and tired but a great day.