In broad usage there is the term of global citizenship or usually the phrase “I am a global citizen” which means that a person can place his/her identity with a “global community”.
As an idea or as social movements such as the “World Citizen” movement sounds really interesting but how can we transfer this idea-movement to one of our real characteristics and values?
The answer is really easy and interesting, volunteering abroad and this can be succeeded by AIESEC.
Being a volunteer is a really important and responsible position which can offer you unique experiences. Volunteer abroad is about challenging yourself to do something outside your comfort zone. Experience living and working abroad with cross-cultural teams and families. The experiences range from 6 weeks to 18 months. While they are generally non-paid opportunities, you often receive stipends and basic support services like food and accommodations.
Except of the most informative part of this article, it is interesting to learn about volunteering in other countries from Greek students that they grabbed the chance and changed their lives.
As a member in AIESEC AUTH wasn’t difficult to find one of those students who took the opportunity of “becoming global citizens” for 6-8 weeks and that’s why I interviewed an amazing AIESECer, Irene Papagiannidou.
Last summer, Irene went to Egypt for 8 weeks and as she said “It was the best and strongest experience of my life”. But who is Irene Papagiannidou and how did she decide to go to a Global Citizen program?
Irene is a 22-year-old “future” Mathematician who joined AIESEC 2 years ago. She fell in love with helping youth people to develop themselves through the organization of AIESEC and she wanted to contribute through her work not only to Thessaloniki’s society but also to another country’s society.
A boring evening of April 2016, Irene discovered a great volunteering opportunity in Egypt and in a few hours she applied for the program. She would work for 8 weeks in a school in Cairo in order to teach English to young children.
As she stated in our short conversation “every young person needs to do that before his/her graduation as it is an experience totally different from any other”. You are challenged every day as you are in a different country, a different culture and you need to face yourself, your limits and be adaptable of any change.
Irene also told me that all these challenges and differences that you will face, makes you understand that nothing is a fact, you are not in your comfort zone. You will appreciate your way of living, the opportunities that you have and generally the importance of not need to find “basic” in our minds things as water, food and clothes daily in order to survive.
You will also see new locations, customs, traditions, ideas and people so your eyes and your mind will open, see clearly what’s going on around you and realize who you are and what you want.
Briefly, without many details is the story of Irene and be sure that there are thousands stories like Irene’s so don’t be afraid as “The change starts in you”.
How can I become a world citizen?