The response I received when I first told my friends and family that I was going to Pakistan to work for AIESEC for 2 months was a loud
"WHAT???!", followed closely by
"please don't get blown up."Such was the image I came to Pakistan with.
The Pakistan I have experienced is nothing like what I imagined.
(Kids playing with fire - Old City, Lahore)Since arriving in Pakistan 2 months ago for my MC CEED (Cultural Envoy for Exchange Development), I've been through a whirlwind of experiences and emotions. Every day I am met with a new challenge; whether it's trying to explain to a rickshaw-wallah in broken Urdu that I want to go to Saddar (
"Salaam alekum. Saddar? Kitne ga?") and bargaining down to a reasonable price, working with AIESEC members across the country to introduce issue-based experiences, to adapting my working and communication style to a completely different culture.
My first experience with AIESEC in Pakistan was at the National Youth Development Seminar, at which I was fortunate enough to be a facilitator. I had incredible conversations with members around the status of women in Islam, climate change, and how we as youth can address the issues our world faces. These discussions only reinforced my view that there are incredible people all around the world who are passionate about having a positive impact - and I am now even more certain that AIESEC is
THE platform to equip youth to achieve that.
(NYDS 2007 delegation)
(Discussions at NYDS 2007)Working for AIESEC and experiencing Pakistan has also allowed me to push my own boundaries far further than I ever dreamed. I have been inspired and demotivated, reflected on the way I communicate with people, and re-evaluated why I am in AIESEC, its relevance, and where I want to go.
(Hanging out with the LC - Islamabad)There is no greater need for the people that AIESEC develops than here in Pakistan - a country that has been labelled as
"the most dangerous country on Earth" and a
"failed state". What is missing from the coverage you see overseas is the incredible work going on to make Pakistan better - organisations building the economy and providing necessary products and services, NGOs working to address environmental issues, poverty, education, disability, among many others. Behind all of this work are people, 160 million of them, with differing living conditions, levels of education, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, who are working to make their country better. There is a real need for positive, responsible leadership in a country like this - people who will work in diverse fields and sectors, who exhibit integrity and will stand up for what is right.
The knowledge that I have contributed in some small way to developing leadership in this country is something that I will treasure.
To say my image of Pakistan has changed would be an understatement. Being here has given me incredible experiences that I will cherish my whole life, and will be intrinsically connected to this wonderful, vibrant country and its people. Being here has enabled me to see through the reputation Pakistan has developed, to not only see a country that is diverse in culture, ethnicity and religion, but to respect and understand it.
سَب کُچھ کے لِیے شُکرِیا, AIESEC Pakistan.
Sab kuch ke liye, AIESEC Pakistan."Thankyou for everything, AIESEC Pakistan."
(Chai-wallah - Regal Chowk, Lahore)
(Sufi chanting - Lahore)
(Badshahi Masjid - Lahore)
(Aun, Sohaib and Taha - Gizri, Karachi)Labels: Australia, CEED, Experience Pakistan
