Peru, Peru,...

Bewitched by the charm of the Vietnamese people, I have come back from a trip that certainly has changed my way of seeing our little big world. So good impressions and experiences accompany my memories in the suitcase on the way home. I'm shocked of the harmony of its people and the respect for their culture and traditions. I have walked through their parks and lakes without getting bored for not even a minute. The positive energy that one breaths there is incredible. Definitely a beautiful experience I will never forget.

 

Beatriz from Peru

Another story from China

"China is much more than the country of the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, or the world famous Chinese food. There are many things to know and curiosities that made my trip an extraordinary experience. The Chinese are very reserved people, so that sometimes they appear to be angry, but at the same time, they are extremely polite and helpful people, who like to offer visitors a warm welcome.The Chinese people are full of superstitions and traditions, and it is very interesting to discover them while you are there. China brings a range of new features to a culture so different from the west. It´s a very special trip for those who are looking for a gateaway to learn new costums. If you have the possibility to go, don´t miss it."

Carlos was in China

Norwegian fjords

In summer 2010 I found myself in middle of the famous Norwegian fjords. During two months this beautiful skandinavian country was my home. By living and working in a hotel I had the chance to dive into the culture, explore Norway and work in an international team.  I gained not only precious experience but also lifelong friends. 

Ursina Roffler, Stranda 2010 (Norway)

Nepal!

 During my stay in Nepal I experienced and learned how to communicate without language. I think,  I could give the kids more attention than I ever could give them with words. We communicated with hands and feet, with smiles. We laught together, did homework and played outside in the yard.  We understood each other without words. - A lifetime experience. 

Ursina Roffler, Kathmandu 2011 (Nepal)

Another incredible experience from Russia

Two years ago, I had the chance to take part in a volunteering project in Moscow.

During this time, I lived with a host family. The family was really nice to me. Furthermore, they took me to a lot of places, such as their own summer house, several places in Moscow, to St. Petersburg and a few villages around the capital of the Russian Federation. This was a great experience of my summer in 2010.

The second one was a volunteering venture. Its aim was to make high school students familiar with the MDG´s of the United Nations. The team consisted of young adults from Switzerland, Bulgaria, Portugal, Poland and Germany. I really enjoyed being a part of this team. Everyone was really nice, motivated and smart. Even though we had five different nationalities and different points of view on certain topics in the team, the collaboration worked very well.

Moreover, it was amazing to work with these high school students. They were really motivated, focused, kind and grateful.

Furthermore, I had the opportunity to improve my language skills.

Even though two years have already passed by, I am still amazed by the great time I had during this summer.

Franziska from Basel

An adventure in Russia

  In Saint Petersburg, Russia I'd run out of money and needed a few rubles to pick up gifts for people back home.  No problem, I just headed to the bank across from the hostel.  I was actually eager to try out the brand new bank card I'd finally received after getting set up with a bank account in Switzerland where I was working for the year.  So I put in the card and, hey, they have an option of English service!  Excellent!  So I hit that and put in my pin... and it switches back to Russian.  OK, so I try to figure out how to withdraw money based on pictures... all of which looked like a map of the earth for some reason that still escapes me.  After aimlessly pressing a bunch of buttons that didn't lead me anywhere that resembled amounts of cash to withdraw, I try another option.  The machine starts flashing red and a small alarm is going off.  Uh-oh.  Fortunately no one is around, except my almost equally non-Russian speaking friend.  He helpfully points out that this exact same thing happened to him.  And then the machine never gave him his card back.  And so indeed the machine had eaten my brand new card that I'd waited months to receive.   We were leaving before we'd have a chance to ask at the branch for the card back, I called my bank internationally the next day on our way out of town to cancel the card before some clever individual used it along with the PIN I'd given the machine to siphon off all my travel savings.  Fortunately there were no problems there, and beyond a few borrowed rubles here and there I made it back to Switzerland no problem.  I laughed it off, making a few jokes here and there about crime and banking practices in Russia, and didn't think more more about it.  About a month later, sharing travel stories with friends, I discovered that to make sure people don't forget their cards and leave them hanging out of the machine for the next person to steal, Russian bank machines require you to press a button to eject your card at the end of the transaction. They usually make a beeping to remind you to do so.  Otherwise they hold your card in safe keeping to make sure that you don't lose it or risk having any money stolen.  Oops.

Peter from Canada is working on national level for AIESEC.

Daniel Kaluza's weird moment...

.. this moment, when you make fun in European style, but Japanese tourist line up to take your pictures.