Since the beginning of my studies in Industrial Engineering & Management, I had the ambition to get international exposure and work on projects related to development aid. Having finished my bachelor-assignment already in the Netherlands, joining a development internship of AIESEC seemed to be the best solution in order to achieve both aspirations at the same time.
 
Together with three members from India and Malaysia, we organized lectures and discussions in high-schools concerning two main topics, Cultural Differences and Sustainable Development.
During a stay of two months, we visited several high-schools and taught senior, junior, sophomore levels abouton  these issues. Of course, every day various other related issues also came up, and we had to discuss and respond to these as well.
 
Regarding the cultural issues, we discussed the role of women, the education system, HIV/AIDS, industrialization and poverty during our sustainable development sessions. It was a very interesting experience to stand in front of the class-room and talk with the local students and at the same time to get to know their culture and mindset as well. 
 
Besides the more serious part, the first thing which comes up in my memory when I am looking back at the project, is gaining understanding about another culture in a very comfortable and amusing way.

 

This project was especially all about getting to know and experience a foreign culture, and a new set of habits and thoughts. Accordingly I did lots of activities together with my project team; ice-skating at the top floor of Asian’s largest shopping mall, going to Peking-opera, visiting gardens and temples, clubbing on top of a hotel with view on the skyline, etc.
 
Moreover, traveling contributed a lot to my experience and understanding of the Chinese culture. Places of interest you must visit are Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Xi’an.
 
Herewith,
thanks AIESEC,
Indeed for this
Life changing experience!!

Mark van der Hoorn
The Netherlands