Santa Claus meets AEGEE25 participants in Lublin!

On 3th of Dec 2010 10 brave participants from 4 country who were not afraid of polish winter and came to snowy pearl of East Poland - Lublin to celebrate 25th Birthday. On opening ceremony except the introduction to AEGEE we were talking about its history. "Get caught in a net of cultural diversity" was the main topic of this event, so we started to get knowing other cultures with European Night in polish style - at flat - in home conditions :)

I don't mention about first party which lasted till dawn. Because of it next morning was really challenged for all of us -we coped with it and after short city tour we took part in very interesting workshop "Building a multinational team via the Internet" lead by former NetComissioner - Marek Urban.

Another day - another workshop. This time participants got know about "Interpersonal skills in a multicultural background". Everybody was interested in how to act effectively and to communicate in the multicultural environment like organizing aegee project! When workshop finished Artur from AEGEE-Warszawa made performance and our birthday guests after this short lesson tried their skills in ... jugglery! In the morning, city games helped all participants to get to know a lot of mysterious legends and at evening we showed beauty of Lublin by night.

On the last day participants could take some breath to join in winter activities like snow fights or sleigh riding! This day was special Saint Nicholas Day in Poland, so before starting of birthday party Santa Claus came to us and gave a lot of gifts - sweet candies and shirts of AEGEE25!

Yes, AEGEE-25 participants really got caught in a net of cultural diversity after this wonderful 5days!

-Michał Sznajder- AEGEE25 in Lublin organizer

What happened at "Looking for the Slavic World"

At the end of misty November, 23 participants, four workshop leaders and countless organizers from 16 countries (of those 8 Slavic speaking) came together to talk about countries united by the Slavic heritage and to get to know more about each other.

AEGEE people celebrated the International Day of Students and commemorated the 71th anniversary of Prague events leading to its declaration, as well as the day of restoration of Czechoslovak democracy, and remembered the autumn's Eurupean Day of Languages.

During the workshops participants found out, that it is very hard to define Slavic identity, as it has many aspects, such as genetic, linguistic, cultural, territorial and others. There are rather no typical looks either.

On the other hand, it was a big surprise that the languages are much more similar than one would think before. Native speakers got confidence to use the mother tongue abroad more and participants from other countries lost their prejudices about difficulty of the Slavic languages got encouraged to become polyglotic.

An important conclusion was, that culturally are the Slavic countries very different and various, and instead of having much in common, they are more similar to their respective neighbours in Central and Southern Europe and the Balkans. There has been and interesting deep-going case study research performed as well (www.aegee-praha.cz/slavicworld).

From the political point of view, the participants agreed on a fact that the countries have a lot to learn from each other about both good and bad experiences, because the story of building and falling of the common states is actually a paraphrase of European integration in general, and therefore an important source to learn.

Event was full of positive energy and people enjoyed the time in Czech capital a lot, and in the end it was topped with a glamorous AEGEE-25 birthday party – with streams of champagne and unforgettable moments, celebrating the new age of the organisation.

The general conclusion of the event was, that being Slavic is not a nationality, but a lifestyle!

The organizers hope that this topic about an unique European phenomenon will continue within following projects and events of AEGEE and are ready to pass on the good experience.


Jan Halamíček
Main Coordinator
jan.halamicek@aegee-praha.cz

And the winner is....

Hello all!!!
On behalf of AEGEE25 project team it's a pleasure for me to announce that Miss Diana Yolova ,is the winner of the contest "Some call it Europe, We call it Home!", with her entry "AEGEE IS LOVE" : not only she got the votes of AEGEE members for the contest, but she proved once again her neverending love for our association, her enthusiasm and commitment, that inspired and continues to inspire us and we hope all the AEGEE Network!

We want to thank her for having participated at the AEGEE25 photo contest, and having spread her AEGEE spirit all around with creativity and joy!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Diana!!!

with love,
AEGEE25 Team

AEGEE25 & AEGEE-Lublin:Get Caught in a Net of Cultural Diversity!-Applications OPEN!

Hi!

Have you ever heard about presenting the relations between the individuals in a society as a net? Have you ever heard of a culture net? If yes, that's very good! If not... well, maybe it's high time to join the group who knows what is it about!

AEGEE-Lublin is proudly presenting the "AEGEE 25-Lublin: Get caught in a net of cultural diversity!!!" event, which will be hosted in Lublin between 3rd and 7th Dec. During these days a gruop of 20 young participants from all over the Europe will spend 5 intensive days taking a part in such workshops as "Interpersonal skills in a multicultural background" or "Building a multinational team via the Internet", during which they will learn what a net of cultural diversity is and how to work in such a net as well as how to use it for your own good.

Apart from the workshops, lots of other attractions await - city gaming, sleigh riding, snow fighting, and of course parties, with the most important one - the BIRTHDAY PARTY!! :)

So don't wait and send this message to all the members of your antenna!!!

Applications start 19 of October!! You don't want to miss it!!! :)

Also, check out our website: http://www.aegee25-lublin.pl/
And our video: http://vimeo.com/15877468, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdoTUna1O0E
And join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=111577038899134


If you have any questions write: aegee25.lublin@gmail.com

Hope to see you soon!!!

Coordinators of AEGEE25-Lublin

Luiza Skrzypczyk
luizaskrzypczyk@gmail.com

Magda Hanys
magda.hanys@gmail.com

AEGEE25 & AEGEE-Praha: Looking for the Slavic World - Applications OPEN!

Hey AEGEE people!

The applications for the long awaited event in Prague are running!

= Looking for the Slavic World =
Prague, 17.-21. November 2010
AEGEE 25 Project Anniversary Event

They might be your AEGEE friends, your neighbours...go and get to know more about the Slavic people, their culture, history and countries today! Learn a bit of language you never thought you can handle!

This event will give you all the answers for all questions you ever wanted to ask. See the differences, find the similarities. Plus, help you get understood and feel like at home on your travels in 20 countries of Europe!

Check the facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151355718235735&ref=ts

The video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MejMwUy2uoI

And the official website:
http://www.aegee-praha.cz/slavicworld/

First round deadline is on 17th October 23:59, second round 31th October right after the AGORA! Grab a place before it's gone!

Final article from AEGEE25 in Cagliari [in Italian only]

http://www.aegeecagliari.com/index.php/aegee-25-aegee-15-2253.html

From "AEGEE25 in Sofia" Blog

What's coming on
Hey! Hey!

Our event is in the middle of it and so far everything looks great!!!

Tomorrow we will go through the sightseeing in Sofia and we will have a simulation about the Erasmus program in the nice hostel where the participants are staying - Canape.

Sofia is very beautiful now that the hot days are back here!
Posted by Sneji

THE 5th DAY
Our event is going slowly to its end but there is still much to come!

Until now we had a long and interesting workshop for Public Speech and Debates, a workshop about EVS and a simulation about Erasmus involving all parties and roles in the process before going on Erasmus exchange. The simulation was made in cooperation with ESN Bulgaria :)
Today the participants get to know different places and monuments in Sofia, and they went on Mountain Vitosha yesterday where we had picnic, we played some energizing games and we relaxed in the sun.

Tomorrow we will have a big discussion and workshops for EuroPass, Leadership and Team Work, Body Language.
Posted by Sneji

http://aegee-25-sofia.blogspot.com/2010/09/we-have-great-time.html

http://aegee-25-sofia.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-post_2503.html