CONGA AIESEC Conference

This last weekend from Friday to Monday I attended an international AIESEC conference named CONGA (Congress for Growing AIESECers) in Panajachel, Guatemala. At this conference there was around 50 people, 2 from Dominican Republic, 1 from Puerto Rico, 6 from El Salvador, 3 from USA, the rest from the 4 different Universities in Guatemala that have AIESEC groups, except for the chair of the conference was a 24 year old from Switzerland who has been in El Salvador for a year to reorganize and help run thier AIESEC (AIESEC in Europe is very well developed and organized).

Panajachel is one of eight towns located around Lake Atitlan which is described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and it really is. Unfortunately we did not get to really leave the hotel to experience this beauty until Monday. From Friday until Monday we were part of learning sessions that worked to show people the potential AIESEC has and also for people to experience personal growth and development and show how they can use AIESEC in their future to help achieve their dreams and professional development.

I have been to AIESEC conferences before and this one was different for me because it was my first international conference. Throughout the day there are sessions and seminars about what AIESEC is as well as its leadership opportunities, exchange opportunities and personal testimonies and examples of AIESEC opportunities around the world and what it can do for you.

For me one of the most important aspects of AIESEC is networking with people, and at this conference especially I loved this aspect. There was a very awesome networking moment for myself that wasn't even in a session. During one of the brief breaks I found myself at a table with a girl from Guatemala, a girl from Puerto Rico, a guy from Dominican Republic, and another guy from New York. This informal discussion was amazing for me because we discussed politics, cultures, international view points and anything else we wanted to. I had to think afterwards, when is the next time I can sit at a table with 4 countries and have a completely open conversation with people my age about everything and anything that interests us. I think this conversation was especially important to me because I am interested in international relations and international business and this gave me great insight to other cultures, other customs, and a first person view about issues in these countries that I could not experience from reading a book.

On Monday we got to take a boat from one side of the lake to the other side and eat lunch and walk around in another town, San Pedro. The view from any point of the lake was truly amazing, there was mountains surrounding this lake, including three volcanoes, something that I've never experienced before in the USA. This boat ride also gave us another chance to hang out with all the AIESECers and make and expand our contacts.

Overall the conference was great, and I'll have a lot to bring break to our AIESEC chapter in Eau Claire when I get back. My only problem with the conference was after 4 hours of sessions and presentations in Spanish my head was maxed out and I needed a break for a while because it was very challenging to stay focused and intrigued when I was focusing so hard to understand everything. Other than that it was a great experience and really helped me make a lot of connections and friends in Guatemala, El Salvador and the Caribbean.

Adios,

Jesse