Beyond Borders: Promoting International Exchange with AIESEC

University of Oulu, AIESEC in Oulu hosted an exciting and purpose-driven event, Beyond Borders, to promote international exchange opportunities and inspire young people to step out of their comfort zones. The event aimed to showcase AIESEC's mission of developing leadership through cross-cultural experiences, encouraging the next generation of changemakers to look beyond their local communities and explore the world.

was all about introducing students and young professionals to AIESEC's wide array of global programs. Whether you're interested in volunteering abroad, gaining experience through international internships, or interested in taking part in exciting international projects, this event was an info session for those ready to expand their horizons.

With the world becoming increasingly interconnected, AIESEC believes that today’s youth should be empowered to take on global challenges, fostering leadership and cultural understanding. This event was designed to help attendees understand how they can make a difference, no matter where they are in the world.

What We Did To ensure the event’s success, the AIESEC team put in a lot of work, and we made sure every part of the day was designed to engage and inform. Here’s a breakdown of what we did:

● Set up the venue: We created a welcoming atmosphere at Tellus, where people felt comfortable and excited about the experience ahead. We also had free snacks for the audience and the AIESEC team to keep everyone engaged and attracted to the event.

● Delivered presentations: We gave in-depth presentations on AIESEC's mission, goals, and the various global programs available for students and young

professionals.

● Icebreaker activities: To get everyone involved, we kicked things off with a fun game of “Would you Rather?” where we asked the audience some funny questions to warm them up and create a fun and friendly atmosphere.

● Shared personal stories: Our guest was Elina, the MC manager of AIESEC in Helsinki. She shared her experience of doing her volunteering in Costa Rica 5 years ago and also talked about how much it changed her as a person and how great her experience has been. Our local committee president, Fahim, also shared many of his international exchange experiences and how much it also changed him as a person. One of his interesting experiences was working with children. He mentioned that he disliked working with children, but after working with them, his views changed when they liked him even if they did not know his language. He also mentioned eating chicken with only salt as part of his new international experiences. Overall, he mentioned how confident he felt as a person compared to his past.

● Q&A and networking session: We had a 10-minute networking break where we encouraged the participants to connect with each other and exchange ideas, and enjoy the snacks that we offered. We also held a Q&A session where we answered the valuable questions of our participants.

● Feedback and sign-ups: We encouraged our participants at the event to fill up the feedback form to give their valuable feedback.

It was a jam-packed event designed to be informative, interactive, and fun!

How It Went The event was a success! The energy in the room was amazing, with people eager to learn more about AIESEC's mission and how they could get involved. We had a great turnout, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Attendees were excited to hear about the different ways they could engage with AIESEC, and many expressed interest in pursuing exchange programs or joining the organization itself. The discussions were engaging, and it was clear that people walked away feeling motivated and inspired.

The atmosphere was full of hope and energy, and it was incredibly rewarding to see how AIESEC’s message resonated with so many individuals.

My Personal Experience As the host of the event, I had the incredible opportunity to guide the flow of the day and engage directly with the attendees. From welcoming everyone to introducing the speakers and activities, it was a dynamic and interactive role that kept me on my toes. This was my first time hosting an event or doing public speaking, so while speaking, I felt my legs shaking out of nervousness, but the friendliness of my team and the audience helped me speak confidently.

I loved seeing the excitement in the room as attendees learned more about AIESEC and the opportunities for global exchange. It was especially fulfilling to be able to create a warm, inviting atmosphere where people felt comfortable asking questions and connecting with each other.

Being a host not only helped me build my public speaking and leadership skills but also reminded me of the power of community and shared goals. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone were truly contagious, and it was a moment I’ll always remember.

Looking Ahead Beyond Borders was a fantastic event, but it’s just the beginning. We’re already excited about what’s to come and can’t wait to continue creating spaces where young people can be inspired to take action, build their leadership skills, and go beyond their comfort zones.

If you missed the event, don’t worry—there are plenty of opportunities ahead. Keep an eye out for future AIESEC events, and who knows? Maybe the next event will be the one that sparks your global journey.

Ready to make an impact? Join AIESEC today and start your journey to becoming a global leader!