MY EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE.

I had a kinda short experience in Uganda for 6 weeks. I say it was short coz I cud have wished to stay there longer. I got to Uganda shortly before Christmas n immediately I got out of the bus I was met with the most unmatched hospitality. U must be thinking that the Aiesecers in Uganda are awesome but I haven’t got there yet. This was just a tailor who saw me get off the bus n since it was raining he rushed and carried my suitcase and welcomed me into his shop and gave me a seat. I was so shocked n I almost refused being used to conmen in Kenya.

When I first spoke he immediately knew I was Kenyan n he started telling me about Uganda. I even forgot to call the Aiesecers n I was picked an hour later and taken to the Ugandan MC house. I was received very warmly at the house by some of the MC members and by other interns who were there. The house was a hive of activity as everyone was preparing to leave for work. I was introduced to everyone and was amazed at the many Nationalities living in the same house and that I would interact with during my stay.

In the evening everyone was back and I got to chat with a couple of them. During weekends all the interns and other Aiesecers in Uganda would meet at the MC house and go out together. Thursdays was also Aiesec night at one of the clubs in Kampala and we would dance to Aiesec roll calls.

During the whole period of my stay I met people from all continents. There were people from Brazil, Botswana, Australia, Tanzania, China, Japan, Canada, Mexico, France, Taiwan, Netherlands and Egypt. This helped to expand my global mindset.

I worked at a community based organization with an intern from Japan. The organization dealt with HIV/AIDs patients as HIV is really prevalent in Uganda. I counseled and also visited patients at their homes for home based care giving. We were also engaged in income generating activities to help raise money to help the patients. We took care of people affected and infected by HIV/AIDs and sought bursaries and sponsors for orphaned kids from the country and abroad. The saddest part was when patients succumbed and I knew there was nothing we could do. We also rounded up youths in the community and educated them and they helped us in mobilizing community members during VCTs and other events that we organized. I ended up learning some Luganda and the people were sad to see me leave.

I now have many contacts from my exchange experience and this is part of one of my biggest goals in Aiesec and Life, to create a diverse network of contacts.

This has been so far the best six weeks of my life when I achieved much of what I yearn for in life in just a short time and I would do it over and over again.

BY CHRISTINE MWANGI
V.P. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION (2010/2011)
AIESEC EGERTON UNIVERSITY
KENYA