START – A Truly Memorable Experience

Here are more sharing and pic by our NTU delegates on START 2007 in the land of hospitality - Taiwan!!!

Before START

From Nicholas (our caring alumnus Uncle).....

TW seemed to have a lot more of cute girls, or I could be blind in Singapore :PSeriously, TW is so environmentally friendly, they tried sorting out all the trash which S'poreans don't really bother. Also, it seemed that the people there are more friendly. Especially if the locals know that we are foreigners. Likewise in Singapore, maybe too many foreigners around, so a bit more bochap. The OCs are a dedicated lot, they spend a lot of time coordinating the stuff. The facis shouldn't work like hell, all the work should have been done way before. The response to the sessions were better than expected. The delegates are great, though I think it might even be better if not for the SNCF.

I think the most memorable xp is really the friendship that I experienced from the Taiwanese. They had spent a lot of time, money and brain cells to bring us around for sightseeing. It's this true friendship that I had felt that touches my heart.\n",1]

I like the wonderful sceneries that I saw in TW. The lush greenery, the deep blue sea combined with the sky as well as all the natural formation of rocks at the beach. Not to mentions all the temples and chaotic buildings which is quite unique from the Singapore context I think the most memorable xp is really the friendship that I experienced from the Taiwanese. They had spent a lot of time, money and brain cells to bring us around for sightseeing. It's this true friendship that I had felt that touches my heart.

The World is Our Playground

From Long (our OCP for EPRD Info Talk 0708)

Taiwanese are so friendly and caring that they took care delegates in all ways: accomodation, transportation, dining ,even for many times they asked me whether the food is nice.
Secondly the food definitely is delicous and well-marinated. For every single dish I tasted, they are all unique and special though of the same food. Say the bubble tea, mince pork rice, juice drink, fried quail eggs, although I tried more than 2 times from different store, the flavors are distinguable. Not forgetting the scences and landscapes, tourist spots where I visited. Amazing and impressive

The conference is a good exploration of all basic departments in LC and experience from other members. I had a chance to talk with MCP Jessica about fund raising, and she was very enthusiastic about sharing. From her past activities, she suggested that we should have a good partnership with a big company, or even MNC or holding group. Though it may be difficult but the award is worthy and long-lasting. Instead of asking for fund for every events, AIESEC in Taiwan is a campus partner for Loreal, in charge of campus recruitment and competition held by the company. The LC will do the logistic, provide manpower, support and contribute to cut the cost for the activities. In return, 400,000NT will be sponsored which cover most of the expense from 9 LCs. I like the ambassador report and the sharing about perspectives from other countries. It's a great effort from OC to make the schedule to be so enriching

Thanks to Money and other contemporary tour guides, I was brought around and enjoyed the best of Taiwan. Within 6 days of the conference, all delagates from many religions did bond to each other very well. It's very suprising to see Lucia, Christne and even Tom cried in the closing ceremony. Overcoming obstacles of political constraint, beating difficulties with a small amount of manpower, breaking the language barrier, sacrificing time, money, and labor for a long time, all of LC,OC,faci and delegates rock !!

Our visit to Long Shan Temple

Taipei City Tour

From Lucia (LC VP ER 0708)

It is the AIESECers: the courage, passion and efforts of TW AIESECers really impressed me. Especially the OC of the START conference, it is amazing that 7 people can organize such a successful event!! And they never showed their tiredness in front of the delegate or facilitators during the 6 day conference and the post-study tour, instead, they are kind and helpful with a big smile :)

Then it’s the shopkeepers. We often go shopping in Taiwan! Sometimes we bargain with the seller although they offer a reasonable price. They are always patient and willing to sell it at a satisfactory price for tourists coz they need to spend a lot on air-tickets one shopkeeper says.

I’ve learned a lot about global warming and entrepreneurship situation in Taiwan. Also,the ER ideas from Jessica. The Sky Lantern Night gives me the most beautiful memory :) It’s so romantic and motivating to see all our AIESEC goals, our wishes and even the gossips written on the lantern flying high in the sky!! Can we also have such beautiful night in SG? I’m sure everyone will be excited as lots of people have never seen this before.

Post tour is more about fun and relaxation!! Friendship is further solidified through the tour.Also I learned the culture of the food and drinks ^^

From Lilian (BEADS PBOX OCVP 0708)

I like the warmth and sincerity of the Taiwanese delegates that I met. I could feel that they were trying their very best to make us feel comfortable in a foreign environment. Also, the food is great and Iwas shocked to see so many choices of tea. =PI learned that it doesn¡¦t take long for friendship and LOVE!!! to blossom. In just a few days, we had become close enough to share and to truly connect with one another. At the same time, we also benefited from the experiences of the facis from Taiwan, Singapore and the Philippines. We learned how to stay calm during interview sessions (SRB), how to sell AIESEC to the corporate world and also about Taiwanese culture through our trips to the National Palace Museum and Long Shan temple.

During the post-tour, we got to see another side of Taiwan in Jiufen. The old streets are chaotic and we even got lost there. But I think that that is the beauty of this place. The beautiful rock formations near the sea will always remain in my memories too. Most of all, I will remember the last night discussion we had about our future plans. It was a great sharing session and those who missed it (Alvin!!!) should find out the gist ofour discussions. =D4.It is hard to choose just one single xp so I would say that it was the whole conference where we first got to know one another andthen progressed to become friends in that short period of time.

I believe that it is really just the START of our friendship and I hope that we will be able to meet old friends and make new friends at EVOLVE 2008. Special thanks goes to Grace for being such a great chief delegate.

At Taipei Discovery Center



The Good Food in TW!!!



Beautiful Sunset Sceneries at Dan Shui