As a result of the turbulent and ever changing
international landscape, clashes of cultures and ideas, wars, economic
hardships, and struggling nations, we face many challenges as citizens
of this world. Many look to the world’s universities in hopes
that they will build and develop leaders that set forth to change
our world for the better. The University of Georgia has in its hands
the opportunity to confront these global challenges through AIESEC,
an organization that by exchanging young people around the world
on internships, develops individuals with a mind-set that is more
internationally aware, culturally understanding, and determined
to improve our world.
AIESEC, the world’s largest student-run organization, operates
a paid international internship program in over 80 countries, 800
universities, and with more than 50,000 members worldwide. AIESEC
is non-profit in nature and therefore operates this internship program
with the mission of developing our world’s international communities,
businesses, and individuals with an overriding commitment to international
understanding and cooperation.
In the fall of 2001, AIESEC at the University of Georgia was re-founded
by 8 UGA students. We embarked on a new quest to impact the world
through exChanging college students on international internships
around the globe. With zero membership from past years, our goal
was to rebuild the organization and to implement a strategy of structured
growth for future years. We began last fall with 8 primarily Honors
Business students, expanded to 14 in the spring, and currently have
22 active members. By the end of our first year, AIESEC Georgia
had sent more UGA students on international internships than ever
before. For the first time in AIESEC’s history, Athens businesses
became interested in taking international interns.
AIESEC exists on only 37 college campuses around the United States
and solely at UGA and Georgia Tech in the Southeast. AIESEC’s
capacity ranges from sending UGA students to work around the world
in the areas of Business, Information Technology, and Education;
to bringing international interns to work in Athens businesses.
It also serves as a developmental organization for UGA students
to run like a business and gain professional experience. We have
already seen through this year’s progress just how positive
AIESEC’s impact can be on the lives of UGA students, international
businesses, and international communities.
We are excited about the bright future that we see for AIESEC here
at the University of Georgia. We hope to gain even further support
for AIESEC from the University community in hopes of allowing as
many people as possible the opportunity to impact the world through
AIESEC.
Ryan M. Gembala
President
AIESEC Georgia
October 9th, 2002 |
