Profile: Patricia Chicas

Name: Patricia Chicas
Also known as: Patry
Joined AIESEC in: 2003
Reason for joining: I wanted to go on exchange (haven´t done it until now :P)
Reason for staying: Love leadership
Elections won: LCVPER 05-06, LCP 06-07, MCVPER 07-08 Colombia, MCVP P 08-09 Australia
Elections lost: MCP 08-09
I can always be heard saying: "aja" a typical Colombian comment ;)
On my iPod right now: broken output :
Countries visited: Turkey, Argentina, France
Next country on my hitlist... Australia ;)
I think you all should read... One Hundred years of Loneliness by Gabriel García Marquez, its a classical Colombian novel!!
Favourite quote: Carpe Diem!!!

Favourite part of Sydney? For sure I would answer this one soon :P

Worst part of Sydney: Answers coming soon!!

Profile: Jess Erhart

Name: Jessica Erhart
Also known as: Jess, Blessed Sister Jess
Joined AIESEC in: 2005
Reason for joining: For the corporate partners listed on the flyer... plus I had just moved to Brisbane and had no friends...
Reason for staying: The incredible, incredible people.
Elections won: LCVPICX 2005, LCP QUT 2006 and MCVPER 08-09
Elections lost: LCP QUT 2007
I can always be heard saying: "All I hear is WAH!'
On my iPod right now: Placebo, Smashing Pumpkins, Kings of Leon, Jose Gonzales, NIN
Countries visited: Singapore, UK, Spain, The Philippines, Germany, UAE, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Fiji, United States, France, Italy, Belgium, Egypt, The Netherlands, Tunisia, Czech Republic and Vatican City
Next country on my hitlist... Potentially... India, Bangladesh or Pakistan.
I think you all should read... Life of Pi, Vernon God Little and The Outsider
Favourite quote: "Always remember that where you are is exactly where you're supposed to be."
Favourite part of Sydney? Seeing the Opera House as the train goes over the Harbour Bridge every morning on my way to work
Worst part of Sydney: The rats in Central Station...

Profile: Jake Formosa

Name: Jacob Formosa
Also known as: Jake
Joined AIESEC in: 2005
Reason for joining: Lucy talked AT me for 10 minutes
Reason for staying: The opportunity to develop leadership and business skills in a practical way
Elections won: Sydney LCVPMAX 06, NSW SM 07, MCP 0809
Elections lost: Sydney LCP 07
I can always be heard saying: Coffee anyone?
On my iPod right now: Gotye, Powderfinger, Skyhooks
Countries visited: New Caledonia, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Singapore
Next country on my hitlist... Brazil, Italy, Malaysia
I think you all should read... "Magician" by Raymond E Fiest. AWESOME Fantasy! Also "Who Killed Channel 9" if you're interested in how to destroy a leading television network.
Favourite quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson

Favourite part of Sydney? The fact it is the most beautiful city in the world! And all the times when I remember how lucky I am to live here.
Worst part of Sydney: People that constantly want to tell me how bad Sydney is (in a non-joking way)

Profile: Robbie Kwok

Name: Robbie Kwok
Also known as: Spider Rob, Rob, Kwokkie
Joined AIESEC in: 2006
Reason for joining: Exchange program
Reason for staying: Leadership and personal development opportunities, a building of networks and empowering others to develop and achieve group successes
Elections won: LCP AIESEC Adelaide University 2007, MCVPX 0809 AIESEC Australia
Elections lost: SM AIESEC South Australia 2008
I can always be heard saying: "C'mooon!!"
On my iPod right now: Pharrell Williams, N*E*R*D*, Lupe Fiasco and John Mayer.
Countries visited: Belgium, China, France, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, US.
Next country on my hitlist... Canada, Spain, Turkey.
I think you all should read... "Third Culture Kids" (David Pollock) and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (Roald Dahl)
Favourite quote: "Wealth is of the heart and mind, not the pocket" - Pharrell Williams.
"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do." - Aristotle
Favourite part of Sydney? Milsons point and Mosman.
Worst part of Sydney: To be discovered...

Profile: Nicole Cameron

Name: Nicky Cameron
Also known as: Nickychicky'
Joined AIESEC in: 2005
Reason for joining: international opportunities and engagement
Reason for staying: leadership and development opportunities, being around passionate people
Elections won: VPPD AIESEC Sydney 2006, MCVPTM 0809 AIESEC Australia Elections lost: LCP AIESEC Sydney 2007
I can always be heard saying: its fabulous!
On my iPod right now: Radiohead, the Kooks, Trial Kennedy, The Presets, British India, The Wombats, Red Jezebel
Countries visited: The Philippines
Next country on my hitlist... The Netherlands, France, Denmark, Europe Europe Europe!!! I think you all should read... Emotional Intelligence
Favourite quote: 'Heres to the crazy ones. the misfits. the rebels. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. But the one thing you cannot do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones we see genius. Because the people who are cazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do"

'Our biggest fear is not that we are inadequate, it is that we are powerful beyond measure'

Favourite part of Sydney? Opera Bar, having a nice afternoon drink under the opera house looking straight at the harbour bridge - beautiful :), Also Purple sneakers ( a cool friday night pub that plays indie rock music!!)
Worst part of Sydney: Transport 'system' - sucks.

Profile: James Mathews

Name: James Mathews
Also known as: "Nakey", "Jimmy"
Joined AIESEC in: 2004
Reason for joining: At the start, free pizza and a great sell!
Reason for staying: Leadership opportunities, and the opportunity to empower and develop others
Elections won: VPHR University of Queensland 2005; VPPD University of Queensland 2006; LCP University of Queesland 2008; MCVPF AIESEC Australia 2008-09
Elections lost: MCP AIESEC Australia 2008-09

I can always be heard saying:

On my iPod right now: Foo Fighters, Living End, Grinspoon
Countries visited: New Zealand, Ireland, France, Italy, Austria, England, Switzerland, and Singapore (Though the last really only was the airport)
Next country on my hitlist... Japan, Chile, or the US depending on the snow conditions and my budget!
I think you all should read... I swear I started this before Ryan posted it, but Shantaram - incredible book
Favourite quote: Be who you want to be, do what you want to do (random song I have no idea the name of); and No-one will run you down in Sydney if you're wearing a suit (Trent - AIESEC alumni)
Favourite part of Sydney? Sunny days in national parks on the harbour
Worst part of Sydney: 6.30am starts and the horrendous chill associated

Profile: Pieter Leonard

Name: Pieter Leonard
Also known as: Pieter
Joined AIESEC in: 2004
Reason for joining: Didn’t knew what to do the first week at university
Reason for staying: Challenges and internationalism
Elections won: LCVP Projects05, corporate director 06, OCP Career days 06, LCP 07 (All in Belgium)
Elections lost: LCP 06
I can always be heard saying: There are no problems, only challenges
On my iPod right now: Dutch song: Yevgenui, alsof er niets gebeurde
Countries visited: Belgium, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, USA and Australia
Next country on my hitlist: New Zealand, Japan and South Africa
I think you all should read... Series of books: Emperor
Favourite quote: “What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left.” and “You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.”
Favourite part of Sydney? How should I know?
Worst part of Sydney? How should I know!

Profile: Ryan McKenzie

Hey Australia,

Unfortunately we haven't had the chance to meet all of our 650 members just yet, but we thought that over the coming weeks we'd let you guys get to know us...


Name: Ryan McKenzie
Also known as: RMAC
Joined AIESEC in: 2004
Reason for joining: Shit hot presentation in a lecture
Reason for staying: The people, impact and skills I developed
Elections won: ICX Director 05, 06, SM 07
Elections lost: LCP UQ 07
I can always be heard saying: I'm easy
On my iPod right now: Lots of powderfinger
Countries visited: USA, Canada, NZ and India (Singapore airport - but doesn't really count..) Next country on my hitlist... Western Europe, Central Europe
I think you all should read... Shantaram and The First Man in Rome Service (Historical fiction)
Favourite quote: I've got three:

"Dont let anybody tell you what you can't do. You've gotta love what you want, and want what you love. Once you've got that in your mind, nobody can stop you' - Roy Jones Jnr " I know what you're thinking punk, you're thinking did he fire 6 shots or only 5. Now to tell you the truth i forgot myself, in all this excitement. But being this is a 34 magnum the most powerful handgun in the world, it will blow you're head clean off, so you've gotta ask yourself a question. Do yah feel lucky? Well do yah, punk!?!?" - Harry Callahan, Dirty Harry "Lock s-foils in attack position"

Favourite part of Sydney? Purple Sneakers
Worst part of Sydney: The walk past the hospital from MC house

MC 2008-2009 in the house!

Hey AIESEC Australia,

The MC team for 2008-2009 are in Sydney for transition. We're currently starting to take over the office, so we thought we'd take over the blog as well...

We've got 230 registrations for July Conference already, we've had the 60th Anniversary Alumni Celebration in Sydney (thanks Anne!) and MPM's last weekend... and it's only Week 3 of transition.

We're also farewelling the 2007-2008 team. This week we say goodbye (but see you soon!) to Kate, Krissu and Lucy. We wish you guys all the best!