Hope you all had a nice and relaxing Christmas and are now ready for the year 2012 that is just around the corner! Here is something to get inspired from in the beginning of the new year; greetings from our EB Kaisa all the way from Pakistan!
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Hei Suomi, it’s Pakistan calling! I am Kaisa, an AIESECer having lived in Pakistan for the past six months or so, participating in the Global Internship Programme of AIESEC.
Amazing view towards Kashmir in Khyber Pakhtunhkwa province. (c) Jp de Luna
When I told my friends and family that I’m leaving to Pakistan, most of them thought I was out of my mind. And they were pretty much right. I was planning to do an internship to continue my exploration of the world, but out of all the places, Pakistan? What led me here was an excellent job description offered by my employer along with wanting to go far away from everything. Also, I wanted a challenge, an experience that will push my limits and make me see the world from a new perspective. And that challenge I most definitely got. The past half a year has been one emotional roller coaster, from the deepest steep when I have just wanted to give up and go back home, to the highest hills of happiness. Settling in to a place where values, practices, attitudes and society are constructed very differently compared to my own views was definitely not easy. The pressure from the surrounding world to adapt was huge, but I felt the need to fight back. With time and support of a few magnificent people I met here, the country started to show its other face for me. I decided not to get upset with things I can’t change, but just try to enjoy the good things around. There are certainly many problems around; poverty, crimes, devastation and violence, just to mention a few, but the coin has other side as well. The people with good heart are too good. Nowhere else I have seen as many people devote as much time and money for doing good to others. And if a Pakistani invites you as a guest, you will never be hungry, thirsty or bored. I have been invited to people’s homes, to weddings, I have been taken to places, received advice, asked for favours and eaten too many delicious meals. This dichotomy makes Pakistan a very exciting (and every now and then tiring) place to live in, you never know what is going to happen.
I gave my camera to a child on one a field visit, and she did impressive job. (c) Kaisa Oikarinen
It might be difficult to imagine everyday life in a country that breaks the headlines with drone attacks, suicide bombs and ethnic violence. In the morning I wake up, go to work from 9 to 5, come back home, cook a dinner or go out to eat, and go to sleep. I’m sorry if you were expecting something less boring ☺ One of the most important things making my life interesting is the challenging and demanding work. I work for a Pakistani NGO running social development programmes in rural Pakistan. I have been involved in policy planning, research and have designed and executed projects. Also, I have made a few very good friends, with whom I enjoy spending time. Karachi has a lot of events going on, so there’s always something to do. I’ve started scuba diving here as well, which is probably one of the coolest things I’ve done in my life. My favourite past time activities are eating and shocking Pakistanis by a behaviour that is not expected from women (such as driving a car, climbing to a tree or travelling on a top of a bus).
Pakistani trucks are a statement of art. (c) Faisal Shah
Makli nekropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Makli, Sindh. (c) Kaisa Oikarinen
That’s the basics of my life in Pakistan. This is an extremely diverse country geographically, ethnically and culturally. Not every day is sunshine and butterflies, but the journey has been rewarding. Getting skills that matter for your career, learning things from a new culture, broadening your horizon, making friends and discovering yourself, that’s what AIESEC exchange is all about, and that’s what Pakistan has offered me. Challenging but amazing months behind, and new adventures ahead ☺
