Beyond your house, your city, your country there’s a whole new world – full of unknown, interesting and most importantly full of new things. Have you ever thought about those fresh emotions, exciting perspectives and tons of different people that exist beyond your current world? Have you ever had a feeling that you just have to see it all?
Of course you have! You are an AEGEEan – young spirited, a travel addict for whom borders don’t exist, who appreciates freedom and enjoys intercultural activities. Unfortunately, there’s a part of the AEGEE world where borders still exist, constraining freedom of movement, power of spontaneous travelling and will of staying at a friend’s house somewhere in the middle of Europe for one more day, just because the visa is expiring in the next 24 hours. Violating visa dates could result in not getting another one for many years, so fearing the consequences, another extraordinary evening in the company of friends seems less attractive.. Well, nothing left to do but pack and go back home.
But, let’s start from the very beginning. Imagine yourself in her shoes.
Young, full of energy, willing to see the world, open for new experiences and excited about meeting new people. People are people all over the world. Some kind, some not so much; Some interesting, some dull as painting going dry; Some funny, some without an inch of humour; you know that beforehand, but still you’re so excited about meeting people that you would never see if you didn’t leave the nest!
You have been an AEGEE member for almost a year now, and as odd it may sound, you’ve never attended an event outside THE borders. You don’t really know why. Maybe because you hate bureaucracy and collecting all those dull papers that take so much energy and enthusiasm out of you; maybe it’s the fear of getting another denial stamp into your passport.
Emotions take over when after a few weeks of waiting an email finally gets to you. Do you know the feeling of excitement, joy and a little fear, all mixed with each other? The one that makes you want to jump up and down like crazy and hug everyone around. Yep, this is it! The anxiety of getting the letter that states: “Hello, we are happy to inform you that you have been accepted for the project…” But not just any project, the project of your dreams. The one you have been wanting to attend already for a while – your first international AEGEE project outside of your country.
The last time you applied for a Schengen visa, something went so wrong: “insufficient reasons to leave the country” with no further explanation. You truly believe this time is going to be different, because now you’re not just a student willing to travel, but a member of an international youth organization with a potential of determining the future of new generations, at least partially.
Call to the embassy to make an appointment. Collect the necessary documents. Go to the appointment.
Even though the organizers of the project were overly nice and they have already called to inform the embassy about you, you’re still very nervous! The person looking through your papers seems indifferent towards you; he only takes a glance at you and asks a few questions without raising his eyes from the documents.
After an exhausting waiting of 10 days you finally get your passport back and feel over the moon when you see a visa in it.
Preparation, flight. Meeting new people and getting to know the AEGEE world better. Getting more motivated to change things for the better. Becoming close friends with some of the project organisers and participants. Emotional goodbyes with most of them. Continuing your journey with a bunch of other participants to an unplanned location – your newly obtained friend’s place in Rome. Spending magical and amazing three days at his place. Having to leave early because visa expires in 24 hours! Tears of joy and tears of sadness. Fantastic memories to take and new friends in your heart.
Whatever we say, AEGEE gives us whole new experiences and opportunities that can open some doors that were closed before.
Written by Ani Zakareishvili, AEGEE-Tbilisi