http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110227/university/film-making-course-short-film-festival
AEGEE-Valletta's Executive Board would like to thank all those who shown both interest and presence to the course on film-making, giving this initiative an optimal kick start!
Thanks a million to all those involved. We're confident that it will turn out to be a paying-off positive experience to all those taking part! :)
Short Film Festival
Interweaving culture with entertainment, while merging them with talent, and circling it all in both an educational and fun-loving sphere, AEGEE-Valletta and CommA have been implementing their youthful efforts to their upcoming event, it being a short film festival. This festival is going to unfold itself into two primary events, starting off with an introductory course to film making, which will then actuate itself into the showcasing of all the films submitted by the participants, eventually leading to a winner being announced.
The introductory course to film making will be held between the 1st and the 18th of March, and it will envelope five sessions: Lighting and Photography, Script Writing, Filming, Editiing 1 and Editiing 2. Rendering it both feasible and accessible to both students and other participants, all sessions, excepting script writing, will be held at the University Studio. The course is offered at a total price of 20euro for all sessions, with the possibility of paying on a session by session basis, in which case the price would be that of 5euro for each session. It is also worthy highlighting that the course will be delivered by professional lecturers all throughout, and that the price is fully smart card refundable.
Following the instructive stage, all youths between 16-30 will then be encouraged to create their own short film. Nonetheless, this is not subject to their having attended the sessions. With regard to their product, the film has to be from 2 to 10 minutes long, and participants can work in groups of up to 5 people. All films are required to be submitted between the 18th to the 22nd of April.
This will then lead to the short film festival itself, in which screening of the films will take place before the general public as well as a panel of judges. This will be followed by a reception where the winner will be announced and awarded the price of 200euro. A small entrance fee will be charged, which will include the screening, free flowing wine, and finger food on the night. The venue where all this is going to be held will be announced shortly.
So let's see you all in March where we would enhance not simply our knowledge of, but also have our mini masterpieces in an industry that engages the interest of many - filmaking!
Showing your interest in it, or having your queries clairified is just an email away: hr@aegee-valletta.org
Human Rights
A brief understanding of the concept of Human Rights in Islamic Culture in light of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights
The U.N. Universal Declaration on Human Rights implicitly and explicitly presumes that notwithstanding the different cultural background and existential conditions of the individual human being, there is a set of rights which is available to all who fall within the species of ‘human beings’. One can, to an extent, say that this is a precondition on which the other provisions of the declaration are based. The reason for the use of the phrase ‘other provisions’ is because the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, in article 1, declares the concept of universality which is so inseparably fused with all the following provisions. This is also Farhang’s view. However, it is on this point that Islam feels that its own interpretation of human rights differs fundamentally from Western philosophy and perspective.
In the Islamic religious tradition it is believed that the community, particularly the religious community, comes before the individual. Islam can be understood as being a self-contained and self-supportive entity. Khadduri describes Islam as being "a compact wall, whose bricks support each other". However, many believe that at some point Islamic principles cease to be rational and tend to shift onto the plane of arbitrariness and religious (religio-traditional) autocracy veiled by the justification that it is the will of Allah, and thus the Divine law, which is unquestionable and thus unalterable.
Muslims believe that the role of the person is not only to ensure the preservation of the cultural traditions, but moreover, to recognize that the community provides for the integration of the human personality (a diplomatic way of hindering the possibility of free thought). After this concept is instilled into the mind of the Muslim follower, self-abnegation is no longer an issue and thus it becomes relatively easier to perform in a way which promotes solely the collective good for the community.
Within the African perspective it is also clear that the emphasis is on ‘duty’ more than it is on ‘rights’, and this has undeniably been culturally determined. In Islam specifically, an individual’s obligation is consolidated by it being owed to Allah. One necessarily also finds that what has been said is relevant when speaking, in a manner, within the context of Natural law. Natural Law consists solely of obligations, and the rights which seem to emanate from it are merely a derivant of the other party’s obligation. However, in Natural law the obligation is not owed to any supranatural being but rather to human dignity, and human dignity is something which can be observed, which makes the basis in natural law, unlike at times in Islamic law, rational in nature. This is the major differentiating factor between Natural Law understanding of Human Rights and the Islamic view in this regard. Hence one cannot equate the former’s understanding on the concept of human rights with that of the latter’s.
The rules of conduct for Muslims have been laid down by Allah in the Qu’ran and communicated to them through the Prophet Muhammad; Muslims do service to Allah by following them. With this known, one can clearly see that the only reference which is made is done in regard to ‘duties’.‘Rights’ are always, as a result, superseded by ‘duties’. From this one can then assert that in Islam human rights are one and the same with obligations, derived from the Divine’s mandate. The force and authority of human rights in the Islamic culture is asserted from this religious connection, seen always as being the privilege of Allah, within whom all authority ultimately resides.
There is a firm belief that one can only truly be free if there is complete surrender to the Divine. In fact, basing his ideas on this notion, Nasr argues that Islam favours ‘freedom to’, rather than ‘freedom against’. This whole issue is very arguable when seen in regard to the reality brought about by, say, apostasy. When a person changes religion from Islam, or even when that person is not Islamic for that matter, that person, according to a very close interpretation of what Islam believes loses all human rights, or in the case of the person not being Islamic, does not have any rights to begin with if one follows the line of thought adhered to by Muslims that rights granted to a person are only due to a submission to the mandate of Allah. In fact when one reads the punishment for apostasy under Shari’a law one finds that there is complete and utter disregard for any dignity which that person is entitled to. This, many hold, is a clear example of the arbitrariness of the Islamic perspective of human rights. Muslims, through their religious traditions and written texts, exclaim that for human rights to ever be ‘universal’ there must be global conversion to Islam.
The Islamic perspective of human rights is fundamentally different from that which governs the perspective of human rights in the Western world since the latter is based solely on the principles of human dignity, while the Eastern view is centered around the idea that it is one’s obligation to Allah to perform in a manner according to what was communicated by Him through His Prophet Muhammad. The fundamental problem which keeps Islam from ever being in line with the modern interpretation of what are a person’s rights is that the Qu’ran cannot be interpreted in today’s post-modern world and thus what were not considered to be rights 1400 years ago are rights today. The scripture is the major contributor in keeping the Muslim community from advancing in regard to human rights, and will continue to do so until, if ever, this cultural obstacle is done away with.
This short article is not meant to be a conclusive statement on the human rights aspect in the Eastern tradition, particularly in Islam. It merely acts as an eye-opener, or rather food for thought, on the issue regarding the rights which are, or better yet, which ought to be afforded to each and every person irrespective of cultural or existential conditions to which that person is subjected. Many critics support the idea that unless laws, particularly human rights laws, find their basis to be the dignity of man, those laws are no laws at all. In the words of St. Augustine of Hippo, "an unjust law is no law at all".
Author: John-Claude Mizzi – LL.B. III
Co-Author: Catherine Grima – LL.B. III
The U.N. Universal Declaration on Human Rights implicitly and explicitly presumes that notwithstanding the different cultural background and existential conditions of the individual human being, there is a set of rights which is available to all who fall within the species of ‘human beings’. One can, to an extent, say that this is a precondition on which the other provisions of the declaration are based. The reason for the use of the phrase ‘other provisions’ is because the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, in article 1, declares the concept of universality which is so inseparably fused with all the following provisions. This is also Farhang’s view. However, it is on this point that Islam feels that its own interpretation of human rights differs fundamentally from Western philosophy and perspective.
In the Islamic religious tradition it is believed that the community, particularly the religious community, comes before the individual. Islam can be understood as being a self-contained and self-supportive entity. Khadduri describes Islam as being "a compact wall, whose bricks support each other". However, many believe that at some point Islamic principles cease to be rational and tend to shift onto the plane of arbitrariness and religious (religio-traditional) autocracy veiled by the justification that it is the will of Allah, and thus the Divine law, which is unquestionable and thus unalterable.
Muslims believe that the role of the person is not only to ensure the preservation of the cultural traditions, but moreover, to recognize that the community provides for the integration of the human personality (a diplomatic way of hindering the possibility of free thought). After this concept is instilled into the mind of the Muslim follower, self-abnegation is no longer an issue and thus it becomes relatively easier to perform in a way which promotes solely the collective good for the community.
Within the African perspective it is also clear that the emphasis is on ‘duty’ more than it is on ‘rights’, and this has undeniably been culturally determined. In Islam specifically, an individual’s obligation is consolidated by it being owed to Allah. One necessarily also finds that what has been said is relevant when speaking, in a manner, within the context of Natural law. Natural Law consists solely of obligations, and the rights which seem to emanate from it are merely a derivant of the other party’s obligation. However, in Natural law the obligation is not owed to any supranatural being but rather to human dignity, and human dignity is something which can be observed, which makes the basis in natural law, unlike at times in Islamic law, rational in nature. This is the major differentiating factor between Natural Law understanding of Human Rights and the Islamic view in this regard. Hence one cannot equate the former’s understanding on the concept of human rights with that of the latter’s.
The rules of conduct for Muslims have been laid down by Allah in the Qu’ran and communicated to them through the Prophet Muhammad; Muslims do service to Allah by following them. With this known, one can clearly see that the only reference which is made is done in regard to ‘duties’.‘Rights’ are always, as a result, superseded by ‘duties’. From this one can then assert that in Islam human rights are one and the same with obligations, derived from the Divine’s mandate. The force and authority of human rights in the Islamic culture is asserted from this religious connection, seen always as being the privilege of Allah, within whom all authority ultimately resides.
There is a firm belief that one can only truly be free if there is complete surrender to the Divine. In fact, basing his ideas on this notion, Nasr argues that Islam favours ‘freedom to’, rather than ‘freedom against’. This whole issue is very arguable when seen in regard to the reality brought about by, say, apostasy. When a person changes religion from Islam, or even when that person is not Islamic for that matter, that person, according to a very close interpretation of what Islam believes loses all human rights, or in the case of the person not being Islamic, does not have any rights to begin with if one follows the line of thought adhered to by Muslims that rights granted to a person are only due to a submission to the mandate of Allah. In fact when one reads the punishment for apostasy under Shari’a law one finds that there is complete and utter disregard for any dignity which that person is entitled to. This, many hold, is a clear example of the arbitrariness of the Islamic perspective of human rights. Muslims, through their religious traditions and written texts, exclaim that for human rights to ever be ‘universal’ there must be global conversion to Islam.
The Islamic perspective of human rights is fundamentally different from that which governs the perspective of human rights in the Western world since the latter is based solely on the principles of human dignity, while the Eastern view is centered around the idea that it is one’s obligation to Allah to perform in a manner according to what was communicated by Him through His Prophet Muhammad. The fundamental problem which keeps Islam from ever being in line with the modern interpretation of what are a person’s rights is that the Qu’ran cannot be interpreted in today’s post-modern world and thus what were not considered to be rights 1400 years ago are rights today. The scripture is the major contributor in keeping the Muslim community from advancing in regard to human rights, and will continue to do so until, if ever, this cultural obstacle is done away with.
This short article is not meant to be a conclusive statement on the human rights aspect in the Eastern tradition, particularly in Islam. It merely acts as an eye-opener, or rather food for thought, on the issue regarding the rights which are, or better yet, which ought to be afforded to each and every person irrespective of cultural or existential conditions to which that person is subjected. Many critics support the idea that unless laws, particularly human rights laws, find their basis to be the dignity of man, those laws are no laws at all. In the words of St. Augustine of Hippo, "an unjust law is no law at all".
Author: John-Claude Mizzi – LL.B. III
Co-Author: Catherine Grima – LL.B. III
Incoming AEGEE-Valletta executive board sworn into office
The AEGEE-Valletta executive board 2010/2011 was sworn into office during an extra-ordinary general meeting held on the 22nd October 2010 at Europe House, Valletta. Under the presidency of Euchar Sultana who was also an outgoing Secretary General and Vice President for the previous year, a team of eight young motivated board members took oath of office.
The executive board is made up of, Euchar Sultana, Claude Mizzi, Douglas Aquilina, Ariana Falzon, Francine Caruana, Catherine Grima, Marsette Xerri and Annetto Schembri which were elected on the posts of President, Secretary General, Treasurer, Human Resource Responsible, International Responsible, Activities Responsible, Public Relations Responsible and Marketing Responsible respectively.
AEGEE - Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l'Europe - the European Students’ Forum is the largest pan-European network of students which promotes the idea of a Borderless Europe. As non-governmental, politically independent and non-profit making organisation, AEGEE is open for all youths. AEGEE was founded in Paris in 1985 and its members today number 18,000 spread over 42 European countries. AEGEE works towards enhancing communication and integration among students and young graduates, in a climate of cross-border cooperation. It is through such cooperation amongst more than 200 AEGEE branches all over Europe, that the Association turns its call for European integration into reality, aiming to develop an open and tolerant society.
AEGEE-Valletta founded in 1997, is the Maltese local antenna of the AEGEE-Europe Network. Our aims are to promote a unified Europe without prejudice, to strive for creating an open and tolerant society of today and tomorrow, to foster democracy, human rights, tolerance, cross-boarder co-operation, mobility and european dimension in education. We also give the opportunity to our members to participate in International Conferences and Seminars, Training Events and Case-Study Trips. Also we continuously encourage youths to participate in cultural events that are organised in the 200 antennas around Europe including the ever famous Summer Universities. As a local antenna we also organise a number of local events, for local youths and Erasmus / International Students alike. Such events include conferences, debates, thematic seminars, action weeks, cultural tours, sport tournaments and international events.
For more information about AEGEE-Valletta and the international opportunities we offer, kindly contact us on info@aegee-valletta.org
Graduation, now what? Careers in Europe
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AEGEE-Valletta events
Have you ever thought about your career ? What will happen after you graduate? and What are the opportunities out there?
'Graduation, now what? Careers in Europe' - An information session being organised by AEGEE-Valletta as part of AEGEE week taking place on Friday 23rd April 2010 at 11am, University Quadrangle (in case of bad weather the session will be held at the common room).
Tentative people on the panel will include Hon. Clyde Puli - Parliamentary Secretary for Culture Youth and Sport, representatives from the European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA), representative from the European Employment Services (EURES), representatives from the European Parliament office in Malta (EP) together with people who had the opportunity to work abroad. The information session will be chaired by Ms. Anna Abela, former Insite Editor.
If you are in your final year of studies or simply would like to know more about what type of employments/opportunities are being offered, we encourage you to join us. At the end of the session you will also have the opportunity to ask questions to the panel.
Also if you would like to know more about AEGEE-Valletta and the international opportunities we offer, we kindly invite you to visit the stand at the University Quadrangle between Monday, 19th April and Friday 23rd April 2010 as part of AEGEE week.
If you require more info about the info. session or simply about AEGEE-Valletta in general, kindly email us on info@aegee-valletta.org
Happy Easter
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AEGEE-Valletta events
AEGEE-Valleta would like to wish you a Happy Easter. May this Easter season warm your heart with joy, love and happiness.
..and the journey starts here AEGEE 25: Celebrating Legacies !!
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AEGEE 25
Today officially starts the journey for another unforgettable event taking place this summer in the Maltese islands. The team of AEGEE-Valletta is working hard to make this event another success in the history of AEGEE-Valletta. From time to time we will be updating you about the progress of this event. In this post you can find the the first promotional advert among a series of 3.
AEGEE25: Celebrating Legacies !!
In a time before history even began, something was happening in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea….Something Big….the building of megalithic temples, reincarnation rituals and the tracking of the sun…all done by pre-historic sea-going people on a small island now called Malta….this legacy commenced over 6,000 years ago…
25 years ago, a group of people led by Franck Biancheri in Paris all with ideas of a unified Europe founded EGEE I initiating a European legacy of youth ideals…
A silent city sits on top of a hill…Medina was its name…Full of noblemen houses and families this old capital city was sitting there enjoying the view for more than 5000 years…the nobility legacy started
20 years ago, AEGEE embraced its ideals and opened its doors to students in Central and Eastern Europe directed by the Quo Vadis Group…this legacy has extended up to the western slopes of the Ural Mountains…
On March 28th 1566, the Grandmaster La Vallette laid the first stone of the new capital City Valletta “a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”… a legacy of Knights, commerce and festivities still lives in the walls of our Capital city for all to view…
14 years ago AEGEE’s Headquarters moved to Brussels…the capital of the EU…from there the legacy became bigger and more serious and huge projects were organised like “find Your Way” project in 1996.
The 1st of May 2004, was the day in which Maltese and Gozitan citizens became citizens of the European Union. This opening of a new chapter brought a legacy of change and advancement in Malta
Today, the AEGEE network has grown rapidly with a legacy active in more than 240 university cities in 43 European countries, making it the biggest European Association ever…
So let’s join these legacies of cultural richness, mind blowing quests and dates to remember and let’s celebrate in Maltese and AEGEEAN style the years of success which made us who we are. Let’s party down AEGEE’s 25 years on sandy beaches in Malta, or explore these years whilst walking down the Gozitan bastions of Cittadella or basking in the sun next to the Blue Lagoon…one may either dream of sunburnt legacies, majestic architectural achievements or else live them by joining us this summer for yet another AEGEE-Valletta unforgettable event.
25 years ago, a group of people led by Franck Biancheri in Paris all with ideas of a unified Europe founded EGEE I initiating a European legacy of youth ideals…
A silent city sits on top of a hill…Medina was its name…Full of noblemen houses and families this old capital city was sitting there enjoying the view for more than 5000 years…the nobility legacy started
20 years ago, AEGEE embraced its ideals and opened its doors to students in Central and Eastern Europe directed by the Quo Vadis Group…this legacy has extended up to the western slopes of the Ural Mountains…
On March 28th 1566, the Grandmaster La Vallette laid the first stone of the new capital City Valletta “a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”… a legacy of Knights, commerce and festivities still lives in the walls of our Capital city for all to view…
14 years ago AEGEE’s Headquarters moved to Brussels…the capital of the EU…from there the legacy became bigger and more serious and huge projects were organised like “find Your Way” project in 1996.
The 1st of May 2004, was the day in which Maltese and Gozitan citizens became citizens of the European Union. This opening of a new chapter brought a legacy of change and advancement in Malta
Today, the AEGEE network has grown rapidly with a legacy active in more than 240 university cities in 43 European countries, making it the biggest European Association ever…
So let’s join these legacies of cultural richness, mind blowing quests and dates to remember and let’s celebrate in Maltese and AEGEEAN style the years of success which made us who we are. Let’s party down AEGEE’s 25 years on sandy beaches in Malta, or explore these years whilst walking down the Gozitan bastions of Cittadella or basking in the sun next to the Blue Lagoon…one may either dream of sunburnt legacies, majestic architectural achievements or else live them by joining us this summer for yet another AEGEE-Valletta unforgettable event.
March Newsletter is out !!
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Newsletter
It's time for yet another edition of the monthly AEGEE-Valletta newsletter ! Yep, it's already the end of March ! This means that you have just over one month left to check out the 79 Summer Universities taking place this summer [www.aegee.org/su], choose and apply for a maximum of 3 ! :)
In fact this month's newsletter features info about the Summer University Project - the types of events, links etc etc :) From the theory we then move to the practise, with Antonella Bonavia sharing her experience at previous Summer Universities :)
You can then find information about Upcoming International Events, along with pictures of AEGEE-Valletta Local Events.
AEGEE Week 2010
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AEGEE-Valletta events
Following the success of the past 6 years, AEGEE-Valletta is once again organising the annual AEGEE-Week purely intended to make students aware of available European opportunities offered by our association and of the beauty of a borderless Europe. For this reason we intend to organize several events, both on campus and away from campus, spanning over a whole week.
Throughout the whole week there will be an Information Stand in one of the prominent places on campus (University Quadrangle) to promote AEGEE’s local and European activities, both with Maltese and Erasmus/ International students.
Apart from the Information Stand, other tentative activities are the following:
• Info Session: ‘Graduation. . Now What? Careers / Internships in Europe!’
• Info Meetings: Promoting AEGEE Summer University Project
• Cultural Events for Erasmus & International Students: Mdina by Night
So we hope to see you, whether at the Information Stand at the Quad, or at some other activity being organised during the biggest AEGEE-Valletta Annual event for Locals !
For queries about AEGEE Week or AEGEE in general, please email us on info@aegee-valletta.org
Photography Made Easy - International Opportunity
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International Events
Interested in photography !? Spend a week practicing your photography skills at the Photography Made Easy training course in Kharkiv, Ukraine, between 19.04.10 and 25.04.10 ! You will start with basic photography course moving through landscape, portrait and commercial to conceptual art photography. Several professional photographers will follow along to provide you deep understanding of the subject.
The event will include five key trainings:
- Basic Course: Deals with History of Photography, types and main technical characteristics of modern cameras, and the fundamentals of composition. Workshop is conducted by Yuri Artyukh, member of the Union of Photographers in Ukraine
- Landscape and Nature Photography: Basic technique for landscape photography and photography in extreme conditions. The speaker is Vladimir Ogloblin, member of the Union of Photo Artists of Russia and Ukraine
- Portrait Photography: Types of portrait: classic portrait, business portrait, children portrait, family portrait, group portrait, and usage of light in studio portrait photography. The workshop will be delivered by Vladimir Lelyuk, who has been in photography for over 25 years.
- Advertising and Still Life Photography: Types and equipment for still life photography, how to create a photo studio at your home using expedient means, and a creative approach to still life photography. The speaker is Gennady Udovychenko.
- Photojournalism and Editorial Photography: The historical importance of photojournalism, technique for field photography, media laws and the rights of a photographer. The workshop will be conducted by Sergei Kozlov, a reporter.
Of course in the spare time, you will have a chance to see Kharkiv and its surroundings! You will get to know Ukrainian culture, food and partying :)
The fee for the duration of the event is €120, which covers food, accommodation andprogramme costs.
So are you ready to practise your photography skills? Email AEGEE-Valletta on info@aegee-valletta.org by Thursday 1st April should you be interested ! For more info about AEGEE and AEGEE-Valletta, please visit www.aegee.org and www.aegee-valletta.org.
It's time to GET MOVING !
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AEGEE-Valletta events
So see you all this Sunday ! It's gonna be an event with a difference, but the usual AEGEE-Valletta fun is guaranteed ! :)
More info? info@aegee-valletta.org :)
Meet AEGEE
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AEGEE
What does it mean?
AEGEE stands for Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe. Is it also sometimes referred to as the EuropeanStudents’ Forum
The main steps
- AEGEE was founded in 1985 in Paris
- AEGEE has lobbied for the initiation of ERASMUS programme in 1987 in Paris
- AEGEE is the biggest interdisciplinary students’ association in Europe The structure and the people
- Today AEGEE has approximately 15.000 members in currently 224 local groups spread all over Europe in 43 countries
- AEGEE’s main pillars are Active Citizenship, Peace and Stability, Higher Education and
Cultural Exchange
AEGEE does not have a national level in its structure. Our members work at local level, directly implementing AEGEE aims in a way that serves best the needs of their local community, and at European level, which gives the great common frame and direction for all local activities and provides a platform for international cooperation on cross border initiatives.
The beliefs
- AEGEE aims to promote European co-operation and integration among young people, especially those in the student world
- AEGEE is a secular, non-profit, financially and ideologically independent organisation
- AEGEE is not linked to any political party, but it carries out pro-European projects with an aim - European integration - that have direct influence on European policies.
The activities
- AEGEE has six Focus Areas: three Thematical and three Organisational
- AEGEE members organise and participate in a wide range of activities such as conferences, seminars, exchanges, training courses, case study trips and street actions, as well as various other types of meetings and the well known Summer Universities
- AEGEE members from local level can get directly involved in the European Working Groups, Project Teams and Commissions.
This content is the sole right of AEGEE Members Manual 2009
AEGEE-Valletta February Newsletter
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Newsletter
Check out the recent newsletter published by AEGEE-Valletta on http://www.aegee-valletta.org/AEGEE-Valletta_nl_february.pdf
Summer Universities
Planning to go abroad this summer !? but don't know where yet !? check out the AEGEE Summer Universities taking place all over europe this Summer. For more information click here
Student Forum Maastricht
I was sitting, waiting and reading when a young lady smiled, checked the seat number and sat next to me. Few seconds passed and I was again lost reading one of the latest publications of AEGEE. But that wasn't meant to be as the young lady asked "Hi, Are you in AEGEE ?" A moment of surprise came in. I was sure she didn't knew me but she recognised the publication, she recognised AEGEE !!
As we went into conversation I smiled at how life can sometimes turnout more interesting than we ever expect. Two secretary generals of AEGEE-Valletta had to meet up on the same plane, book a seat next to each other without even knowing each other.
...And that's how my trip to Maastricht started.
After four and half hours travelling, finally I arrived in Maastricht. The city that saw the birth of the European Union. The city that is the centre of education, tradition, history and culture.
As I got out of the train station and met Lisa, I started orienting myself to this Dutch city. A small city in the south of Holland. I was there to represent AEGEE at the Student Forum Maastricht titled 'Drafting the European Vision'.
..and we actually did. It was an interesting week full of workshops, debates and lectures mixed with cultural tours, beer tasting, partying and amongst all meeting amazing people which now I call friends.
euch.
Magical AEGEE moments
Swish…Swish… was the sound made by my big ballroom skirt whilst I was walking down the majestic stairs of a palace holding on to a handsome Spanish dressed as a general. I could not believe it…I was dressed in a 19th century cream and greenish ball gown with a corset so tight that I could barely breathe, silk elbow length gloves and a matching feathered hat. I felt like cinderella with the only advantage that when the clock strikes midnight the party is still going on. This magical moment was one of the many experienced in this AEGEE Winter University entitled ‘Come on Baby Light my Winter’ held in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The Maltese foursome set off for this wintery paradise with luggages over the 20kilo limit and feeling obese with multiple layers of clothes…this is so since none of us has ever experienced a -21 degrees celcius temperature so we made sure we were prepared. Indeed myself and Jeanella gasped unbelievably when for the very first time we felt the Moscow coldness as soon as we set our foot off the plane, and mind you… we did not set our foot outside but inside a tunnel….so we were terrified at the idea of going outside. However, there we were greeted by Irina, one of the many cute female organisers, who literally packed us like sardines in her car -4 oversized lugagges and 4 oversized handluggages plus 5 people….you can imagine….I still feel sorry for Pierre since he was the one with his leg tangled and me on top of it.
Both in Moscow and in St. Petersburg what we experienced was something out of this world…we could not stop smiling for the whole ten days. First of all, I never saw snow in my life and then suddenly i’m immersed in a white world where everything is frozen and snow flakes are falling…all I wanted to do was throw myself in the snow and roll like a tazmanian devil in it. Moreover the other aegee participants were great and had a good time with them…both when we were out sightseeing and also when we were partying in the hostel or in the club.
Moscow has beautiful buildings such as the famous red square with St. Basil’s chathedral but St. Petersburg also has its share of magnificent buildings amongst them being the Hermitage (Winter Palace), and St. Isaac’s. Moreoever we participated in the carnival festivities called ‘Maslenitsa’ where the ‘cuccelo’ (scarecrow) is burnt as a symbol of the end of winter and the beginning of new life that is spring. In these ten days we felt throughly russian both in traditions, eating habits, drinking habits (voooooodkkkkkaaa- which is extremely cheap from there along with cigarettes for the smokers) as well as enjoying life, the coldness and the partying russian style.
This small story of my experience is just the tip of the ice berg since I believe that one has to go him/herself on such events to truly enjoy the AEGEE spirit…indeed words are failing me now, maybe also because it is 1.00am and I had a long day, but I could not wait to tell my experience which makes me smile involuntarily when I remember about it….I just know i’m going back but this time in Summer!
CU Around in Europe
Liz
Back from the travelling life
Hey 
Here I am again ! Finally, phew, exams are over ! It’s been hardly 20 hours since I heaved a huge sigh of relief as I wrote the final full stop of my last exam for this semester. And I still can’t believe it. From my side, I must say that I did quite well. I hope the same goes for all those of you reading this blog :))
I must say I’m in love with the post-exams feeling. That feeling of being able to wake up late after so many weeks of waking up to the horrible sound of the alarm clock early morning. Or of waking up to the smell of coffee to try and get your brain working again in the early hours when half the world is still asleep. I’m in love with the feeling of being able to wake up at any hour without feeling guilty. Of finally being able to go out without any time restrictions or thoughts of the pile of scribbled-on papers waiting for you at home. Of actually devoting some time to yourself to feel and look great. And of finally being able to devote myself fully to AEGEE-Valletta. Yes, I simply love it.
Yet this time round, the post-exam period for me is even greater than ever before. Tomorrow, Friday 5th, barely 36 hours after my last exam, I’ll be on my way to Russia on an AEGEE event !! To be quite frank, I’m viewing it more as a challenge than as a normal ‘holiday’ !! With temperatures currently around -25 degrees in Russia, I think the best thing that can happen in this event is the feeling of satisfaction of having survived through such, well inhumane I must say, temperatures and coming back to Malta alive :))
But of course, I also can’t wait to have a great time not only with the other participants from all over Europe [around 15 countries according to the organisers ], but also with the other 3 AEGEE-Valletta members [Liz - current President, Pierre - ex President, Andrew - Active member] who will all be on their way to Russia in less than 24 hours !!
I will definitely keep you updated with the progress of the Maltese group in Russia ! Goodluck with any remaining exams you might have!
If you’re jealous that I’ll be going to Russia, don’t be. Just check out www.aegee.org/events and you too could be on your way to a great European city sometime soon
Keep well !
Jeanella
TGI Friday !
Wow. I’ve just realised. It’s Thursday !!! I can’t believe another week is nearly over. Phew.
Anyone in his right senses will agree with me that the weekend, in itself, is something to look forward to. Even if there’s nothing planned. Just waking up that tad bit later (or VERY late in my case 
) makes one realise that the best things in life really ARE free.
But this weekend for us AEGEEans is special. Tomorrow for the first time we will be celebrating the birthday of someone very very special to all of us - AEGEE-Valletta itself !!! On 2 November AEGEE-Valletta in fact turned 12, and we’ll be celebrating this very special day tomorrow, together the AEGEE-Valletta Alumni who have worked a lot in the past years to make AEGEE-Valletta what it is today!
Mmmm.. can’t wait !!
Jeanella
Trying to get used to the world of blogging !!
Ok, I must admit, I’m totally new to this new blogging era. I never quite got the point of it all; with Facebook taking up a lot of my time (especially during study periods, of course. . ) I always preferred to simply update my status, comment on his and her album or simply read every single status of my 500 or so friends and then gossip about them later !!
So what takes me to the world of blogging? Getting bored of Facebook? Maybe. . or Possibly, rather ! Want you AEGEE-Valletta members to get to know us better? Definitely.
Over the years (not that I’ve been in AEGEE for a decade, so perhaps saying ‘in the 2 years I’ve been in AEGEE’ would be more accurate . . I’ve noticed that communication between the PEOPLE in the board (cos we are real people after all, not mere ‘President’ and ‘Human Resources Responsible’) and the PEOPLE who also happen to be AEGEE-Valletta members (we understand you are real people too has not been quite optimal, to put it nicely. I therefore seriously hope that this blog will help you get to know us just a little bit better, at least.
And after writing these 2 paragraphs or so, I’ve realised that I’m actually starting to enjoy the ‘world’ of blogging !!!
Well I seriously hope this blog will serve the purpose of helping you get to know us better; perhaps we can also keep you company in those never-ending days and weeks just before exams
That’s all for now; I promise I’ll be back soon !!
Happy new blogger,
Jeanella
a couple of hours later.. the result.. my 2nd press release :D
Is it heaven? Is it hell? Where should I go? And the credits, what about them? Are they really transferred? And what about the credits my colleagues will do whilst I am abroad?! And then there is the funding problem: Will they be enough?? Is it safe to go alone, in a country I have never visited before? And for so long?! Sure it will be fun but what if I get lonely?? And the language.. Will I cope if I don’t even speak their language? If you ever thought about ERASMUS, these thoughts have probably crossed your mind… and not just once!
If you are thinking about going for ERASMUS, are simply interested or have already been on an ERASMUS programme, then AEGEE-Valletta would like to invite you for a debate, entitled “Exploring ERASMUS”. Since its foundation, in 1985, AEGEE still considers the foundation of ERASMUS programme in 1987 as one of its largest achievements. As it lobbied for the initiation of the programme back in 1987, AEGEE still fights for the rights of ERASMUS students today.
Hence, this debate was chosen as one of our main events during University of Malta’s Organisation’s week. The debate will be held on Wednesday 11thNovember at 10am at the University Quadrangle. Whilst being chaired by Ms. Anna Abela, the debate’s panel will include 2 students, one who is currently on an ERASMUS programme in Malta, and another Maltese student who has been on an ERASMUS programme in the past, UOM international Office representatives and Parliament Secretary of Sport Youth and Culture Hon Clyde Puli. Other tentative speakers include representatives from EUPA.
Thus, if you have questions about ERASMUS running through your mind, don’t let them bother you any longer. On the 11th of November, make sure you will be at the quadrangle at 10am. With people who have experienced ERASMUS and also representatives from the main organisations in charge of the programme, this is the best place to get your answers.
In addition to “Exploring Erasmus”, during Organisation’s week AEGEE-Valletta will also be organising an International night and two info meetings (where you can learn what AEGEE is all about). For further information about AEGEE, and the types of local and international events we organise, please email us on info@aegee-valletta.org.
Nella
just warming up my fingers…
hello everyone.. mm nice to see we have our own blog haha.. some other place for me to write on between press releases, news letters, work reports etc etc hahaha (AEGEE really does get me back in the university spirit. lol )..
anyway, acccidently in the middle of thinking about this thing I have to write and the other… and dreaming about my next flight (which will take me to the Netherlands) the following thought crossed my mind.. esp to liz.. did you realize that the initials PR stand also for Press Release??????
Ps: looking forward for this evening’s interview liz.. i get to take out all my nerves on you.. be prepared.. not all questions are easy 
:P you guys will get to read them in november’s newsletter 
sorry i just needed to get in writing mode before starting some serious stuff.. hehehe
TC all you luvly ppl (with or without, flowers in your hair).. cu tonight
Nella
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