How did I end up making it relevant in South Korea

For some of you guys who know me professionally or through social media, you will recognize me as that guy who led the most loved NGO called AIESEC and specifically AIESEC in Korea in 2022–2023.

But, how did I end up spending my whole year developing the country that most people admire because of the many things they have and creating the progress of how I make myself a mature person through all of the challenges and memories there?

Surprise yourself, because in the middle of difficulties always lasts opportunities. -Demi 2023

This quote has become my go-to validation whenever I start to question my direction and purpose in life. Back then, in 2019, I had a chance to attend the coolest conference with the coolest people in it, called the Indonesian Youth Leadership Conference in Yogyakarta. Most importantly, I met one person who came from South Korea, which turns out he is the Country Managing Director of AIESEC in the South Korea Branch for 2019.

In short, he is the one who led the conference with several inspiring sessions, and one of the most memorable things I remember is that he shared the whole story of how he ended up becoming the leader of one of the organizations in South Korea, and what mesmerize me is what comes within. He shared about what is really happening in South Korea, specifically among youth.

What was the first thing that comes out to your mind when you heard about Korea? Kpop? K-Drama? K-food? Skincare? What else?

But then, during the conference, he shared something else and started his session with a question “What effort have you made to understand the context better?”

He shares his point of view from several research on how young people in Korea are really looking for a stable life to get the freedom they aim for. From the whole historical events starting with the Korean War until the present time where we can call the young people as “Surviving Generation”.

When I heard that, I got a totally new point of view about Korea. I wonder what is really happening in the whole society environment till most young people are restricted by what is formed in society's beliefs. Then I came to South Korea in December 2019 and did my project for Global Volunteer Programme.

I worked with several foreigners and students from Dongduk Women's University, to emphasize the importance of our responsibility in taking care of our environment with the students in Jeohyeon Highschool.

For short, we run a project that aims to deliver awareness to society about the importance of taking care of our environment. Frankly speaking, I am the one who learns a lot regarding most of the aspects of the project. Seoul and its people are really good at implementing healthy lifestyles in order to save the environment.

Highlight from my journey that leads me to every lesson in 2020. Ending my project with the chaotic situation of COVID-19 in South Korea was one of the most challenging experiences. But for all, it was really great to have all of the beautiful memories, especially with the people there! My friends! Really miss them!

Two years passed, and I never imagined myself coming back to South Korea for any occasion until I ended up applying myself as the Country Managing Director of AIESEC in Korea 2022–2023. In December 2021, I applied myself as Country Managing Director of AIESEC in Indonesia, but unfortunately, I had to withdraw my application due to a severe disease I suffered back then. Months of desperate moments, thinking that I would never be the person I really wanted to be because of my condition, but suddenly everything got better after two months got the treatment, and my mom said, “If by continue your AIESEC journey, will give you a reason to live your life, then do it.”

I saw that AIESEC in Korea is looking for their Country President and directly applying for it! How’s the process of applying? It was really, really hard. How can I understand the whole context as the presidential candidate where my only experience in South Korea was doing a six weeks volunteering program? But, I think if it is not challenged you, then it is not worth it.

Three months later, in May 2022, I got elected. But I only had two months before I started my term as president. I only have two months to understand this entity and start my term; how?…

I recalled and remembered that I had to humanize the process; the story that was told by the previous president of AIESEC in Korea back then in 2019 was the one that drove my whole vision.

“Make it Relevant for a Better Korea.”

It means that leadership is not about how much you can make your entity grow, but it is about how much you can create something that really matters even for one life.

Maybe I can’t change the whole society in South Korea. But at least, the people in AIESEC Korea can enjoy the most memorable leadership experience in a very safe place to grow, and they can also become the first generation who’s going to be the breakthrough, develop the skill they wish to develop, create impact to the people around you, to Korea and to the world.

Even if only one person feels that way, it is still relevant.

2022–2023, I am honored to move to Seoul, South Korea and serve myself as AIESEC in Korea Country President, and work together with the most beautiful people in my life.

One year passed from 2022 until 2023, trying to make everything we did in the organization become relevant thing for different layers of society. Year of trying to make this organization where you can enjoy the most memorable leadership experience in a very safe place to grow, where you can become the first generation who’s going to be the breakthrough, where you can develop the skill you wish to develop, and where you can create impact to the people around you, to Korea and to the world.

From questioning what makes me fulfilled as a person today. What makes me think that spending my days handling all of this entity’s problems is the good life I strive for.

I don’t know how many times I cried, I laughed, felt motivated, I felt energized, I felt challenged, and many other different emotions. But, that made the whole journey to be the most relevant thing that ever happened in my life and my process of developing myself.

For my MCVPs, Arum, Mely, and Nitansh. For my LCPs from 14 different universities across South Korea, and for more than 400 memberships, I led…

Watching all of you grow as a leader from scratch until the end of my term makes me realize that you guys are the right people to become the sailor of our vision this year, and I am completely grateful for that.

Thank you so much for helping me create a lot of learnings at the end of my 7+ years of AIESEC Journey.

Remember that you have this “free pass of failing.” Use it. Make it worth it.

When you fail, it means you have another problem. Therefore, think again and repeat the same path you have been through before.

“Sometimes, what we really need in life is a free chance to fail without having any judgment from our future. Because when you succeed, you create your future. When you failed, you create your future as well. After all, that’s a good journey”

It is an honor to accept every responsibility I have as the Country President of AIESEC in Korea. I hope that “Make it Relevant” will continue as a beautiful legacy that future generations hold.

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