Damansara Chapter State Level Interviews

My first time volunteering with a large group of AFS-ers, as we like to call ourselves ;) was during the state level interviews held by the Damansara Chapter was definitely a memorable one. The interview was held to choose the next batch of our 'mini ambassador' for Malaysia.

Just in case many of you are wondering, let me tell you generally about AFS. Its a non-govermental, non-profit organization that offers student exchange programs for youths and they also offer 'Educators Program" for people in the education line. So, every year AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia sends more than 150 students abroad for year, semester and short term programs (including programs that focus on language study and community service), and welcomes more than 50 exchange students from other countries to Malaysia.

If you're keen to know more about the programs and their T&C'S, visit their FB athttps://www.facebook.com/afsmas or you can also go to http://www.afsmas.org/
Now, back to my experience. It was great seeing my old friends after such a long time as we've been really busy with the usual stuff..school, work, school, work...It was also a pleasure getting to know new returnees (a term used to refer to students who have gone abroad and then obviously, returned to tanah tumpahnya darahku).

A day before the interview, all returnees had to gather at the Chapter's president house to do some last minute preparations before the big day. We finalized on the next days activity, which included games, briefings and also discussions. The interviewers were also super busy preparing themselves on how to 'grill' the students *jokes*..AFS seniors are really really nice, I've learnt alot from them since coming back from Japan.   

Then comes Saturday!! We started off really early, around 7a.m, preparing the venue and welcoming fellow students and parents. Volunteers and students were divided into five groups. Then, the day started! While students were called into the interview rooms, volunteers conducted ice-breakers and games. In between games, we had a couple of session where students were given the opportunity to express themselves and why they choose to go on a student exchange program. We also threw in a couple of 'energizers' like Funky Chicken to recharge our batteries. 

Then, at 5 pm, after all the interviews were conducted, the day finally ended. After all the students had gone back, us hardworking volunteers once again rearranged everything, from the chairs to the tables to the way it was and made sure there was no rubbish left behind :) We also had to reflect back on the day and make suggestions to further improve our interview session for the following year. 

So all in all, needless to say, it was surely a tiring but definitely an enjoyable and unforgettable day. Can't wait to volunteer again next year.

Students listening intently to a briefing conducted by one of the volunteers.

Get on the floor babyy! Yeap, that was one of our games!

The awesome volunteers. Such nice people, excited to meet them again :)