BOONE—Some 300 university students representing more than 35 countries participated in the Iberoamerican Leadership Congress held in Barcelona, Spain. Only four students from the United States attended the conference, three of whom were from Appalachian State University.

The Leadership Congress focused on the Iberoamerican region, which includes Latin American countries, the United States and Spain. It was hosted by AIESEC, the International Association of Students in Economics and Commerce. AIESEC is the largest student organization in the world. It helps young people discover and develop their potential so as to have a positive impact on society.

Appalachian State University students Max Zulauf, left, Leah Farias, and Sarah Green, far right, represented the United States at the Iberoamerican Leadership Congress’ Global Village. They are pictured with Naoufel Testaouni, a member of the AIESEC United States’ national staff. (photo submitted)

Appalachian students Leah Farias, Sarah Green and Max Zulauf are members of the Appalachian chapter of AIESEC. Farias is a junior majoring in international business. She participated in a study abroad program in Spain spring semester. Green is a senior accounting and international business major. Zulauf is a senior international business major. He participated in a study abroad program in Belgium this spring.

Green was one of the founders of the Appalachian chapter of AIESEC. She served as co-president while studying abroad in Alicante, Spain. “I am proud that Appalachian was well represented at the congress,” she said. “It was an amazing learning experience and a great way to expand our global networks. I now have lasting friendships with people from all over the world.”

Green will serve as the executive director of the Appalachian AIESEC chapter upon her return to the states this fall. She said the conference provided her with an opportunity to find and match Appalachian chapter members with internships in represented countries, which is a service that AIESEC provides to its student members.

The first two days of the conference focused on corporate social responsibility and consisted of seminars, group sessions and discussions with participating companies.

The conference also included leadership development seminars in which all participants were able to reflect, analyze and plan ways to strengthen their local communities in their home countries.

The conference enabled the students to develop leadership competencies, network, experience diversity and align with the AIESEC’s global strategy.

The Appalachian students paid their own way to attend the conference, including their accommodations, meals, registration fees and flights. To help defray expenses for future students, Green hopes to partner with local and national organizations.

AIESEC-US was founded in 1956 as a not-for-profit organization to promote cultural understanding and international cooperation. Since that time, AIESEC-US has grown to include more than 1,500 community members in more than 40 U.S. cities. The acronym AIESEC is derived from a French phrase that loosely translates to International Association of Students in Economics and Commerce.

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