International Board President of 2022-2023, experienced trainer and all-time dedicated EUROAVIAn, Irina Stoican is always a pleasure to talk to. For this month’s Wingspan Conversations, we are taking a look at her journey in EUROAVIA. From a slow start to a dedication beyond compare, Irina’s story shows how an insecure person can grow into an amazing leader.
From a rocky start to a star trainer
Irina joined EUROAVIA Bucharest in 2017. According to her, it was less of a conscious decision and more about going with the flow. As someone that is somewhat anxious about social gatherings, she was pretty inactive in her first year in the association. In her second year at university, Irina stepped out of her comfort zone and started participating in local events. This included a training event, which sparked her interest in becoming a trainer herself. Therefore, in 2019, she attended her first international event: the Train New Trainers (TNT) in Leuven (to those paying attention, there appears to be a trend…).
This first international event was a milestone in Irina’s life. Though it started as a daunting, nerve-wracking experience, the TNT allowed her to blossom and thrive. In the end, she was happy with the progress she made and the people she met. Furthermore, this experience caused a healthy addiction to EUROAVIA activities.
“On the last day of the TNT, most of us were crying and I remember thinking to myself about how far I had come compared to the first day of the event. Those were tears of joy.”
As a newly anointed trainer, Irina delivered local trainings in Bucharest and internationally at the FoWo 2019 in Sevilla. In 2020 joined the ETS Board, guiding the Working Group through the pandemic by organising online events such as the Odyssey and the online TNT.
Expanding horizons and journey to the top
In autumn 2020, Irina joined the HR Working Group, to get more of a feel for the association outside of the Training System. Moreover, she was part of the taskforces for European Grants and Future & Beyond. As she became more involved, she noticed things about the association that could be improved. With a number of feasible solutions in mind, Irina was eager to help out. Hence, she decided to take the step to apply for the International Board (IB).
By the time Irina became an IB member, she was not the same shy first year student anymore. In fact, she is one of the prime examples of how an association can help someone develop themselves, on a professional and personal level. By participating in activities, making new friends, delivering trainings and organising events, Irina gained valuable skills that made her a great IB candidate. For years, she had doubted her ability to be in a leadership position. However, when the time came to step up, she rose to the occasion and took on the mantle of IB President. This was a moment of surprise for herself, but also something she is very proud of (as she should be).
“Growth is not linear. There will be moments when you feel like you are not advancing or you actually went back to the way you were one year ago, which is not true. But then you will surprise yourself, as I did many times.”
The things we experience along the way
Every International Board has their own challenges, and every member’s experiences are different. Irina had to lead a multigenerational board with a mix of experienced and new members, as well as a midway transition of treasurer. However, she managed this task quite admirably and successfully. In hindsight, the most rewarding project for her is the 5-year plan. This conceptual plan sets a course for EUROAVIA’s long-term future and enables continuity across different IB’s.
Irina’s journey was not only filled with challenges but also with many happy memories and new friends. One such special moment is the last day at her TNT in 2019, which was equally emotional and rewarding. Another happy memory is her IB’s exoneration at the Congress in Sevilla, where she could take a look back and be happy about the work they had done.
“You see how far you have come in one year, as a team and personally, and how much we have accomplished. We also had a beautiful letter from the coordinators that absolutely destroyed me [in the best way]. It was a beautiful event for me, surrounded by friends.”
Most of all, Irina’s story in EUROAVIA is one of growth and acceptance. It’s about finding new friends as much as gaining new skills and self-confidence. Though her time in the association is ending, her heart will always be in the organisation and luckily, we can always count on her support and mentorship when we need it.
To read more stories from the people behind EUROAVIA, check out our other articles.