Expanding Horizons: International Networking for Core Team Members

Bogdan Radosavljevic
Google for Developers EMEA
3 min readOct 18, 2023

Your network is your net worth.” — Porter Gale

The Power of Global Connections 🌎

A little over a month ago, our club received a message from the leader of GDSC PLM from the Philippines. They had discovered our club through social media and expressed a keen interest in collaborating on a software project. We had the chance to meet some incredible people from a different part of the world, learn something new, and immerse ourselves in their culture. It was an eye-opener for us, highlighting the potential of global networking.

Taking International Networking to the Next Level 💡

The idea was born. We wanted to extend this opportunity to every Core Team member. We envisioned a program that would connect Core Team members from different clubs who share similar roles. Our goal was to enable them to build international friendships, exchange knowledge related to their positions, and practice their English language skills. Each Core Team member could use this International Networking opportunity once a year, and the entire experience was tailored to be personal and enriching.

The Steps to Networking 🤝🏼

1. Selecting Your Networking Partners: We encourage our Core Team members to be creative and imaginative in choosing the clubs they’d like to connect with. The world is your oyster, and networking shouldn’t be limited to technical topics only. Whether you’re curious about Paris’ cultural richness, the mesmerizing northern lights in Europe, or the work culture in the Netherlands, explore it all.

2. Coordinating with GDSC Leads: The responsibility falls on our Core Team members to approach us a few days in advance to notify us of their interest in using the International Networking opportunity. They also have to compile a list of clubs they wish to connect with, and we, as Leads, will reach out to the appropriate Leads of those clubs.

3. Setting the Meeting Agenda: The beauty of International Networking lies in the freedom it offers. Core Team members have the flexibility to define the meeting’s agenda, its duration, and the topics to be discussed. Topics could range from self-introductions to sharing experiences in their roles, insights into club operations, and plenty of informal chatter.

The Enthusiasm of Our Core Team

We are absolutely thrilled to share that our Core Team members have embraced this idea with open arms. Their enthusiasm and excitement about the potential of global networking have been truly inspiring. Connecting with peers from different parts of the world has been a profound experience for them. We represent GDSC University of Belgrade, which I lead with my dear colleague Vanja.

Now, we invite you to join us in this incredible journey. We encourage you to explore the possibilities of international networking, connect with like-minded individuals, and broaden your horizons.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this initiative. Feel free to leave a comment below and share your insights. Let’s start a conversation and keep the inspiration flowing. ❤️

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