When Dušan Milošević first considered becoming a host to an international intern, it was completely normal for doubts to creep in. The idea of someone he didn't know staying in his apartment for several weeks felt like a huge step outside his comfort zone. Yet once that decision is made, few people ever regret it, and Dušan's experience in the Global Host program confirms exactly that.
Through this program, Dušan had the opportunity to host interns from Panama, Kenya, and Hong Kong. Each experience was special in its own way, some intense and emotional, others calmer and different from what he expected, but every single one brought something new and worth remembering.
The first experience that changed his perspective
The first intern Dušan hosted was Jose from Panama, who spent six weeks in Serbia. Since Jose was himself an active AIESEC member, conversations about the organization, leadership, culture, and life flowed naturally. Before meeting him, Panama had been nothing more than a point on the map for Dušan, but through their daily conversations, it turned into a story, a culture, and a genuine friendship.
Together they went ice skating, where Jose saw snow and ice for the very first time in his life, and they played ultimate frisbee, Jose's national sport, sharing moments that, as it turned out, left a lasting impression. The goodbye at the airport was deeply emotional, because by then Jose was no longer just an intern, but a true friend. Two years later, they're still in touch.
Every story is different
The next experience, with an intern from Kenya, looked completely different. He was more reserved, deeply focused on his master's degree and the business he was building, and at first Dušan thought their connection wouldn't be the same as it had been with Jose. Yet that very difference taught him an important lesson: closeness doesn't always have to look the same.
Their conversations about moving to Europe, his work, and his future plans were just as meaningful. Together they tried rakija and went ice skating, and in return, he brought a piece of his own culture, traditional dishes and bread, prepared right in Dušan's apartment. This experience captures the true essence of the Global Host program: it's not just about food or activities, it's about stories, customs, and moments shared with someone from a completely different part of the world.
When five days is enough to leave a deep impression
With the intern from Hong Kong, the time they spent together was much shorter, just five days. Still, it was enough for conversations about history, geography, politics, and differences in ways of thinking. Although he seemed closed off at first, he gradually opened up, and those conversations left a mark even on people within Dušan's wider circle of friends.
This part of the story highlights something important: you don't need months with someone for a genuine connection to form.
Why the Global Host program is worth it
The greatest value of this experience, Dušan says, lies precisely in the uncertainty. You never know in advance whether a conversation will turn toward history, business, or personal topics rarely shared with someone from another culture. That's exactly where the beauty of the program lies: it's not just about providing accommodation, it's about letting a piece of the world into your own home.
Through these relationships, you discover just how much borders really are just lines on a map, while human needs, fears, and dreams remain similar no matter where we come from. Thanks to the Global Host program, Dušan now has friends in Panama, Hong Kong, and Kenya, people he can always reach out to, and places where he'd always have somewhere to stay.
Global Host is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to experience something different, meet people from all over the world, and broaden their own perspective on life. You never know in advance what this experience will bring you, but that's exactly where its true value lies.
