Trainings are one of the passion of Sandra Geldmacher. The former Secretary of the AEGEE-Academy and project manager of the relatively new training initiative ProTrain joined Les Anciens a few ones months ago. Sandra Geldmacher was also board member of AEGEE-Passau and AEGEE-Konstanz as well as External PR manager of the project Yourope Needs You. Currently she is self-employed and lives in Konstanz, but you can also meet her frequently at AEGEE trainings all over Europe.
Golden Oldie: When and where were you born?
Sandra Geldmacher: I was born in 1984 in Korbach, Germany.
Golden Oldie: Where and what did you study?
Sandra Geldmacher: First is studied European Studies in Passau, where I made my Bachelor, then I made a Master in Public Policy and Administration in Konstanz.
Golden Oldie: When did you join AEGEE and how?
Sandra Geldmacher: I joined AEGEE about seven years ago. I went to AEGEE-Passau’s local information evening with a friend of mine. The next day, I found myself distributing posters and flyers for AEGEE, and a week later I joined an exchange. Two or three months later, I was elected a board member and already addicted to AEGEE.
Golden Oldie: Are you still member? If yes, of which antenna?
Sandra Geldmacher: Yes! I am still a member of AEGEE Konstanz – and of the AEGEE-Academy.
Golden Oldie: You are best known for being Academy board member and ProTrain project manager. How did you end up doing that?
Sandra Geldmacher: Hmm, after being a member of the Academy for a couple of months, I was looking for another challenge, and suddenly, Academy board elections popped up. I decided to candidate and got the chance to work in a wonderful team of great people that managed to give some fresh air to the Academy. During one of our board meetings, we came up with the idea to create a mentoring project for fresh trainers willing to join the Academy, but not yet experienced enough. We wanted to give an opportunity to develop as a trainer to those not able to join a T4T. I then stepped in to develop the project I care a lot about – this is why I remained Project Manager even after leaving the Academy board.
Golden Oldie: What where the biggest challenges and rewards of these tasks?
Sandra Geldmacher: Being in the Academy board brings a lot of challenges ranging from general human resources questions in AEGEE to very concrete problems, for example European School managers spontaneously not being able to join their training. But working in a great team that supports you and that you can rely on is the best reward you can get.
Golden Oldie: What was your favourite AEGEE event?
Sandra Geldmacher: Difficult! I cannot name only one! T4T Sinaia, FUN(d)raising TC in Konstanz, and I still cannot decide which was my favourite Agora or EBM.
Golden Oldie: Which AEGEE member impressed you a lot?
Sandra Geldmacher: There are two: Alexianne Galea, for her great facilitation skills and dedication to AEGEE, and Agnieszka Strycharz, for her great ability to motivate and inspire the human beings around her.
Golden Oldie: Which languages do you speak?
Sandra Geldmacher: German, English, French. I can also say a couple of words in Spanish, Polish and Russian.
Golden Oldie: Where do you live now? What do you like/dislike about your city?
Sandra Geldmacher: I live in Konstanz, Germany. The great thing is: the Lake of Constance is just around the corner. The bad thing is: the connection to the rest of the world.
