Why You Should Do It - Chicago Ideas Week

Have you ever been surrounded by such a passionate and motivating group of people that you can actually feel the electrifying energy all around you? That feeling you get when you hear a speech so powerful, so moving, that it sends chills down your arms, and causes tears to form in the corner of your eyes, tears that you can’t quite figure out how to hold back.

I give you Chicago Ideas Week (CIW).

CIW is an inspiring and thought-provoking annual gathering of global leaders brought together to encourage innovation and change. The goal is to challenge Chicagoans to connect, innovate, and turn ideas into actionable results that positively impact the community.

Yes, there are thousands of conferences that bring together talented people, so what’s so different about CIW?

CIW connects the city of Chicago with inspiring leaders for a very low cost. Events are priced at $15 each, and anyone can purchase them – no fancy membership needed - making access to information more feasible. If $15 per event is out of your budget, or if you simply want to be part of the action, you can sign up as a volunteer and get all the knowledge you can handle, at no cost!

Volunteering for CIW last year was one of the highlights of my six month stay in Chicago. As a volunteer, I was able to meet so many great people that are just as eager to learn and be inspired as I am.  We listened to tremendous thought leaders share their stories and electrify thousands of people in Chicago.

Here are a few highlights of my CIW experience. 

IBM's David Bartlett speaking at Cities: Concrete Solutions

CIW Talks

Last year’s CIW hosted incredible minds, from bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell to Apollo 11 Astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin, designer and philanthropist Donna Karan, to seven-time NBA All-Star, and Blue Devil extraordinaire Grant Hill. Explorers, professors, astrophysicists, ambassadors, CEOs, philanthropists, entrepreneurs; the list goes on and on. What these speakers all had in common was an immeasurable passion for their craft, an ability to empower, and the desire to make a meaningful impact on the Chicago community.



Building an Army of Citizen Scientists by +Gregg Treinish

Gregg Treinish taught us that passions and hobbies can change the world in the most unimaginable ways. Gregg walked for 667 days from Papallacta, Ecuador to Tierra Del Fuego in the Southern tip of Argentina. Yes, you read that right, walked. Although his perseverance and drive are beyond admirable, that’s not what inspired me most about Gregg’s story. Gregg found a way to turn his love for the outdoors into a way to make the world a better place. 

Gregg founded Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, an organization that equips adventurers with the tools to collect and preserve data for environmental researchers and scientists. Now he, along with hundreds of explorers worldwide, get to do what they love, while making the world a better place, one sample at a time. Gregg's ability to turn his passion into a way to contribute to our society is commendable. His story has challenged me to evaluate how I could turn the things that I enjoy into ways of giving back to my community.

Stand Up for Hip-Hop by +Toni Blackman

Highly respected artist and entrepreneur, Toni Blackman, is the first Hip Hop

artist selected to work as a Cultural Ambassador with the U.S. Department of State. Toni uses her outstanding musical abilities to uplift, encourage social responsibility, and to help others share their message across the globe.

During her CIW Talk, Toni gave insight on her art residency in the Congo. She, along with a Congolese hip hop leader, coordinated with native artists to create a public service announcement that raised awareness about the appalling rate of violence against women, who are used as war weapons in the Congo. Toni utilizes a medium that is relatable and contagious to spread thought-provoking ideas and raise awareness. A quick look at her work will convince you of that.

One of the many perks of being a CIW volunteer is often getting to interact with the speakers. While setting up for her book signing, I was able to speak with Ms. Blackman.

For a while, I’ve felt that I should be contributing to the bigger picture, helping others in some way; I just haven’t figured out what my "medium" should be. Toni asked me a series of questions that forced me to be very honest with myself. I realized how passionate I am about creating accessible means of education, about empowering through knowledge, and about helping others improve their self esteem and understand their worth.

The most important thing Toni taught me is that although right now I don’t know exactly what my contribution will be, or how I can make the biggest impact, I can’t sit still, that won’t give me any answers. I need to go out into the world and try something, and then try something else, until I find my passion, and figure out my very own way of making a difference. And that’s exactly what I have been working towards.

No matter the medium, passion is contagious. If you are passionate about a cause, work on it, and start getting others passionate about it too.

More CIW Fun

There were so many other CIW Talks that I found impactful, and addressed very important issues that not only affect the city of Chicago, but issues that we are facing worldwide. Here are a few other CIW Talks I enjoyed:

Cities: Concrete Solutions

Witness: I Changed History

Explorers: Choose Your Own Adventure

The Show Must Go On

Unfortunately, this year I won't be able to attend CIW, since I am living in Mexico, but I will be sure to catch the Talks as soon as they are posted online! 

There are so many aspects to Chicago Ideas Week that it is sure to have something for everyone! As you can see, I had an amazing experience volunteering for CIW and I am an advocate of what they are working to accomplish.

Chicago Ideas Week 2014 has been scheduled from October 13th to the 19th, and the lineup is as great as expected. For a complete schedule, visit Chicago Ideas Week.

To join all the fun backstage and be a part of such an excellent movement, become a volunteer! There are so many ways to get involved.

And if you're feeling a series case of FOMO (fear of missing out), you can find a complete list of past chats and get caught up on all the fun.

Here are more shots of my CIW experience:

CIW Volunteers

Cartoonist Ed Piskor

With comedian Niecy Nash after "Comedy:It's Funny 'Cause It's True"

CIW Volunteers with comedian Kelly Oxford

Fitz and the Trantrums at the CIW after party

Cheek Held High

For my first ever blog post, I’ll share a story that hopefully shows what Detours is meant to be. I most definitely do not have it all figured out, but I’m putting myself out there, sharing the lessons I learn along the way, and remembering to laugh at myself when things get a little messy. Enjoy!

As you may already know, Latin American cultures are known for greeting others by giving them a kiss on the cheek. I was born in Venezuela, so this isn't news to me. What I didn't know was that this greeting also extends to the workplace, at least in Mexico.

I am on an international work assignment that has taken me to the beautiful Mexico City for six months.  As I was introduced to my new coworkers during my first day on the job, I firmly stretched my hand, ready to give the “I’m confident, hard working, and ready to do great things” handshake that we've all practiced so much. They weren't having it. Every person I extended my hand to either ignored it and went for a kiss on the cheek, or we engaged in this awkward handshake cheek-dance thing.

I must have met at least 30 people in a matter of 60 minutes. Eventually I had figured out the greeting and was walking around like a pro. If only it would have taken me a little longer to pick up…

I made my way down the hall and was introduced to another person in the office. Being the natural greeter than I had become (10 minutes prior), I led with my cheek. Turns out, this wasn't just another greeting – this was my boss’s boss’s boss. You know, the guy running the show. Apparently, you don’t lead with your cheek when you meet the guy running the show. The moment I stepped back, I instantly knew I had done something odd; everyone had gone dead silent. Mortified, all I could do was laugh, and while blushing my face off, I frankly told him that this whole greeting thing was still confusing to me. Turns out, he’s a pretty cool guy. We laughed it off and continued meeting people while I tried to hide the embarrassment on my face. That’s the moment I decided I needed to learn the culture, and I needed to do it quickly before I unknowingly embarrassed myself in a bigger way.

Do you remember the first time that you had dinner at your boyfriend or girlfriend’s house? Remember how aware you were of every single move you made? Think back to how careful you were to not say anything offensive or accidentally drop the f-bomb when you did something totally embarrassing. Even with all the nerves, you sat on the edge of your seat, listening to every word, learning as much as you could about this new family, attempting to charm the parentals, while simultaneously trying not to piss off the brother or sister. You kept an open mind, and hoped with all your heart that they did they same. I bet you remember that day like it was yesterday!

That’s how I can best describe what first coming into a new culture can feel like. It can be uncomfortable, and you may possibly insult someone unknowingly, but more often than not, you’ll get the hang of it in no time! Here are a few tips to get you on your way to being an expert in your new home away from home.

While working or studying abroad, it is so important to be observant. Note how people interact with each other; are their conversations brief and to the point, or do they take time to talk about personal matters before asking for a favor? A meal can tell you so much about a culture. Do people take their time during lunch breaks, do they go for walks together after their meals, or are they eager to get back to work?

Be aware of colloquialism, this one can get you in trouble! My “Venezuelan Spanish” is very different than the Spanish spoken in Mexico, and already more than a few times, I've stuck my foot in my mouth. I could have never imagined that the Venezuelan phrase for “what do you feel like having for lunch” could be misconstrued as something completely inappropriate to ask your friends in Mexico. Oops.

Your favorite high school class is back! Make sure to brush up on the country’s history, as well as their political and economic condition. This will help you understand a lot of the situations you may find yourself in during your stay. When you walk into Starbucks for your weekly dose of Very Berry Hibiscus you may very well find an armed, bullet proof vest-wearing cop hanging out by the barristas. This unusual situation for you could be that country’s normal. Be very aware of safety issues and try to blend in.

Be observant, learn, and then learn some more. As a guest in a new country, it’s important to take the time to understand the culture. Not only will you benefit from this new knowledge, but people will be more receptive to you once you embrace their traditions. You’ll have a lot more fun when your new friends are taking you to all the local spots (sans your neon fanny pack).

During your amazing experience abroad, be open-minded and learn to laugh at yourself when you do mess something up. It won’t always be easy, but it will sure make for a great adventure so embrace it, and learn to love every minute of it, because it will be over before you know it. And if you ever feel embarrassed, remember that one girl who kissed her boss’s boss’s boss on the first day on the job – hopefully that will cheer you up.

Here are a few pictures from my first couples of weeks exploring Mexico City. I hope to share more (hopefully less embarrassing) stories during my six months here!