Written by Yvonne de Mul, IMA Netherlands

I was a new member in 2010 when I planned to attend my first training day in Helsinki. I could never have imagined what a special training day this would become. I did not watch the news before I left so  missed the news about the volcanic eruption In Iceland.

So when we were told that we were the on the last flight leaving from Schiphol we had no idea that it would be the last flight for more than a week. For the organising committee this was a nightmare - no trainers since they were stuck in Italy but they showed what our profession is all about to make it work whatever the circumstances  so they got a replacement trainer at the last moment from Helsinki and we had an amazing training day and did not really notice he had hardly any time to prepare the training session.

Not one of us at that moment was aware that we could not go home that weekend and that all flights were cancelled for an indefinite time.  Then the true spirit of IMA showed itself and we got together to see how we could make it home. So some of us went with the ferry to Stockholm and then by train, some took the ferry and the bus through the Baltic states to get home. 

For me it defined what IMA is all about and have been a dedicated member ever since.

Greetings

Yvonne de Mul (IMA Netherlands)