Hey Everyone! I hope 2024 is going fantastic for you all :)
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me in attending the London International Youth Science Forum last year, as well as my medicine programme at Cambridge University in 2022. Since finishing school, I've been able to reflect on how much these experiences helped me moving forward in my life, none of which would have been possible without the generosity I was shown over these years. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life in the UK and am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped me to achieve this goal - thank you so much.
Here is a recap of my time at LIYSF in 2023 for anyone interested:
This trip has been hugely beneficial for me in many different ways. Not only was the scientific learning beyond what I could have imagined, but the independence this journey brought me was very character-building and increased my self-confidence. I always knew that travelling across the globe on my own would be a new adventure, but I was confident in my abilities and got myself from Invercargill to London with ease. This confidence and skill set I have gained navigating my way through new countries and big crowds solo will surely be very helpful to me moving forward in life.
LIYSF was an event that brought together over 400 students aged 16-21 from around the world to pursue their passion for science. 84 countries were represented there, including 14 New Zealanders, of which I was the only South Islander. Every day was an opportunity to make international connections and learn of different cultures. I loved speaking with new friends about their country, I learned lots about certain Spanish festivals and traditions, schooling systems across Europe and how important music is in a variety of southern African countries. After leaving LIYSF, I am proud of the international network I have built across all continents and I look forward to seeing these friends again one day.
From day one, I was introduced to modern science from a fresh perspective, one that reached beyond what we learn in high schools. I heard lectures from Nobel Prize winners, Dames and leading specialists in their field. Some of these principal lectures covered topics from forensic anthropology, nuclear fusion, optical imaging of the brain, the geological record of time on earth and so much more. They were all fascinating in their different ways and really opened my eyes to the opportunities science offers us.
Then we had specialist lectures and visits. I was able to select these before LIYSF began, so they were catered to each individual’s personal interest. These included spending a day in the life sciences department of the University of Bath learning about cancer treatments and the practical use of stem cells in precision medicine, lectures about neuroendocrinology and the science of ageing which I found particularly interesting as it closely tied in with work experience in neuroendocrinology that I had done at the University of Otago earlier this year. My favourite scientific visit was to the UK Atomic Energy Authority, where they are using nuclear fusion, the process that powers the Sun, as a source of sustainable energy. The most interesting part is that for their reaction to work to the extent they want it to, it must be held at 150 million degrees celsius, making it the hottest place in the solar system. This absolutely blew my mind.
As I said before, sharing our cultures was a big part of this event. A highlight of LIYSF for me was the Traditions of Home evening, which was an opportunity for people to present a performance, presentation, anything really from their countries. It was so much fun to participate in Hungarian circle dances, watch the Spaniards’ hilarious Christmas tradition and joining in with all the Brits singing Wonderwall. However, the best part was our NZ performance. For days, the New Zealanders, many of whom are now my good friends, had banded together to rehearse He hōnore, Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi and a haka to perform. The crowd went wild for us and we were all very proud of our effort to represent our country.
LIYSF has been a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget, I am incredibly grateful to everyone that made this opportunity a reality for me.
