Emile: Poster Day, Opening Banquet, and delicious snacks!
The day has been full of poster presentations and the opening banquet (different from the opening ceremony)! With an early morning rising for the first session, we got to talk to a number of judges about our projects and see the variety of delegations in full. One of the most interesting things was seeing not only what kind of scientific questions other countries are asking, but also how these countries are writing about and presenting their discoveries. Some of the most interesting presentations I saw were a Chinese electronic car which was able to drive through any terrain, a Danish math project relating to chaotic and non-chaotic differential equations, and an Italian created bioplastic made from the recycling of natural food waste. With a diverse set of categories and projects, the poster fair really was an opportunity to see projects from around the world.
One thing I’ve learned today has been a greater discovery of who I am as a mono-lingual American. The languages being thrown around me make me realize, now more than ever, that I must become fluent in something beyond English. Communicating with people is integral to the sharing of ideas, backgrounds, and even simple conversations. In the U.S., you are A-okay just knowing English, but once you step foot outside of the country, it won’t serve you in the same ways. Additionally, people’s interest in the United States is something to take note of. I was able to have a couple discussions about the landmark states, New York, Florida, Texas, California, but also more deeper conversations about the political party divisions and the education system. Being able to talk to someone from the Czech Republic about the differences in your education and how research and science are institutionalized in their country is an experience I don’t think I’ll be able to get anywhere else. All in all, today has been a great day. I got to spend much more time with foreign delegations and got to meet some incredible researchers and scientists from around the world. Also, enjoying Chinese snacks has been great!
