A recap of the previous episode: The AOTULE Student Conference in Bandung, Indonesia, was a whirlwind of academic collaboration, cultural exploration, and spicy food adventures. From group presentations to sightseeing and enjoying traditional performances, the experience was both enriching and unforgettable. With little rest after returning to Tokyo on November 9, 2024, I swapped suitcases and immediately set off for the second part of my journey—New Zealand.
Chapter 2: fib Symposium in New Zealand
Due to our (alleged) hard work and perseverance in the lab, my lab mates and I were set to present our research work at the fib Symposium 2024, an international conference focusing on resilient concrete structures. This conference took place from November 11-13, 2024, in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The trip was off to a rough start — I got a terrible migraine during the flight, likely due to fatigue. After an agonizing 13-hour plane ride to Auckland, followed by another layover to Christchurch, we finally arrived at our motel in the afternoon of November 10. Determined not to waste the opportunity, I pushed through the pain and set out to explore the city with my lab mates. We visited several sights, including the Christchurch Cathedral, currently under restoration after being severely damaged in the 2011 earthquake, and the Christchurch Tram, a heritage tram service that takes you around the city.
On the next day (November 11), the conference proper began. The conference was opened with some opening remarks, followed by a traditional haka, a traditional Maori war dance. Traditionally, the haka was used by Maori tribes during war to show strength and intimidate enemies, but it is also used to mark significant events (in this case, a conference).
After watching many interesting presentations (the most interesting of which was my lab mate’s, of course), we ended the day by attending a networking session for young professionals. Feeling major impostor syndrome in an unfamiliar country, my lab mates and I felt quite shy. However, with a little liquid courage, we found the confidence to start conversations. It turned out to be very insightful, as we learned about the life experiences of professionals all around the world. Many social media accounts and business cards were exchanged (remember to follow up with an email after the conference! A short follow-up email helps reinforce the connections you made and keeps the door open for future opportunities. A simple thank-you for the conversation, a question about their work, or a thoughtful message can go a long way in building professional relationships).
After a sleepless night of practicing, the day of my presentation finally arrived (November 12). I felt confident after all the preparation, but life has a way of keeping you humble. I delivered the presentation smoothly, but unfortunately, what followed was the longest and most excruciating Q&A session of my life. For some reason, the presenter after me canceled, making my presentation the last of the session. To make matters worse, with one less presentation, there was a lot of extra time after mine. What was supposed to be a quick two-minute Q&A turned into a grueling 10-minute interrogation. Some of the questions were outside my expectations, and I found myself so stunned that even the chairperson and some audience members stepped in to help and join the discussion. By the end, I felt embarrassed for not being able to answer some of the questions well, but relieved that I managed to respond to the ones I understood. As the presentation finally concluded, many audience members approached me personally to congratulate me on the presentation. They offered valuable comments, insights, and advice for my research. After working for so long on my research and finally sharing it, it was a reassuring and rewarding experience.
My lab mates and I ended the day with a bit of cultural immersion by visiting a local supermarket to shop for souvenirs. It was a fun way to experience New Zealand’s culture and find some unique food items to bring back home. We picked up some world-famous New Zealand cookies, chocolates, and Manuka honey to share when we returned to Japan.
On the next day (November 13), we ate a lot of delicious food. After my other lab mate’s amazing presentation and a delightful lunch, the conference finally came to a close. It was a bittersweet moment—while we were sad that it was over, we were grateful to have had such an experience.
Finally free from our obligations, we set out on a quest to try the local cuisine. We walked a long distance to get some fish and chips, New Zealand’s most popular takeaway food. After the long walk, we headed to a nearby park to rest and enjoy our meal. However, an ominous feeling soon crept over us. Sensing the food from miles away, a flock of birds began to gather at our feet. They stared us down for a moment before suddenly swooping in to snatch our precious fish and chips. But, after such a long walk, we weren’t about to give up our food to some birds. We reacted with lightning-fast reflexes and covered our meal, and after a brief standoff, the birds gave up and flew away.
The final day of our trip (November 14) was free, so we went up to the Christchurch Gondola, a popular tourist attraction offering stunning views of the city and its surrounding plains. The breathtaking scenery provided the perfect way to wrap up our trip, allowing us to relax and reflect on the memorable experiences of the past few days.
That evening, we boarded the flight back to Japan, thus concluding my journey of attending back-to-back conferences in Indonesia and New Zealand.
Chapter 3: Conclusion
Attending these conferences was a whirlwind of challenges and growth, but the unexpected moments made it truly unforgettable. Some takeaways from the experience:
On unexpected challenges and unpredictable moments – Life is full of surprises. From unexpectedly spicy meals to tough Q&A sessions and food-snatching birds, surprises seem to be an inevitable part of the experience. Navigating through these unexpected hurdles teaches us resilience and humility. Moreover, these unplanned events make the journey all the more memorable.
On the value of a wider perspective – It’s easy to get absorbed in one’s research and hole up in the laboratory. However, to grow as a researcher, it’s important to have many different life experiences outside of the lab. Exploring new cultures, meeting with students and professionals from around the world, and experiencing different environments can give us fresh perspectives and remind us that research isn’t confined to the laboratory — it’s about sharing our work to the world, and building meaningful connections along the way.
