In the words of LIYSF’s Director, Richard Myhill, “LIYSF may hold science in its name, but it holds people in its heart”. Truly, it was not the amazing lectures, nor the ‘food’, nor even the summer sun that made the forum, but rather the people.

More than 500 extraordinarily diverse people representing more than 70 countries, living, laughing and experiencing the wonder of LIYSF and the UK together. To me, meeting the people attending was probably the best bit - eating with them, sharing endless jokes, laughter, food and sleepless nights together has formed strong bonds that transcend national boundaries, and has left me able to travel the world by sleeping on couches.

T he Science was also incredible to learn about and partake in. I return to school even more enthused about my future career in Science and more aware of the manifold career paths that but await our presence. The lectures, talks, and visits headed by brilliant and engaging Scientists was nothing short of inspiring, and there was never a talk that didn't blow me away. From Prof. Sophie Scott’s astounding lecture on the ‘Science of Laughter’ to Recycling Drugs. Prof. Clare Elwell’s research on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as applied in Biomedical Physics, the atomically sharp probes featured in Prof. Philip Moriarty’s “Bit from It” lecture on manipulating chemical bonds (with novel questions Prof Moriarty was impressed at, and that were noted down for future research). Erik Szabo’s ‘Dawn of the Living Chemicals’, to the visits including the Zoology Department at Oxford, Chemical Engineering at Imperial College and hearing, in my opinion, the best talk of the forum: ‘Four Adventures and a Hero’ (alas, no explosives) by Mark Shuttleworth. Although not a professor, Mark’s passion and drive has seen him involved in many adventures, including the creation of Ubuntu and a trip to the ISS as a Cosmonaut - all stemming from a chance interaction with a piece of mathematics in Cape Town.

But what really surprised me was the sheer ingenuity and brilliance displayed at the Science Bazaar. In the words of a fellow participant, “I couldn't believe I was among people my age - a lot of the work was honestly just incredible, and far beyond anything I could have conceived”. I felt honoured to be amongst such company, presenting my CREST Project on Manuka and sharing a little slice of NZ with the world.

The benefits of meeting and befriending such a distinctive range of upcoming and enthusiastic Scientists have been amazing, and will be more so in the future. Science is increasingly an interdisciplinary field, incorporating greatly varied fields into unique research, and everyone I have met has been able to bring something different to the table, something unique to them that will undoubtedly clarify and solve some of our most challenging issues.

Thanks must go to the Staffies, for ensuring the slick running of what must be a nightmare to organise, and to the Royal Society Te Apārangi for selecting me as a delegate for this unrivaled opportunity and for their financial assistance. Thanks also to everyone else who made this trip possible, including the people at home and King’s High School (including the Student Council) for supporting me there and back, and after the experience. 

Liam Hewson