Malin Walpola
Malin Walpola attended the Professor Harry Messel International Science School in 2017. Read his reflections on his return on how the trip introduced him to "myriads of career paths in science".
The Professor Harry Messel International Science School (ISS) provided me with some of the best times in my life. I am certain that the memories and connections I made there will last a very long time and hopefully forever. I am immensely grateful to have experienced the ISS, and for that, I sincerely thank everyone at the Royal Society Te Apārangi who made all this possible for me!
How has attending this event provided you with greater knowledge of available career paths in science and technology?
I think being exposed to hordes of extremely knowledgeable lecturers, professors, scientists, engineers, ISS alumni and many others was the main reason I was able to discover all sorts of career paths in science and technology I had never heard about before. They were all very friendly, passionate, willing to answer anything they had the answers to (they knew the answers to many things!) and they specialised in a surprisingly diverse range of scientific topics. As a result of just hanging around these highly educated people, asking questions, listening in on their conversations with other scholars and attending the lectures some of them gave us, I was able to take in and consider the myriads of career paths in science - I had never heard or thought of before - like a sponge.
How has attending this event enthused or inspired you to pursue science and technology careers?
The focus of ISS 2017 was ‘Future Power’. A glimpse of the future is always awe-inspiring, at least for me! Being able to see the potential certain technologies are capable of reaching and what sort of problems need solving in the future at this science school has not only enthused and inspired me (I was enthused and inspired before), it has motivated me and instilled a certain crazy drive within me to learn and further science and technology in the long career I have ahead of me.
Has attending this event changed how you feel about science or technology?
Before the ISS, I was tossing up between pursuing a career in engineering or medicine but after seeing everything I did in the ISS, I came to realise that I’d thoroughly enjoy a career in biology and chemistry over physics and mathematics - and a result I’ve finally resolved my intense engineering vs. medicine inner conflict and come to the decision that I will be giving my 110% at the infamously difficult health sciences first year course at university next year. I feel that this realisation was one of the most valuable things I was able to take away from this experience as if I hadn’t gone through all this, I would’ve most probably ended up wasting a lot of money and time doing an engineering major next year instead of what I believe I’m destined for! So yes, my feelings toward science and technology have changed in the way that I was able to pinpoint which science I was most passionate about, and as a result, choose a suitable career pathway based on it.
How has attending this event and participating with like-minded students been of benefit to you?
At school I feel that there are very few students I can be a science geek around. Discussion rarely goes beyond the basic science and technologies we learn and conduct at school (relative to the amazing projects and discoveries taking place around the world). I think this is mainly because very few people I know here are concerned or remotely interested in STEM beyond the national curriculum’s take on it, but at ISS I could share my interests and queries openly and have like-minded, extremely intelligent people appreciate and build on whatever I said. I had so much fun being around these people who shared similar interests with me and we still continue to discuss our nerdy matters online through Facebook and Skype calls. Meeting and forming connections with these scholars from all over the world has been beyond beneficial to me. I learnt astonishing facts about science, technology, history, dance, music and even how to ask a girl out on a date in Japanese, Mandarin and Thai! There is a theory called the law of averages which states that “you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” – I feel that given the opportunity to associate myself with amazingly talented and successful people from all around the world has definitely raised my average. Seeing how hard these scholars worked and all they could be proud of as a result, I found within myself an inflamed determination and motivation towards achieving my goals - which is something I used to struggle with, as many teenagers struggle with daily - and for that, I am extremely grateful.
Now that you have had time to reflect about your experience what have you learnt about yourself?
I learnt that my life is too short to spend procrastinating and wasting time indulging in temporary pleasures. There’s so much in the world to learn, to achieve, discover and solve - so many things that I could become better at; and so many things I can help others become better at. Carpe diem - seize the day! That’s what I learnt – and heaps of other little things!
What did you enjoy about your experience?
To be frank, everything! The people, the science, the activities, the food and travel; everything was amazing. I can't stress enough how valuable this experience has been to me, I said it before and I’ll say it again, the two weeks I spent at ISS were hands down the best two weeks in my life. I’m beyond grateful to be given such an opportunity and I can’t wait to start my work on advancing science and technology so that one day I can make a positive impact on the lives of others like the impact this programme has had on mine.