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| Melbourne Science Summer School |
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The Trinity College, Melbourne, hosts an annual Science Summer School for students from the Asia-Pacific region for two weeks in December.
The students attend lectures and seminars which give them a unique perspective on various topics and include practical work and demonstrations.
Students also get an opportunity to work in the University's well equipped and modern Physics, Chemistry, Genetics and Optometry laboratories. Another facet of the Summer School is the fun that the students have - a visit to a ranch, beach sports as well as star gazing through telescopes.
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| Melbourne Science Summer School: 2008-2009 |
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To some two weeks can pass by in the blink of an eye, to others it can feel like an eternity. For the 15 students who went to Melbourne last December, it was nothing short of an experience that we will remember and cherish for the rest of our lives.
We left from Mumbai on the 29th of November 2008, just a few days after the terror attacks on the city; and with the increased level of security, the airport had never looked so busy yet calm. We were all looking forward to the adventure and the journey to Melbourne itself set the bar quite high.
We arrived in Melbourne at 5a.m on the 1st of December, for a course that started that very day at 8. a.m. It was the first indication of just how high intensity the experience was going to be. |
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The following days passed by in a blur, with lectures and workshops everyday and with exploring the city and making new friends. We were taught by Nobel Prize winners like Peter Doherty and Dr. Marty Ross who always had our undivided attention with their revolutionary teaching methods. They used multimedia presentations and movies to get their ideas and views across to us and made topics that seemed dull and bland, appear vibrant and interesting.
There were students from East Asia and Australia; Malaysia, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Korea and Australia. We made friends with them and learnt about their cultures and traditions. The university students or “mentors” were also a reason why the trip was so much fun. It was like having an older sibling looking out for you which made the experience all the more enriching.
Apart from lectures and friends, we visited and explored the surrounding areas and got a first hand look at some of Australia’s native culture. Rock-climbing to visiting markets, playing laser tag and scavenger hunts at night; the two weeks were packed with fun and learning. They made us feel comfortable and we interacted with all the other Summer School students on Trivia nights and movie nights, so no one never felt left out.
The native “Bush Dances” were fun and “Cultural Night” was a blast. We wished it had gone on longer.
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It was an experience unlike any we had ever encountered, and one that is not likely to be repeated ever again. Two weeks were just not enough. |
| By Vaharan Elavia |
| 11B |
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