Taylar Knight, left, and Adithi Gurunathan, right, have learned more about science than they ever dreamed of after taking part in the London International Youth Science Forum.
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After returning from the trip of a lifetime, Taylar Knight and Adithi Gurunathan are more inspired to pursue their passions for science than ever before.
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The Year 12 students at Cobram Secondary College recently visited the UK to take part in the London International Youth Science Forum, a prestigious educational program for high-performing STEM students from around the world.
While visiting one of the world’s largest cities was an eye-opener, the pair said learning about science through lectures and classes was one of the best parts.
“A highlight was meeting people from all different countries, and hearing their languages and learning about their culture,” Taylar said.
After a long flight, the pair touched down at Heathrow Airport.
The next 24 hours were a blur as they were whisked away to their accommodation at Imperial College, London, via the famous Underground.
The next day, they joined the over 450 other students from around the world for a welcoming ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society.
After that, it was straight into lectures and classes led by figures such as Nobel Prize-winning Sir David MacMillan.
In their spare time, Taylar and Adithi went sightseeing, visiting destinations including Oxford and Cambridge universities, Big Ben and London’s Southbank.
Taylar had the chance to learn about population health, and the ways that scientific knowledge can be made understandable by non-specialist audiences.
“That fascinated me. I like public speaking, and I feel like that would be cool,” Taylar said.
Taylar and Adithi had the chance to visit many famous landmarks around the metropolis.
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Adithi was fascinated by a lecture on the innovative ways psychedelics can be used to treat patients in clinical settings.
She found the trip cemented her love for psychology and medicine.
“I intend to apply for more international universities as well,” Adithi said.
Meanwhile, Taylar said she would like to go to the University of Canberra and potentially do a semester exchange.
“I think I would like to go to Brazil,” she said.
The students said they would like to thank all the people and service clubs who supported them to get to London, including the Cobram-Barooga Apex Club, the Barooga and Strathmerton Lions Clubs, the Soroptimists International, Moira Shire Council, Stephen Brooks and Nathan Shannon.