Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the annual International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES) Science & Policy Workshop and the International Graduate Student Forum, both hosted in France. During the workshop at the University of Toulon, I presented a poster on my MSc research, which focuses on utilizing gold mine waste for CO2 sequestration. I also got to attend presentations by many talented researchers from around the world on a wide range of topics, from water management and food safety to conservation biology and nanochemistry.
The theme for this year's student forum was encouraging sustainable practices on small islands, with a focus on the island on which the forum was held (Île de Porquerolles). Having the chance to solve problems in the local community through collaboration and teamwork was an eye-opening experience.
Both the workshop and the forum were truly unforgettable. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to experience fresh perspectives, engage with innovative research, and make new connections with both students and professors from across the globe. I left the conference with an even greater appreciation for and passion for environmental science, and I will always remember the many lessons I learned from this experience.
