The inside of a Conference

Just last week, I had the opportunity to attend my first international conference—the International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Sciences (iSRS)—and wow, what an experience!

Was I a little anxious? Absolutely. I’m not going to lie—big social events tend to make me overthink how I’m being perceived, and that can sometimes get in the way of fully putting myself out there. Networking doesn’t come naturally to me, but I did manage to make a few really meaningful connections, and honestly, that’s what counts. Quality over quantity, right?

Things I loved about the conference:

• Learning about new topics—It’s always inspiring to see what people around the world are working on.

• Finding researchers working on similar themes—Especially those aligned with my thesis, which made the conversations even more relevant.

• Meeting potential collaborators—Some of the chats I had could actually lead to exciting research down the line.

• The final gala dinner—It was a great way to unwind and connect in a less formal setting.

  
  

Things I liked a little less:

• The food—Not going to sugarcoat it, I’m a picky eater and the catering just wasn’t it for me.

• The jam-packed schedule—It was hard to catch a breath between sessions.

• The lack of structured networking—Would’ve been great to have more guided opportunities to connect.

• Some presentation styles—Let’s just say… not everyone’s a natural on stage. I may have dozed off once or twice.

  
  

Despite a few drawbacks, I’d absolutely recommend attending an international conference—especially if you get the chance to do it in Australia! 🌏 It’s a great way to push yourself out of your comfort zone, learn, grow, and maybe even surprise yourself.

Until the next one!