Swamp Walks, New Friends, and International Gold in Germany: Our International Competition Adventure

by Haru Shih (Grade 9)

What started with a gold medal at the national IEYI [International Exhibition for Young Inventors] competition soon spiraled into an international adventure filled with unexpected victories, mishaps, and a muddy encounter—all thanks to an opportunity to represent our school and country in Germany. 

After securing gold nationally, the thought of competing abroad seemed daunting. When the chance to go to Germany arose, our initial reaction was a mix of excitement and doubt. Were we really good enough? Turns out, our mothers were the deciding factor, and soon enough, we were booked for the trip.

The competition was like a roller-coaster. Our first round was challenging, largely because none of us spoke German! But we found our stride in the second and third rounds, relying on our hard work and presentation skills. When the final results were announced, we were genuinely stunned.

Despite looking at our talented competitors and thinking, "There is no way we are winning this," we walked away with another gold medal. The victory was even sweeter knowing the government rewarded our success with a cash prize.

The trip wasn't just about the contest; it was about the cultural experience, the new friendships, and the sheer fun of exploring a new place.

On our second day in Germany, we decided to take a relaxing walk in the forest. I spotted a huge, intriguing muddy swamp and, naturally, decided it was a good idea to venture in. It quickly turned into an adventure when I hit a sinking spot, and my entire foot disappeared beneath the mud! My teammates, Maddie and Yuyi, were genuinely terrified for my safety. Looking back, though, it was a blast, and I even got some seriously epic (and muddy) photos out of it!

One of the most surprising cultural takeaways was realizing the drinking age in Germany is 14. To celebrate our hard work, the father of the students at the neighboring exhibition stand bought us some beer. It tasted surprisingly light. However, the celebration took a tense turn when I, in a moment of utter clumsiness, accidentally dropped two bottles of beer onto the street! Our teacher was not pleased, to say the least, and I'm still not certain if any innocent bystanders were harmed in the incident.

We also quickly bonded with our translator, Thomas, who was hilarious and constantly shared stories about his "beautiful girlfriend" (she really is stunning, by the way!).

Following the competition, we spent a few days exploring the breathtaking sights of Austria. Our final day included a visit to a stunning, serene lake, where we even saw the cutest toddler playing nearby. 

However, the trip had one last casualty: my phone. I believe I accidentally dropped it in the water, which meant a broken device and the loss of all my data.

Despite the initial nerves, the sinking mud, the shattered beer bottles, and the broken phone, this international trip was an unforgettable experience. Winning gold, making new friends, and getting a glimpse of German and Austrian culture made it a truly amazing adventure. It's definitely something I'd sign up for again.