This is M2 Felipe.

On October 18th 2010, I departed to China on my first international conference presentation. The conference was going to be held at the China National Convention Center, next to the famous Olympic Stadium commonly known as the Bird's Nest. This was actually not only my first time in an international conference but also in China, so I was very excited. By the way, in the country where I come from, Colombia, it is said that the farthest place you can get is China, since a bit further would mean closer because you are turning around the globe back to Colombia.

The conference I was attending to was the 9th Asian Thermophysical Properties Conference (ATPC). It is one of the three major world-wide conferences on thermophysical properties and it is held once every three years, so it was an honor for me to present my research at that conference. The presentation consisted on a three-minute oral presentation and an hour poster presentation. The oral presentation went smoothly, while in the poster presentation I had the chance to discuss with researchers of many countries. I felt very lucky and stimulated by discussing with many researchers and professors with a great deal of experience. Moreover, I got several ideas applicable to my own research from the keynote lectures of renowned professors.

Apart from the academic gains in China, I had the chance to visit historical monuments inside and near Beijing. I had always wanted to go to the Great Wall of China and I could finally visit during my short visit there. However, the weather was extremely foggy and the only day I had for sightseeing in the Great Wall the visibility was only about 20 meters. I also ate Xiaolongbao which is a kind of steamed dumpling that together with beer. I felt this was one of the most delicious foods I have ever tasted.

On October 23th I came back to Japan. The experience in my first international conference in China was a memorable one. I continue doing my best from now on so I can report the finding of my research in prestigious international conferences like the ATPC2010.