Paper into people

It is hard to believe how fast time flies. I've been waiting for this moment for about 9 months. No - I'm not having a baby...but this day does certainly represent the start of a new type of "life". 

As I write this I am sitting in Pearson airport in Toronto about to depart for Paris, France. In Paris (Reims, to be more specific) I will meet with 74 other Nuffield Scholars travelling from various countries around the world for the Contemporary Scholars Conference. 
Each of us have been provided with a brief overview of each other in a program which outlines the week. Have you ever had to describe yourself in a few paragraphs? It is actually a very interesting exercise in "self reflection" which is a term I learned to hate when I was completing my Bachelor of Education).


As scholars, we each had to give a background on ourselves and list our research topic  It is actually quite a funny exercise as you lay out what has brought you to your current position. Even stranger (and perhaps more difficult) is trying to sum up your intent for what you will study in the next two years. 


I presume that each of the other 74 faces on the pages of the program have as much passion for their research topic as I do. There are some incredibly interesting topics ranging from very scientific production questions to examining methods of communicating with consumers, or the emotional well being of farmers. I can't wait to meet everyone within this program and turn them from faces on a page into peers that I have shared wonderful memories with!