Esri Young Scholar Story in UC 2023
Hi, I am Agnez, and this is my story of attending the Esri UC 2023, with sprinkles of memorable moments I had along the event. Enjoy!
My Story
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But First, Sydney
From Indonesia, we travelled 7 hours to Sydney to connect our flight to Los Angeles. We arrived very early in the morning, so we wasted no time in getting caffeine fix, sipping on hot brews to give us the energy needed for the long journey ahead. We had a little time to shop, walked around, and enjoyed the mesmerizing yet busy morning view from the Kingsford Smith Airport.
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Welcome to LA
After 14 hours of flight from Sydney, we finally arrived at Los Angeles-the city of stars. It was a very long flight, but look at how excited Esri Indonesia Team were to finally step our feet at LA!
I also had my auntie who lived in LA to came by the airport and met me. It was a touching moment of connection and warmth in a foreign land!
It was early in the morning when we arrived in LAX, so our team had the entire day to enjoy LA.
Downtown LA
Since we had a day in LA, we tried to maximize our time there. We stayed in Downtown LA, and we were making our way to shop and get familiar with the hood.
Walk of Fame
We made our way to go sightseeing at the Hollywood Boulevard. Laying eyes on the legendary King of Pop's star sign and the countless other iconic symbols was a dream come true for me!
San Diego
Arriving very early at San Diego, we straightly made our way to the Esri UC location. The event was located near the Marina Bay, which makes the atmosphere really breezy but refreshing at the same time.
Young Scholars
Before the UC started, I had 2 days to join Esri Education Summit. I was very excited to see the others fellow EYSA winners from all around the world. We formed a circle, engaging in roundtable conversations, getting to know one another. Michael Gould briefed us about the upcoming events, adding to our excitement. At the hosted lunch, the EYSA winners had a special table, relishing delicious food and sharing stories about our diverse cultures, hailing from places like Germany, India, New Zealand, Brazil, and more. Esri had united us from all corners of the globe, and we were grateful for the opportunity.
Education Summit
During the first and second days of the education summit, I attended several sessions. From discussions on climate change to the impact of GIS on the business world, I learned how GIS played a pivotal role in addressing global challenges in higher education.
Night at San Diego Harbour
After a long day joining sessions, Esri Indonesia Team walked together to a dinner at the Pier. We were passing by San Diego Ship Museums like the Star of India
Gaslamp Quarter
The second day, after joining sessions, we walked to the Gaslamp Quarter. Rising from 16 square-blocks in downtown San Diego, the historic Gaslamp Quarter is packed with Victorian-era buildings and modern skyscrapers, city's finest restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and retails shops. It is the heart of San Diego.
UC Plenary
Day 1 of the UC kicked off with the plenary session, featuring an inspiring speech by Jack Dangermond about how GIS was shaping the world we want to see.
Jack met Indonesian Team
With a very strong will and ambition, Esri Indonesia Team made the way to get a picture on the stage with Jack. Our unique Batik made Jack easier to recognize us!
Map Gallery
After the plenary sessions ended, the whole attendees were guided to see the Map Gallery. This was the moment I've been waiting for. As I walked through the hall, I was thrilled to find my EYSA poster showcased. The pride of having my creation seen by thousands overwhelmed me as people flocked to read about the MindMe project. I was extremely excited to share the stories of how GIS can bring impact to mental health through the MindMe project.
I also had the Esri Indonesia Team who visited my map gallery, I was thankful to have a supportive team!
Me and Jack
While I was standing in front of map gallery, I spotted Jack was strolling around the map gallery. So my friend, Myra (Young Scholar from Malaysia) and I managed to come to Jack and asked for a photo. He was very nice to us! It was so hard for people to get individual photos with Jack, so I was lucky!
Night at Gaslamp
I ended the wonderful day with a nice drink at Gaslamp with a friend. It was so nice to finally have a leisure time to chill while being at the heart of San Diego.
UC Sessions
Day 2, 3, and 4 of the UC were a wild ride packed with all sorts of sessions. It was like a buffet of GIS knowledge, and I couldn't get enough of it!
In the Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions, I was all about the Mining and Forestry Group.
In the Technical Workshop sessions, I dove headfirst into topics like ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, and all kinds of other tools within the ArcGIS family.
The User Presentation sessions, I got to peek into the world of Oil and Gas, where they're using high-GIS tech to uncover what's happening beneath the Earth's surface. Then there were the Commercial sessions, where businesses are using GIS to make their operations smarter and more efficient. And let's not forget about the government sessions, where GIS is like a secret weapon for making public services work better.
As I hopped from one session to another, it was like going on a crazy adventure. Each session was a new chapter in my GIS journey, and I couldn't wait to see what cool stuff I'd learn next. The UC turned into this epic exploration of GIS wonders, where every session felt like a treasure hunt for knowledge.
Expo and Store
In the middle of sessions break, I managed to wander around the bustling UC Expo. It was like stepping into a technology wonderland, filled to the brim with booths showcasing everything from ArcGIS products to Esri's partners.
I had an absolute blast experimenting with all the latest ArcGIS technology. One standout moment was when I tried the 4D experience, advancement of ArcGIS digital twin technology.
I also got several cute Esri souvenirs from the Esri store!
Young Scholar Awarding
The third day of UC was the day of the awarding. I was surprised to see that my picture was featured on the big screen. It was like a surreal moment, seeing myself up there for everyone to see. The room was abuzz with energy, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of pride and happiness.
I was also was the happiest to take pictures with my name featured on the winner banner and with the gracious trophy. It was the highlight of the day. It was a moment of sheer happiness, a reminder of the recognition and achievement that I'd earned.
Young Scholars and Jack
The Young Scholars had a special recognition by Jack, which was incredibly heartwarming and made us feel truly appreciated.
But the excitement didn't stop there. We were given a unique opportunity to gather together for a group photo with Jack himself!
Balboa Party
Work hard and party hard. Esri had something special in store for us on the third day – a fantastic party at Balboa Park. It was a gathering of thousands of attendees, and the atmosphere was electric. I decided to walk there with my friend Alessia from Italy, making the journey even more memorable. We explored different museums, each offering a unique perspective on art, culture, and history. And of course, we couldn't resist indulging our taste buds with a variety of foods from around the world.
Night at Balboa
The party got harder as the day got darker. People are enjoying the music, the crowd, and the food. This was a very massive reward time to celebrate all of our hard work.
Hollywood
After we ended the night at San Diego, we headed back to LA the next day. We went to see the famous Hollywood sign. It was crazy to finally see the sign in real life!
Young Scholars in LA
Most of the Young Scholars were already heading back home, but some of us had extended days in San Diego or LA. Here, I managed to hang with my friend David from Colombia in downtown LA. It was a bittersweet goodbye, knowing that we were returning to our home countries. But we made a promise to see each other again if we ever visited each other's countries. So, here's to hoping we reunite soon!
Beverly Hills
In my last days, I fulfilled some of my lifelong dreams. I explored the Golden Triangle and strolled down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. My twelve-year-old self would've been screaming with excitement!
Flying home with memories
I had thousands of memories with only a one week journey. I gained valuable knowledge. I met lots of new friends. I shared my work to the world. I had my rewards. I tried new foods and went to my dream places.
All of these experiences combined, my journey as an Esri Young Scholar will forever be a core memory that I'm immensely grateful to carry with me throughout my life.
My Work
Here is my work called MindMe that brought me to the Esri UC.
Experience
A Message
I hope the Esri Young Scholar journey doesn't end with me. Let's wish for all our GIS creations to shine on the world stage.
Cheers,
Agnez