Scientific programme of BPS20 was very rich. Full of talks, symposia, posters I wished to attend, workshops… Before arriving to San Diego, I took some time to build my schedule on the smartphone app. Life-saving, I have to admit. Especially for a first-time attendee. Planning the social activities, however, similar to what many like me believed, was of secondary importance.

I registered, though, to attend the subgroup dinner. We gathered at a shack restaurant next to the convention center. I found a spot at a table mostly composed by Professors. In fact, I was the only student, and first-time attendee. The evening felt like a philosophical symposium. Conversation included exchange of research ideas and questions, discussion on equipment desires, university policies, career concerns.  

The next days, I attended society organized mixers as well as spontaneous gatherings. The colorful ribbons on the name tags, indicating an extra special role at BPS, were, in fact, excellent conversation starters. All these led to discussions where topics varied from science to politics, hobbies, shares of cultural facts and anecdotes, travel experiences. Council and older society members shared advices, experiences and visions.

Of course, social gatherings, were not only educational. In a less formal atmosphere, and accompanied by a bottle of wine, a glass of locally brewed craft beer or an iced caramel latte, we enjoyed the sunshine, we laughed at improvised jokes, danced and explored the region.

Today, with a brain full a new knowledge, and a bunch of sweet memories, I leave San Diego to head back home. The past days, at BPS20, I learnt and taught, interacted, networked, laughed. Multi-pillar profit: scientifically and personally.  

As a message to next year’s attendees: Do not underestimate the power of social interaction. Knowledge is not only acquired at seminar rooms, and a couple of hours spent at a restaurant with peers might give you more than you thought. Because, in the end, try to remember: wasn’t Science -for you, like me- for the fun in the first place?