Ariadna speaks about her experience at LIYSF

We spoke to Ariadna Gistàs from Spain, one of our staff ambassadors for LIYSF 2016.

Ariadna, how did you find out about it and then come on to the LIYSF programme?

I have always been interested in science, so I decided to apply to the Youth and Science program in Catalonia sponsored by the Catalunya-La Pedrera foundation as soon as I could. This scholarship allowed me to live three science-related experiences that have changed me in many ways. These included a local program with the other selected students and two more in either a local research institute or international programs. I was lucky enough to be selected to go to Germany first and then LIYSF. Choosing LIYSF was definitely an unbelievable and life-changing choice, and I’ll surely keep it with me forever.

What are you doing now and what are your future aspirations?

I am currently studying my first year of medicine at the University of Barcelona (UB). I want to become a doctor, maybe a surgeon, although I’m not so sure about the speciality. I would love to engage in Doctors Without Borders or a similar organization in the future as I believe it is strongly necessary to help those who don’t have access to the same resources as we do (especially when it’s related to health) and also share our knowledge with the rest of the world.

What fields of science are you interested in, and what are you currently working on?

I’ve always been interested in many fields of science, and actually choosing my major at university was pretty hard. Now that I study medicine, I am mostly focused on biology and chemistry, but I try to keep up with physics and mathematics in my free time as I believe they are also really important to understanding the world around us.

I am really focused on my degree in medicine and I don’t have much time to start a new project. I am, however, tutoring a girl from my old school and really engaged in my basketball team. In high school, I started to collaborate with Labdoo, a humanitarian social network, and with one of my best friends, I’m trying to establish Labdoo hubs in other schools to help this project grow in my country.

What else are you interested in, outside of science and LIYSF? 

During the week I spend most of my free time in basketball practice. Sport is my way to handle stress and clearing my mind. I also love to be with friends, discover new places in Barcelona, or walk around the mountains. I try to travel as much as I can, mainly with my family, and in the winter I love to ski. I am definitely an outdoor enthusiast.

If you’re interested in attending LIYSF this year, you can find out more about what to expect in 2016, the exciting speakers and visits.