The last day of being an INTERN

So finally, after everything I'd gone through during the whole internship and the summer program, the last day had rolled around. It was a short day, only four and a half hours, from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., primarily set aside for the poster presentation. 

When I got there at 7 a.m., they had breakfast set out for us. All the STARS interns gathered for breakfast, and of course, I sat with my friends. Everyone was super nervous, scrambling around trying to get their posters up on the bulletin boards and rehearsing their speeches. Personally, I’m all about impromptu speaking. I like to speak on the go, even if it means rambling sometimes. It’s just more natural for me.

To calm our nerves, my friends and I sat in a circle and started playing games. One of our favorites was a rap battle kind of game where someone would start with a word, like "tree," and everyone else had to come up with a rhyme. It was hilarious and a great way to think on our feet, which came in handy during our presentations. Plus, it was a perfect distraction from the stress.

At around 8:30, the poster presentations kicked off. There were two sessions: one from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and another from 10 to 11:30 a.m. I was in the second session, so I had some time to check out my friends' posters in the first session. I poked at them a bit, asking questions to see if they really knew their stuff. We even used ChatGPT to come up with tricky questions. Most of them couldn't answer, which was pretty funny. But when they presented to actual professors and other serious folks, we stayed professional.

When it was my turn to present, I was ready. These pictures and videos show me in action, presenting to large groups of people, including my friends who were there to support me. It was nerve-wracking but also incredibly rewarding to share my work. I presented for about 90 minutes, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. After that, the program was officially over. We turned in our badges and were free to leave.

But my friends and I weren’t ready to say goodbye just yet. The official celebration the day before was nice, but we wanted to do something more memorable. So, a group of about ten of us decided to have our own celebration. We got lucky and ended up at a pizza place where, by some miracle, they were giving away free pizza and drinks for one hour, courtesy of a charity organization. It was pure luck that we showed up at the right time!

After our free feast, we headed to a local escape room. It was a blast trying to solve the puzzles together, and it really capped off our time at the internship with some fun and laughter. By late afternoon, it was time to wrap things up as we all had plans with family and other friends.

Leaving some of my friends from the internship was emotional. We had all grown so close over the summer, and it was hard to say goodbye. But I'm still in contact with most of them, and we hang out whenever we can.

Reflecting on the entire experience, I realize just how amazing it was. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my summer. If I had to choose again, I'd spend it the same way, with my friends at this internship. It was truly unforgettable.

So, let’s talk more about that last day because it was a rollercoaster of emotions and activities. The breakfast was surprisingly good, considering we were all too nervous to eat much. But having that time to chill with friends before the big presentation was priceless. We needed that downtime to settle our nerves.

The poster presentation sessions were intense. Watching my friends present their posters first gave me a mix of confidence and anxiety. Confidence because I saw them handling it well, and anxiety because I knew my turn was coming. Walking around and seeing everyone’s work was inspiring. It was amazing to see how much we had all accomplished over the summer.

When it was finally my turn, I felt a surge of adrenaline. I set up my poster, took a deep breath, and started talking. The next 90 minutes flew by. I explained my project, answered questions, and engaged with people who were genuinely interested in my work. It was an incredible feeling to share my research and see people react positively.

After the presentations, the atmosphere shifted. There was a sense of relief and accomplishment in the air. We turned in our badges, which felt like closing a significant chapter of our lives. But as I said, my friends and I weren’t ready to just leave it at that.

Our spontaneous celebration was the perfect ending. Finding the pizza place with free food was like hitting the jackpot. We couldn’t believe our luck. It felt like the universe was giving us a high-five for all our hard work. We laughed, ate, and reminisced about the crazy journey we’d been on.

The escape room was another highlight. It was a perfect metaphor for our internship experience – working together, solving problems, and celebrating our victories. We didn’t manage to escape in record time, but we had a blast trying. It was a fitting way to end the summer.

Now that it’s all over, I can’t help but reflect on how much I’ve grown. This internship was more than just a learning experience; it was a journey of personal and professional growth. I’ve learned so much about my field, but also about myself. I’ve made friendships that I hope will last a lifetime and memories that I’ll cherish forever.

Moving forward, I’m excited about applying what I’ve learned to future projects. This experience has given me a clearer sense of direction and a boost in confidence. I feel more prepared than ever to tackle new challenges and pursue my passions.

So, that’s the story of my last day at the STARS internship. It was a mix of nerves, excitement, laughter, and a bit of sadness as we said goodbye. But overall, it was an amazing end to an unforgettable summer. Here’s to the next adventure!