My training has afforded me the opportunity to attend an array of optometric and research oriented meetings, yet I think that ARVO is the largest and most culturally diverse of them all. It is wonderful to have investigators from around the world presenting their findings during poster sessions and talks. I find that views from abroad that focus on my topics of interest often use alternative models and approaches, and they offer me a fresh look at my projects. They also provide me with ideas to circumvent anticipated and unanticipated research problems.
Additionally, while at ARVO, I make it a point to meet investigators from around the world and to exchange contact information with them. I think that this is a great way to make new friends, form collaborations, and meet prominent investigators. I tend to be an introverted person, and early on I was unsure of how to introduce myself and start conversions with near total strangers, especially if they were a leader in their field. At first I found it helpful to have my advisor or an upper classman break the ice with people from other institutions. One helpful tip, that I learned early on, was to keep my name badge on even at the nightly social events, so it was easier for people to learn names; the reverse was also very helpful for me.
After a while, I became more comfortable meeting new people; my early interactions with high level investigators were positive, and I was surprised how open they were when I asked them about their research, institutions, and home countries. I find the best way to continue my conversations with new colleagues is to exchange emails. Business cards work the best, but a simple piece of paper will get the job done.
What have you learned from your interactions with foreign investigators? Are you visiting ARVO from abroad? What is your perspective of the annual meeting?