Volunteering at ECOOP conference is one of the best decisions I have made in 2018. I had a wonderful experience meeting and interacting with the experts in the field. The conversations I had with the other volunteers were rejuvenating and made me feel being part of a bigger community in the journey to contribute to knowledge and advance science.

The talks in the workshops and the main conference were so enriching and mind opening for me as a young PhD student. Meeting Philip Wadler in person was more than I bargained for; the private chat and advise were more encouraging.

I acknowledge the effort taken by the coordinators of the student volunteers, their timely communication and readily being available for consultation when needed. The expertise of those with prior experience being passed down to me was more encouraging; I look forward to doing the same in the future and ensure continuity in making scientific conferences including workshops and gatherings a success. Meeting and talking to the chairs of various workshops in the conference was in itself motivating especially listening to their views and way of thinking.

Overall, I left the conference richer in knowledge with more networks and contacts. I consider this a great investment for my future career and collaborations. I will always remain and be ready to seize any student volunteer opportunity in the future to mentor others who may be new like I was, and also make more contacts and forge new and more networks.

Well done to the organizers of the conference and coordinators of the student volunteers. Outside the conference, I had a wonderful experience of the city of Amsterdam. I enjoyed the evening boat rides through the numerous water canals in Amsterdam!