We all left for the airport bright and early in the morning. Although I didn't place in my category, I still gained an invaluable experience and insight into the scientific world through my participation in ISEF. Never before had I been surrounded with so many motivated and talented students from all corners of the country as well as the world. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience that could never be matched by any ordinary job internship or college encounter. One last important lesson that I learned that I carried onto the following year when I had the privilege of returning to ISEF: don't even try to bring schoolwork with you because it won't get done. I suppose you could simply make time to do it, but who wants to do homework when you have Nobel laureates and future cancer cure finders to mingle with?