Happy New Year, everyone!
First of all, I wish you all a fantastic year ahead! 😊
As promised in my previous blog (Read: Autumn Conferences: Annyeonghaseyo to KIWW24), I want to share my experience from my trip to Washington, D.C., just before Christmas for a conference.
This was my first time flying such a longggg distance, and wow—what a ride! The jetlag hit me hard. My eyes felt unbearably heavy by 6 p.m., and I found myself wide awake at 2 a.m. when the city was fast asleep. Despite the discomfort, it was a unique experience I’ll never forget.
Now, onto Washington, D.C.! The city truly lives up to its reputation as the capital of the United States. Its urban planning is remarkable, with well-structured buildings and harmonious color palettes. Don’t just take my word for it—check out the photos below!
The Conference Experience
The conference was a massive event—my first time seeing so many students and academics gathered from all over the world to share their research. The topics were incredibly diverse, covering hardcore hydrology, geology, disasters, and climate issues.
What excited me most was the growing focus on socioeconomic issues linked to climate disasters. I presented in a special session on inequality in the Global South, which felt like a significant step forward in addressing climate justice. Kawasaki Sensei’s session also disscussed about sociohydrology issue, particularly poverty exacerbated by climate disasters. Our discussions even continued at the World Bank Headquarters—how cool is that?
Exploring Washington, D.C. and Beyond
While in Washington, D.C., I took some time to explore its beautiful museums and historic alleys. Each corner of the city radiated charm and history. However, I must say, everything—even mineral water!—was quite expensive, so my culinary adventures were limited ;(( - unlike Korea Hahaha!
Outside of Washington, Sensei and I toured Alexandria, a waterfront city in Virginia. We traveled there by cruise boat, which offered stunning views of the city’s picturesque buildings reflecting on the water. It was a peaceful magical trip!
A Week to Remember
Flying far from Asia for the first time, battling jetlag, attending a significant conference like AGU, visiting the World Bank Headquarters, and exploring the beauty of Washington and Alexandria—this week was truly a blissful adventure that I’ll treasure forever.
See you all again soon everyone! May this year bring us closer to our dreams and fill our hearts with peace and gratitude. #Cheers
Lots of love,
Leon
