Wow!
September 2015: submitted an abstract
January 2016: submitted the complete paper
Conference scheduled: 21-24 August, 2016.
The 12th IIR Gustav Lorentzen Natural Working Fluids Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Paper was accepted. This was the first paper I ever submitted and it got accepted.
Where will the money come from?
What about the funds for international travel? Dr. BATU, Lonere agreed to give 50% of air-fare; obviously when I return to India and give 'adequate documents'.
Fortunately, IOR - IIR selected me as a conference assistant, against which, I could access all events in the conference free of charge. I just had to help the session chairs and presenters. That was now, though too costly, but possible. I later discovered on attending the conference that I lost the best paper prize by a few votes which was quite a big prize. Without funding, I wouldn't have attended, so I was given this opportunity.
Fortunately, IOR - IIR selected me as a conference assistant, against which, I could access all events in the conference free of charge. I just had to help the session chairs and presenters. That was now, though too costly, but possible. I later discovered on attending the conference that I lost the best paper prize by a few votes which was quite a big prize. Without funding, I wouldn't have attended, so I was given this opportunity.
Visa:
The biggest rival for most travelers from India - the visa. Applied for a 'business' visa - my first visa. Just had to submit a lot of documents and got it without any issues; no interview.
Travel:
No direct flights were available. Dr. Sathe (the Finance Officer, Dr. BATU, Lonere) suggested kayak.com for checking prices of all flights and comparing them to search for cheapest flight. With -some research, a flight ticket costs least 57-60 days before flight. Took Turkish airways for all the four flights. Mumbai to Istanbul to Edinburgh and then return via same route. It was a really long flight. Almost 12 hrs. Plus the layover. Life's first flight. Life's first international travel.
Currency:
GBP is the currency of Scotland. Rate was about 89 INR = 1 GBP. It was going to be too expensive. I knew. I got a multi currency card from Thomascook. Its almost free of charge. And ya, what if plastic doesn't work? My parents got some currency from some forex at Panvel. Not much of a problem as people think, it was easy.
Accommodation:
As most travelers do, I used booking.com so that I could book without paying and use the booking to show the visa and immigration authorities. But, I did search for acquaintances at Edinburgh. It later turned out that we became friends on the very first day and I left the reserved accommodation and shifted to Ratnadeep Reddy's home. His flatmates, Rohan and Sumit became friends too. Lucky enough!
Packing:
Ya! Indian parents, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts, ...... everyone is too concerned about what we pack. Oh! My bag was too heavy and had almost all food I needed to survive for 6 days. Maggie, ladoos, the usual diwali stuff, ready to eat vegetables. Medicines. Thermal wear. Umbrella. Chargers. Camera. Adapter to connect Indian type plug to UK type. Travel documents. Visa - passport.
All set. Ready to leave.
Stay connected to know about experiences at the conference and sight seeing!
Stay connected to know about experiences at the conference and sight seeing!
