Participating in the Nobel Innovation Workshop has undoubtedly been an extraordinary journey for me. In class, we delved into the fundamental research of neuroscience, guided by one of the leading figures in the field. It felt like we were having an academic interview with him, learning about the research that earned him the Nobel Laureate.

During an interactive Q&A session, the professor simply answered 'I don't know' to a question. This not only highlighted the vast unknowns in neuroscience but also deeply moved me, prompting me to reflect on the opportunities and challenges future researchers will face.

In the first class, the professor shared his academic journey, and I learned a valuable soft skill: patience is crucial in academic exploration. Whether it's seeking academic opportunities, achieving research results, or gaining recognition, it all requires time and persistence. Learning this from a scholar who has excelled in all these areas was an incredibly precious experience for me.

Throughout the course, I explored how to deeply research and thoroughly understand the course topics. Initially, some of the concepts and theories the professor explained seemed quite profound. I began to extensively gather and study literature from various sources, even delving into content that seemed unrelated to the topic, to fuel my curiosity. To better grasp these theoretical concepts, I took notes to build knowledge connections and consistently prepared before class to ensure I could follow the lesson and participate in discussions.

I also found that in-depth discussions with classmates, especially those from different academic backgrounds, greatly enhanced my understanding. Learning from and interacting with the Nobel Laureate taught me the thought processes and reasoning logic of researchers, and how they integrate seemingly abstract research topics, broadening our comprehensive understanding of a field.

Although I often studied biology-related topics before, neuroscience was a pretty unknown field to me. This opportunity allowed me to learn about past achievements and current gaps in the field, inspiring me to think about how I can create an impact and contribute to the world.

It's a rare opportunity for high school students to communicate directly with Nobel Laureates. Previously, I kept up with the latest trends by reading economic journals and papers. Now, having the chance to learn directly from a top expert in economics is an incredible honor.

This course covers a lot of content in a short amount of time—topics like Nash equilibrium, mixed strategy, and Cournot oligopoly are packed into just three sessions. The homework feedback from the teaching assistants has been invaluable in reinforcing my understanding. I also really appreciate the questions my classmates ask during class. Their questions often bring new perspectives, and the professor’s responses help guide me to deeper insights, enabling me to not only grasp the theoretical concepts but also understand their real-world applications.

In writing my IB Economics papers, we often analyze the effects of different policies on various stakeholders (like producers, consumers, and governments). The game theory concepts covered in the Nobel course are closely related to the skills we use in IB Economics. Game theory has given me a new way to approach problems, allowing me to think more rigorously and accurately about how policies or events might affect different groups.

Additionally, analyzing Nash Equilibrium has introduced me to the use of calculus from IB Mathematics. Through derivation, we can figure out the best strategies for players in different situations. This not only broadens my understanding of how to apply IB knowledge across subjects but also lets me experience the excitement of combining theory with real-world problems.

One of the most important skills I've gained is modeling thinking.Game theory is all about taking real-world problems and turning them into mathematical models. This approach helps simplify complex issues and makes it easier to find solutions.

It's a way of thinking that's been helpful not just in economics but also in everyday life. For example, I used to think it was strange that businesses like milk tea shops tend to cluster together, even though that would increase competition. But now, through a game-theoretic lens, I understand that this behavior is actually the result of the clustering effect and Nash equilibrium. In this case, clustering is the best strategy.

Attending the Nobel course has also been incredibly helpful for my future plans. I intend to study philosophy, PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics), and cognitive science, and I'm confident the analytical and modeling skills I've learned will be applicable across these fields. In addition, I have an interest in business, and the kinds of negotiations I'll face in the business world are, in essence, complex forms of game-theoretic analysis.