Report from Romina Yohana Leiva

FIG Foundation Young Surveyor Grant Recipient to attend the FIG Working Week 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam

“We in Argentina say that we are few Surveyors, but in reality this is not the case, we are many surveyors, we are only scattered in this extraordinary world. ”

On February 8, 2019 at 05:46 a.m. time in Argentina, I received the news of having obtained a subversion from the FIG Foundation to participate in the “3rd Young Surveyors Asia and the Pacific Meeting” and “FIG Working Week 2019” Hanoi, Vietnam.

At the beginning after receiving the good news, I must confess that I felt a little fear of the trip and everything that my participation in the meeting entailed. I was scared because I had never traveled this far alone. When the great day of going on a trip arrived, the feelings of fear changed and I felt very happy, I knew that I would cross several oceans and be with people who love the same profession that I love so much.

Upon arriving at the Vietnam International Airport, I felt immensely happy for everything I was experiencing. At the airport I met Miss Ruth Trujillo from Puerto Rico (woodcock), together we went to the hotel to rest and the next day to start the scheduled activities.

On April 21 from 8:30 am we began the activities of the "3rd Young Surveyors Asia and the Pacific Meeting", for me it was something wonderful, that day I had contact with the other Scholars of the FIG Foundation. Ms. Annika Avila (Philippines) and Ms. Ogochukwa Izuegbu (Nigeria) and also with young Surveyors from many countries, I also had the opportunity to meet Mr. John Hohol, Dr. Rudolf Staiger, Ms. Mellissa Harrington, Mr. Kwabena Asiama among other wonderful people who they made you feel in an atmosphere of friendship. The lectures that took place that day seemed extraordinary to me, seeing the work being done in other countries is something sensational, the organization of the event was wonderful, what I remember the most and I liked were the games that were organized during the meeting, the one that comes to mind and the most I remember is looking for the person who was described and drawing on paper. At the end of the first day of activity I felt very happy and eager to share more moments with the wonderful people I had met.

On April 22, the activities started early since we would carry out an ecotourism with the young surveyors, an activity that I really liked being able to do and of which I have beautiful memories.

April 23 is a very special day for me, Argentina commemorates the National Surveyor's Day. That day the inaugural act of the “FIG Working Week 2019” was held in Vietnam and for me it was something extremely exciting when entering the National Convention Center of Vietnam and without being able to endure that day a tear escaped me when I saw so many surveyors from all over the world.

In Argentina we usually say that Surveying is Family. On April 23, while at the Vietnam National Convention Center, I realized that my family was huge and I felt very happy.

The Talks that I participated in at the Vietnam National Convention Center were excellent, one of the panels that I liked the most was the one about women in surveying.

When I woke up on April 26, I felt sad because the beautiful days I lived were ending, but when I last entered the Vietnam National Convention Center I was happy to see my new family for the last time. Surveying is Family and FIG is the great family of surveyors.

We in Argentina say that we are few Surveyors, but in reality this is not the case, we are many surveyors, we are only scattered in this extraordinary world.