Shachar Or (Israel)

The experimental exam was much easier compared to the theoretical exam. Hopefully, I will receive a medal. I participated in the APhO in Mongolia three months ago so I have the experience in competing and I know what to expect in this IPhO. Ha Long Bay is an amazing place and I'd love to come back and visit.
 

Stephanie Hyland (Ireland)

The theoretical exam was horrific but the experimental one was actually fun and straightforward. I hope to get an honorable mention. Physics became my interest when I took a basic course at a local university when I was 16 years old. In my opinion, there's no difference between the mind of a woman and a man so I don't feel any disadvantage being a female in this competition. Ha Long bay is beautiful, unlike any place I've ever visited before. Besides physics, music and art are my biggest passions. I like to play violin and listen to Irish music during my free time. I also love painting and photography. I am looking forward to enjoying a cooler weather back in Ireland.

Lukasz Mazurek (Poland)

There's actually no difference now that the exams are over since I didn't have any pressure before the competition. What I will miss most about Vietnam? Probably the motorbikes and traffic. I have never seen anything like this before. There are not a lot of motorbikes in my country. After this IPhO, I am planning to take a trip to some neighboring countries.
 

Moayad Hokan (Syria)

The exam was difficult but this is the first year our country participates in IPhO so we didn't have much expectation. Our biggest disadvantage in this IPhO is lack of preparation. Since this is our first time, we just want to see what our team is made of. This whole team will participate again next year in Mexico so hopefully we will do better. I've been studying physics for as long as I remember. It became interested to me since 7th grade when we started serious physics. I think IPhO is a great opportunity to meet people from other countries, to get to know each other and to compete in solving physics problems. When I come back to Syria, I will definitely be enjoying the cool weather.
 

Navin Asimi (Albania)

I did pretty well in the experimental exam but the theoretical one was bad. However, I tried my best. I've started studying physics since 6th grade because it was required. My favorite subject was actually mathematics but I became interested in physics because it's also natural science and it explains the law that governs the world and the nature. I talked to my parents twice after the exams and they were very proud of me. I bought some souvenirs for them at the Ceramics village. Next year, I will be starting college in Albania. I am planning to major in information technology. The first thing I want to do when I get home is to spend time with my family and friends.

Armenia team

Ha Long bay is very very beautiful. We have never been on a boat before so this trip has been so much fun. We were also fascinated by the caves. When we have free times, we enjoy reading adventure books, learning new things, listening to Armenian and Russian music, swimming, and playing tennis. The first thing we want to do when we get home is to get a lot of sleep. We are all having a great time in Vietnam!.
 

Cambodia team

Both the theoretical and experimental exams were long and would take us more than five hours to finish. Our team is relatively new to the IPhO so we just want to gain more experiences. Ha Long bay has many beautiful landscapes and islands. The caves here are magnificent with colorful lightings. This is also our first time seeing the sea since we don't have ocean in Cambodia so we are very excited. Besides physics, we like reading novels, travelling, and listening to rap music. When we get back home to Cambodia, we want to tell our family and friends how wonderful Vietnam is, especially Vietnamese people.
 

Rob Ouwersloot (the Netherlands)

Actually I didn't care much about the medal so I wasn't too nervous. The IPhO is a great chance for me to improve my physics knowledge and to make friends with students from other countries. I have been enjoying my time and having fun here in Vietnam. The architectures of the Dinh and Le dynasty temples are very beautiful and similar to the ones in Hanoi. After this exam, I will come back to my country and go on a summer vacation with my family for two weeks.
 

Serbinenko Volodymir (Switzerland)

I was in Vietnam last year participating in the IMO so I already visited all the temples in Ninh Binh. However, they are still very interesting and beautiful. I also though it's funny how many Vietnamese people say they are not Buddhist but they still go to the temple to pray and ask for blessings. One thing I won't forget about Vietnam is the hot temperature. It's too hot for me. It'll be fun to be in Vietnam for travelling but probably not for living.