Twenty Years Later: An IBO Alumna Looks Back
20JUN
Twenty Years Later: An IBO Alumna Looks Back
As Lithuania prepares to host the International Biology Olympiad for the first time, we continue our series introducing the IBO community in Lithuania – this time looking back at one of the country"s earliest participants.
Representing Lithuania at the International Biology Olympiad nearly two decades ago in Saskatoon, Canada, in 2007, Sonata Keršė was part of a generation of young Lithuanian biologists stepping onto the international stage for the first time and winning a bronze medal. Today, she lives in Norway, where she works as a resident in pathology – a career path she traces directly back to her time at the IBO.
"It was a long time ago, but I remember it as a big thing in my life," she recalls. "I loved nature sciences, so to get to be on the team was a dream for me at that time." The preparation process, she says, was both demanding and rewarding, with the laboratory components standing out as a particular highlight. Of the IBO itself, what she remembers most vividly is the heat – alongside a packed schedule of challenging tests, social events, and excursions, including a memorable night spent sleeping in tipis.
Beyond the science, the experience left a lasting personal mark. She points to a boost in confidence and friendships that have stayed with her since.
The IBO"s influence reached even further – directly shaping her academic and professional path. "Yes, it did," she says of whether IBO influenced her choice of studies. "I was thinking about medicine and biochemistry, but I chose the first one. Because of participation in the International Biology Olympiad, I got extra points applying for university, and therefore got a stipend. I always knew that my work would be related to natural sciences."
Looking back, she would have liked more preparation of a different kind: psychological training to manage stress and stay focused under pressure during the competition itself.
Her message to this year"s participants is simple: good luck, don"t stress, and have fun.
