Introduction

     My name is Anthony C. Didlake, Jr. and I attended the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC Science Summer Camp & Colloquium in Taipei, Taiwan. I am extremely fortunate and thankful to have been given the opportunity to attend the Science Summer Camp. This was my first time ever leaving the country and it was an amazing learning experience that I will never forget.

     I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from high school, I matriculated to Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, where I am now entering my senior year. I have always had a strong interest in the atmospheric sciences ever since I was a young child. For this reason, I am pursuing a B.S. degree in Geology & Geophysics with a concentration in atmospheric and oceanic studies. One year ago, I joined the SOARS® (Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science) program at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). Through this program, I am conducting atmospheric research for a second summer. This summer I am doing research with Bill Kuo, the director of the COSMIC program. It is because of him that I became interested in GPS radio occultation and found out about the Science Summer Camp.

     FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC is an upcoming space mission for retrieving radio occultation data. It will launch six satellites into orbit for the sole purpose of monitoring the earth's atmosphere. While COMSIC is the American name for the mission, FORMOSAT-3 is its Taiwanese name. This is a joint project between the two countries.

     The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC Science Summer Camp & Colloquium had a twofold purpose just as its name suggests. It was a colloquium for scientists from all over the world to gather and share their insightful discoveries relating to GPS radio occultation. The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission is an international, collaborative effort that requires constant communication between the team of scientists. Simultaneously, the colloquium served as a weeklong informational session, or science camp, for interested students. We were able to learn in detail the science behind GPS radio occultation and its applications to many fields of study. I became interested in taking part in this Science Summer Camp because I am excited for the possibilities that this technology can provide to the scientific community. We have the opportunity to considerably expand our knowledge of the earth and its processes. Learning more about radio occultation has given me the motivation to participate and belief that I will participate in the upcoming scientific discoveries.

Scientific Experience

     The Science Summer Camp was held at the Central Weather Bureau in Taipei, Taiwan. This building is home to much of Taiwan's research in atmospheric science. There were many labs, classrooms, offices, and weather displays. It also contained a center dedicated to seismology. The colloquium was held in the conference room, and it lasted for five days. More than 15 scientists gave talks on their particular field related to GPS radio occultation. Some presented their research and significant results. Some gave updates on the status of the radio occultation missions. A few gave tutorials on operating the tools for using radio occultation data in research. An abundance of information was presented for 8 hours each day for us, the students, to take in and apply to our own research interests.

     The talks began with basic introductions to the GPS radio occultation technique. We learned its history, the science behind the measurements, and the extended applications of the data. The atmospheric use of radio occultation was first discovered by accident in a 1965 space mission to explore Mars. As the spacecraft moved into the shadow of Mars, receivers on the earth's surface still detected a signal, one that was bent and altered by the red planet's atmosphere. This signal provided useful information about Mars' atmosphere. In order to apply this same technique to Earth's atmosphere, the receiver must also be a spacecraft instead of a land-based machine. It would be a low-earth orbiter that receives radio signals from the Global Positioning System satellites that are already in a high orbit above the surface. Radio occultation data directly enhances the study of the earth's climate, weather, ionosphere, and gravitational field.

     There was one presentation that I particularly enjoyed given by Ching-Yuang Huang of the National Central University in Taiwan. Huang presented his research on the assimilation of GPS radio occultation data for typhoon prediction. He presented case simulations of several typhoons using the MM5 forecast model and radio occultation data from the CHAMP mission. He compared storm track predictions based on traditional data sources and GPS radio occultation data. He found that predicted tracks from the occultation data best matched the actual track that the storm followed. He defined an area near the storm from which data was taken that most influenced its strengthening and movement. With a larger quantity of radio occultation data that FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC promises, typhoon prediction can be vastly improved.

     During the week, the American and Taiwanese students presented posters of their own research. This gave us the opportunity to learn from each other, as our research topics were very diverse. It was interesting to see student research using GPS radio occultation and the student's application to their field of study. For example, one project used radio occultation to study climate trends in the polar regions. It was also interesting to see non-related topics, such as a synoptic analysis of rainy seasons in East Africa. As scientists stopped by our posters to read about our research, it also gave us the chance to talk informally with them. These discussions ranged from interesting related research topics to strategies for attending graduate school. I was able to learn from them both during their presentations and outside of the colloquium.

     I received a better understanding of GPS radio occultation during the Summer Camp. It was very beneficial to me because I will be working with COSMIC this summer at UCAR. This scientific experience has adequately prepared me to apply radio occultation data to my research interest: hurricanes.

Cultural Experience

     My learning experience extended well beyond the scientific realm. As I mentioned before, this was the first time that I have ever been submersed in a foreign environment. I cannot explain the awe that I felt as I saw, smelled, and heard completely new things. For the first time, I could experience the differences between American culture and another country's culture. My eyes were opened up to the world, and it marks only the beginning of my world travels.

     We started off this trip with intense touring during the weekend before the colloquium. Our first stop was the National Palace Museum. This museum displayed numerous pieces handcrafted during the ancient dynasties of China. There were various Buddhist statuettes, calligraphy tablets, jade sculptures, and other artifacts. I found the displays fascinating and impressive. We also visited Taipei 101, the world's tallest building. It was a typical tourist attraction that I am happy to say that I visited. I appreciated the intricacy of its design and structure. Also, the view from the top of this 1,600 foot building was awesome. Towards the end of the week, we got to see different views of Taiwan in its natural beauty. The Taroko National Park is home to some of the island's tallest mountains. The Liwu River and its tributaries carve their way between the mountains, leaving phenomenal cliffs and delicate waterfalls. I was able to capture breathtaking pictures of vistas I could not see anywhere else.

     Throughout all of our tourism and everyday travels, the Taiwanese students attending the summer camp accompanied us along the way. They were extremely helpful and graciously willing to be our guides and translators as we toured the country. For many of them, they spoke more English during that week than they had ever spoken before. It was my first time experiencing a language barrier where I had to communicate differently so that the students and other locals could understand me. This was a unique experience that will serve me well in other non-English speaking regions. Nevertheless, they spoke English much better than they gave credit for themselves. I enjoyed our many conversations and interactions. I learned more about their culture as they shared their experiences with me.

     The cultural difference that stands out the most to me was the food. As in all cultures, the cuisine plays an integral part in the Taiwanese experience. I was surprised when we sat in a restaurant where they served us raw food that we had to cook ourselves on the stovetop table in front of us. I was shocked when I smelled the Stinky Tofu, a delicacy that many locals find tasty. I tried different types of meats, fruits, and vegetables, some of which were really delicious. But throughout this endeavor, I rejoiced whenever I encountered food that I recognized from home and knew that it was good. It was a guilty pleasure to eat Kentucky Fried Chicken in a country far, far away.

     The following are other aspects of Taiwan that I thought were interesting and worth mentioning. Mopeds are a dominant mode of transportation on the island. The city streets, parking lots, and sidewalks are flooded with these miniature motorcycles. It is an inexpensive way to get around town that serves the residents well. Karaoke is a favorite pastime in many East Asian cultures. Extravagant buildings reminiscent of five-star hotels are dedicated solely to the enjoyment of performing popular songs for friends. Lastly, Taiwan's location makes it susceptible to many natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and typhoons. We experienced an earthquake on the Tuesday night. Most of us were not from California, and some were shaken (figuratively) by the experience. Simultaneously, a developing typhoon was moving in the island's direction. Thankfully, it followed the forecast by turning away from land and out to sea.

Concluding Remarks

     Once again, I am very thankful for being able to attend the Science Summer Camp in Taiwan. The impact that this experience has on me will only grow as I grow older. I learned so much about the world as I traveled outside of the familiar American borders. I made new friends, American and Taiwanese alike, whom I may see in the future as our scientific journeys cross paths. Bill Kuo told us that the purpose of inviting students to attend the colloquium was to invest in the future sustainment and advancement of GPS radio occultation. I have learned so much about this technology, and I hope to fulfill that purpose someday.