The Difficulties and Acquired Resilience of a Talented Non-Native English-Speaking Science Student Participating in an International Youth Summit

This is a case study of a highly talented secondary school student who was selected to participate in a specialised science education programme organised by a university and who also attended an international youth summit. The student lived in a rural area with limited exposure to English. Initially, she was disappointed in her poor English communication skills and felt alienated within the group at the summit. However, she gradually built relationships with the students in her group, and by the end, the group delivered an impressive presentation. The results of the post-summit questionnaire indicated that the student was able to overcome setbacks and difficulties through various collaborative contexts. The experience also motivated her to study English. The International Youth Summit provides a valuable opportunity for gifted students to showcase their abilities and build self-resilience, as they spend an extended amount of time with a diverse group of similarly gifted peers.