Success isn't always measured by a medal or a placing. Sometimes it's measured by the conversations that challenge your thinking, the moments that push you beyond your comfort zone, and the perspective you bring home.
For Year 10 student Anna, representing Australia at the Future Problem Solving International Finals in the United States was exactly that.
After competing alongside some of the world's brightest young thinkers, Anna continued her journey to Harvard University, where she participated in an intensive academic writing program exploring literature, identity, ethics, and communication. Together, these experiences became far more than academic achievements. They became opportunities for growth.
Future Problem Solving International Finals
Anna earned her place on the Australian team after being awarded Best Writer in the On-Site Scenario Writing Middle Division at the 2025 Future Problem Solving National Finals. This outstanding achievement saw her selected to represent Australia at the 2026 Future Problem Solving International Conference.
Future Problem Solving is an international academic program that challenges students to think critically and creatively about complex future issues. Competitors analyse emerging global challenges, develop innovative solutions, and demonstrate advanced problem solving, communication, and scenario writing skills.
In the Scenario Writing event, students are presented with an unseen future situation and must craft an original, creative response within a strict time limit, drawing on both imagination and critical thinking.
Held at Indiana University, the 2026 Future Problem Solving International Conference brought together 1,454 champion problem solvers from 11 countries and 259 schools and organisations, making it one of the world's largest gatherings of young problem solvers.
Learning from the world's best
For Anna, one of the greatest takeaways wasn't the competition itself, but the opportunity to exchange ideas with students from around the world.
"For the Future Problem Solving Competition, I had the opportunity to network and interact with other students from around the world and integrate their thinking into my own."
Although Australia did not place among the top three teams in the Middle or Senior divisions, Anna received an Honourable Commentary in the On-Site Scenario Writing event, recognising the quality of her work among an exceptionally strong international field.
While the result wasn't what she had hoped for, it became an important lesson in resilience.
"Although I was quite disappointed in my results after a long journey, looking back, it was merely a fork in the road."
Rather than focusing solely on the outcome, Anna reflected on what the experience revealed about herself.
"As important as it is to understand what went wrong with the competition itself, it is more important to understand myself and how to improve my mindset under pressure."
Writing at Harvard
Following the competition, Anna attended an intensive academic writing program at Harvard University, joining talented young writers from around the world in a series of university-style seminars, workshops, and presentations.
The program explored literature through a broad range of perspectives, encouraging students to examine complex ideas surrounding ethics, identity, and communication while challenging them to think and write beyond conventional viewpoints.
As one of the youngest participants, Anna found herself learning not only from expert mentors, but also from her peers.
"The Harvard program taught me how to view, understand and communicate with the world through a lens that is rarely perceived."
Workshops pushed students beyond traditional academic writing, with impromptu writing exercises ranging from deeply personal reflections to imaginative perspectives far removed from reality.
Perhaps the biggest challenge came when it was time to share her work.
"As jittery as I was to present my writing in a packed Ivy League lecture theatre with a spotlight and a mic, I was truly grateful for the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and share ideas with people similar to me."
The program also encouraged thoughtful discussions around ethics, identity, and the relationship between literature and society, prompting students to consider how stories shape the way we understand ourselves and the world around us.
These conversations left a lasting impression.
"Overall, I believe that the Harvard program and my Future Problem Solving World Finals taught me priceless experiences and networks that changed my mindset and the way I perceive my identity."
Learning beyond the classroom
Anna's journey reflects the opportunities available through Korowa's Learning Enrichment and Extension Program. By supporting students to pursue learning beyond the classroom, the program encourages them to challenge themselves, think globally, and embrace opportunities that broaden both their knowledge and their perspective.
Anna's experience is a reminder that success isn't always measured by a trophy. Sometimes it's found in the ideas you discover, the people you meet, and the person you become along the way.
Those are lessons that last long after the competition ends.
