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Challenging. That is the word I would use to describe the task of choosing favorite experiences to highlight from a week in which each and every day was filled with meaningful encounters, engaging sessions, and once-in-a-lifetime cultural events.Out of 14,826 employees at my workplace, I am the only music therapist - a very common tale for our profession. Therefore, to be surrounded by over 1,000 music therapists from all over the world in Krems was deeply encouraging, deeply enriching, and deeply needed.But more than just meeting others who happen to share a job title, I had the chance to interact with like-minded souls who share an interest in learning about the state of music therapy around the world and who share a passion for wanting to explore how to provide access to music therapy in places where there currently is none in culturally sensitive ways so that the values and music native to a place may be upheld.Also of noteworthy mention is the diversity of presentations I had the opportunity to attend, including sessions on working with refugees in Lebanon, international panels on education and research in our profession, and a host of other topics from researchers based in Finland, Colombia, India, and more.And then there were the unique cultural events that only could have taken place in Austria. I won't soon forget looking at the original copy of The Blue Danube Waltz inside of a charming castle mere meters away from the peaceful river after which that piece is named. And this was just before a complementary tasting of Austrian wines and a private concert by one of the top orchestras in the country.Not only am I already looking forward to the next World Congress in Japan, but I look forward to exploring the new ideas, projects, research and simply friendly conversations that develop over the next three years out of the connections I had the opportunity to make with such special individuals from around the world. Dr. Silverman shared this very appropriate quote in one of his presentations: "1 universe, 9 planets, 204 countries, 7 seas, and I had the privilege of meeting you." I feel deep gratitude for the incredible individuals that I had the privilege of meeting this year at the World Congress of Music Therapy.Julie Lytle, MT-BCWFMT Executive Assistant
