Why Every Student Should Experience the Brapi Hackathon

 When I first heard about the Brapi Hackathon, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I stumbled across the event while digging through some open-source tools for plant data analysis, which had nothing to do with my current school projects. Still, something about the community behind BrAPI and the hackathon's open, collaborative spirit caught my attention.

I signed up, not really knowing anyone else who would be there or whether I’d even be able to contribute much. I’m a third-year computer science student based in Manila, and while I’ve done a few solo projects and school competitions, nothing really compares to what I experienced at the Brapi Hackathon.

From the moment I joined the virtual kickoff, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Everyone was there to learn, share, and build. The organizers were incredibly welcoming. It didn’t matter where you came from or what your background was. People from all over the world were jumping into projects together. Within the first hour, I had already joined a small team working on improving the BrAPI test server and making it more beginner friendly.

What I loved most was how easy it was to contribute. Unlike some hackathons that feel like a race against the clock, Brapi's event felt like a space to genuinely explore and grow. My team members were kind, patient, and full of ideas. We spent hours brainstorming, coding, testing, and laughing over unexpected bugs. It never felt stressful. It felt meaningful.

One of the biggest things I took away was the value of open collaboration. In school, you often work alone or with the same small circle. But here, I was working with plant scientists, developers, and data nerds who brought different ideas to the table. It reminded me that software isn’t just about code. It’s about the people behind it, and the impact it can have in areas like agriculture, biodiversity, and data transparency.

Since the event, I’ve stayed connected with the people I met. We still chat about updates and even help each other with unrelated coding problems. That sense of global community is something I never expected when I first signed up.

If you’re a student thinking about joining a hackathon, or if you’ve never worked on open-source before, I truly encourage you to take part in the next Brapi Hackathon. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about showing up, being curious, and learning from others. I’m so glad I did.

Thanks to the Brapi team and everyone I met for making it such an unforgettable experience. I’ll definitely be back next year.

— Jesse