I'm a student about to start my master studies and I'm starting to have opportunities to take part in a symposium and a conference.
I have an accepted article at the conference and was therefore allowed to register for the conference. This involved paying (not on me) the registration fee etc.
I don't have an article for the symposium but the symposium interests me a lot. The chairs offered student support i.e. (partially) waive the registration fee for some students even if the student doesn't have an accepted article (although preference is given to those that do).
It turns out I wasn't granted this support. However, I'm still allowed to attend the talks without registering.
So, if I don't need to be registered to attend talks: what does it exactly mean to be registered for a symposium and/or conference? From which activities am I excluded by not registering and for which ones am I not excluded?
The symposium is abroad but I will be there around that time by coincidence. Is it worth staying there for a couple of extra days considering the activities I'm eligible for?