Standing Back Up

Finally, the Conclusions that I was able to draw from this invaluable Gates Cambridge Interview experience:

• It was a formative experience where I tried my best to convince the leaders in science and technology
• I am happy, and thanful to God, on being able to speak confidently amid their psychological pressure (they made me sit on the President's chair on the round table :-D), to generate answers (small pauses did not shatter my will power) and to address such eminent scholars authoritatively
• I gained valuable experience in being interviewed for the Gates Scholarship, which definitely prepares me for, God-willing, the future showdown with the Gates Committee
• I realized that the encouragement and morale-boost alone from the people who appreciate your value and praise your skills have the ability to prepare you for the greatest hurdles
• I met and befriended other brilliant successful young scholars in their respective fields, many of whom have already begun their Gates journey, to better appreciate the fact that everyone is a human, after all is said and done, with a desire to serve our kind
• I now appreciate that I am already a blessed being who has been awarded even this much honor of being interviewed by many successful people in science and technology
• Right before the interview, the fact that I could successfully convert my nervousness into the excitement for all that awaits me after I present the best of myself during the interview shattered my fears and raised my morale
• I should never let down an opportunity that comes my way because clearly an opportunity missed is an opportunity lost! As this anonymous quote goes: "Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss."
• I feel today that I am more humble now and ever motivated to achieve higher highs. I will conclude with my latest realization that Optimism makes you resilient against setbacks.