Undergraduate /
I have lost in a competition, but I have won many things - IMP: Astronomy - Common App Essay [18]
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?It might sound so silly, But who would believe that my grandfathers - The great pharaohs - were great scientists of Astronomy who built the pyramids according to Orion constellations and we -Egyptians- today care about any other thing but Astronomy! That word that sounds like a beautiful composition called "Astronomy" which describes brilliant, colorful and inconceivable things surfing the universe, would break me to pieces.
So, for an astronomy-obsessed person like me, I am used to exploiting anything related to the most thing I am passion about. So, Once before, my eyes fell on an event called "NASA Space Apps" It is an event presented by NASA where it releases challenges every year so that the ordinary people shall show their creativity and solve them just in 48 hours! Missing a chance like this would be such an awful nightmare for me! Well, I have faced some struggles, but anyway, after going over them, I created a team of 3 senior Electrical Engineers I met online. We have talked a lot about the event and the challenge, and I guess they saw the passion and the knowledge I had, and for so, they nominated me to lead the team, and it was my honor!
Going over getting acceptance from parents for going, ALONE!, preparing for weeks and finally, reaching the desired place where the event is held. The event started so as we starting the hard work for consecutive 48 hours. One of the most memorable things happened was that I met "Mohamed Sallam" the only Arab and Egyptian person nominated to be an astronaut for Mars One trip on 2026. He was able to remember me through our online conversations we had. He worked with me on my project, and I can never forget how grateful it was working with such knowledgeable person that has the passion for exactly common things.
He gave me the required motivation and It was my turn to make the presentation in front of the judges. I had the ability to introduce seven applications added to the space suit going to planet Mars and ultimately explain them in just FOUR MINUTES! Surprisingly, Mr. Mohamed was watching.
The moment of truth came, That moment of hearing that we have had no position was so shocking and dramatic. It was so hard to believe that all of this was not good enough. Well, I have to say that I got a bit relaxed after knowing that the team which won in our challenge, had only one idea similar -If not even lesser- to one of ours. When we asked about refusing our seven applications and accepting only one, the answer was "They have applied it on hardware." So, maybe the reason of my failure was the lack of resources which I -unfortunately- had no money to buy, and the organizers could not provide!
In the end, Actually, nobody is a loser! No one loses everything! Yes, I have lost in a competition, but I have won many things! I gained an excess amount of self-confidence, teamwork experience and most importantly knowledge! I have earned the confidence of me passing through the right path in addition to a certificate of recognition for my participation! I have lost a medal, but I have earned working personally with my hero and my champ, Mr. Mohamed. In addition to the words he said after the competition. These words which will never detach my ears. "I wanted to tell you, your presentation was great, I took pics on my phone for all of your slides. Also, you are a very talented speaker keep it up and don't mind the judging, they know very little about space, let nothing stop you. You had charisma, and you were very organized. I get inspired by people like you, so don't ever stop, You are a winner to me."
Thanks a lot, Please reply me as fast as possible as my deadline is tomorrow.
