My heartbeat thundered in my ears as my body surged forward. I was on day 17 of what had become my routine, 6AM jog on the Stanford University campus. Fresh air danced on my face as sunrise dew glimmered like gold on the road before me. I felt alive.
As I crossed the famous Oval, a familiar thought came to me: how truly beautiful and green this campus is! It holds such greatness; a greatness that emanates from the faces of all who graduate from Stanford and are now changing the world. This university is truly an amazing place, one that equips you with the wings of freedom and education. It enables you to unleash your potential, challenge the status quo and make positive changes in the world. After attending classes for two weeks, having multiple conversations with my professors and engaging with my classmates on multiple projects, I was convinced that Stanford University embraces innovative intellectuality, collaboration, change, and “thinking big”.
Stanford University’s philosophy is to teach the importance of being open to new opportunities. The professors encourage their students to take on challenges, and to not be afraid of failure. Values I could not agree with more! It is only by embracing change and accepting failure that one can go outside of their comfort zone and have a lasting impact on the world.
There is a cornerstone at the Knight Management Center of the Business School that reads:
“Dedicated to the things that haven’t happened yet and the people who are about to dream them up”.
Upon seeing this artwork for the first time, I knew deep down I was in the right place and that my soul had found a new home, as positively impacting the lives of thousands of people is at the core of my being.
...Getting back to my morning run - halfway through I stopped to observe a beautiful scene: a seagull walked next to the Oval’s fragrant roses, before spreading his wings and flying away towards the sunny sky. I exchanged smiles with three other morning runners who were passing by and who appeared to be having a wonderful morning, just like I was.
Everyone was so friendly and supportive at Stanford University. During my time spent in and outside the classes, I experienced the culture of collaboration, which encouraged me to work harder and strive to build meaningful relationships. Every day I was excited to learn from my classmates while I shared my knowledge of investments and entrepreneurship with them. Many of them said that they found my thoughts to be very valuable, which made me happy.
At our summer orientation session, Jimmy Moore, an associate director of Special Programs said: “Welcome to Paradise!” It made me realize that, indeed, Stanford is paradise - a delightful place with remarkable nature. A place where people are educated on what it means to be the best versions of themselves. Students leave Stanford University empowered to do significant things that will change the lives of millions.
Imagine if the entire world was like Stanford? An ever-green place where people smile at each other. Where everyone works hard to access the depths of their ideas, talents, experiences and intellects, only to share it all with the planet?
When I was a kid, I dreamt of a perfect world - a world where people are happy and children are laughing while playing on the green grass. Perhaps I was dreaming of a place like Stanford. What if we could build world like that? Would we be able to do it?
I don't yet know the answer to this question, but I promise I will do everything I can to make my dream a reality. Like thousands of Stanford students and alumni before me, I will work hard to make a positive impact and build a better world for all humanity.
1. Stanford GSB Artwork: “Ways to Change” by Peter Wegner. 2. The Main Quad 3. Stanford Memorial Church 4. At the Main Quad. 5. A Globe inside of the Green Library. 6. Inside of the Stanford Memorial Church. 7. Speaking about VC and entrepreneurship for Stanford summer students. 8. Fountain by the Green Library.
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