As I sat at the cozy restaurant with my friends, surrounded by the aroma of freshly cooked food and baked cakes, I couldn't help but think about how I got to where I am today. As a university student and a course rep much is expected from you to do, though I didn't care much of what other people thought of me as I was always doing my own things my own way. It was a typical Monday morning when we received an unexpected information about an individual project to work on by our principal
"Hello everyone, I came here today to tell you about an individual project which all of you will be working on" he said as he walked into our class.
It was an impromptu project and just like how most students would debate over it, we exercised out displeasure about it.
"Sir why this sudden project" Miriam which sat at my back said while the other students in the class quarreled him for such an announcement
"Calm down everyone, this is a project for the whole class to determine how smart you all are" he said in an attempt to calm the students down.
"Then sir why this sudden, why not push it to our midterm semester exam". I replied trying to make him understand we weren't ready.
"Listen to me all of you, this is important and it must be done this week, end of discussion" he answered as he ended the discussion and walked out of the class.
We all knew this was unlike him to give such an impromptu announcement and how fast he wanted it done made me think he was Hiding something from us but nevertheless we all started the project, later in the day we all were given the topic to work on and it was a project to to test our knowledge on what we all knew about the given topic.
In an attempt to search for various knowledge on the topic, one evening I went to the bookstore located in the heart of the city, Emma was a friend of mine and her dad was the owner of the bookstore. The bookstore was a place where book lovers and book collectors would gather to share their wonderful stories and Hunt for new discovery and I was in need of such a book.
"Good evening Mr Thomas" I said as I walked into the store.
"Good evening my dear, how are you doing and what brings you here today" he replied.
"Actually sir am in search of a book or any textbook with the title "the essence of existence". I answered as I gazed upon the book shelves
Emma's father "Mr Thomas" was intrigued by the topic and guided me through the store in search of the book , after hours of searching we finally saw it hidden away in a dusty corner in one of the shelves.
"Here it is, is it this one" Mr Thomas alerted me while coming down from the old rusty ladder close to the bookshelf.
"Yes it's the one" i said as I checked it's content.
"Ok can I be of any assistance again" Mr Thomas asked
" No sir, but thanks for your assistance and help in finding the book, I will have to go now but thanks once again" i replied as i was leaving the store happy that I found what i was looking for.
As I got home , I stayed awake all night reading and studying, doing Research about the project but never knew that my hard work would pay out. Finally it was the day to present our discoveries and I was confident, bold and sure about what I wrote and I was eager to share my thoughts with the class.
"Good day everyone" the principal greeted. "This is Mr Williams and he is going to be the one examining your presentation for the project" he introduced him knowing we had no knowledge of who he was.
We went on one by one according to how the register carried our names and when it was time for my presentation I boldly came out, presented an amazing idea and after I finished with my presentation something amazing happened after afterwards.
"Wait, who are you and where did you get such a lovely knowledge" he asked as I was about going back to my seat.
"I researched about it in different ways" i replied confident of what I presented
"I am amazed by your presentation and I would like to propose an offer for you" he said.
As I stood in front of the class, wondering what the offer would be, I couldn't help but notice the complete silence which filled the class as everyone watched Mr Williams and I.
"What would that be sir" I asked.
"I am looking for one of the brightest minds in each university i visit and if you're lucky enough to be one of them
You would have a chance to travel abroad completely free of charge and study any course of your choice without paying anything" he answered smiling right at me.
The principal which was standing next to me smiled and said"that was the purpose of the project and this opportunity only comes once in a blue moon and so I advice you take it ".
Still shocked at the life time opportunity which has just presented it self to me which many student wouldn't think twice to accept, I was speechless at that moment. I had always wanted to travel abroad most especially to the united kingdom but never thought it would be possible, I hesitated at first thinking that it may be a scam to use me but my friends and principal convinced me it was for real and I applied and signed the necessary documents and also told my parents
Few days later, we traveled out of the country and the first three months in United Kingdom was life changing, I explored the city and discovered exciting things about the place and when I returned home i became a transformed person with a new sense of purpose. Looking back I realized that sometimes life presents us with unexpected opportunities that comes once in a blue moon but we must be brave and confidence enough to claim it and seize them even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
