Joining the case competition was my way of putting myself out there and trying something new. Win or lose, whether I knew anyone or not, I wanted to explore beyond what I was used to and understand what a case competition really was and whether I was capable of taking on that challenge. What made the experience even more meaningful was that it was my first time joining one, making the achievement all the more unexpected and rewarding.

The competition pushed me to think outside the box and go beyond the concepts taught in class. It challenged me to look at problems through a real-world lens and apply what I had learned more practically and strategically. Seeing how things work outside the classroom helped me grow not just academically, but also creatively and critically.

One of the most memorable parts of the experience was meeting other students and learning how they think and hearing different perspectives and approaches to the same problem was incredibly eye-opening. Of course, hearing our team's name called during the awarding was unforgettable, as was getting the chance to learn from the speakers and gain insights from their experiences.

To anyone who feels hesitant or unsure about joining, don't overthink it, just go for it. If you don't know anyone, that's okay; you'll be placed on a team, and those teammates might become your friends, and maybe you'll even win together. Even if things don't turn out exactly as you hoped, you'll gain new experiences, and that always counts for something. Ateneo organizations offer so many opportunities, and students should really make the most of them. At the end of the day, whether you win or lose, you'll meet new people, step outside your comfort zone, and most importantly, you tried, and that alone is something to be proud of.