The TEDx NIS Experience: From a Student’s Eyes

The TEDx NIS Experience: From a Student’s Eyes

By Zaki S.

My experience at the first-ever TEDx talk hosted by NIS was stupendous. I enjoyed every moment, although it felt quite strenuous at first. This event is proof of the wonders that dedication has to offer in the end.

February was my busiest month so far, as I had been stuck with events within and outside the school. I took part in a university MUN right before this event. It was less than a week before the event, when I was actually able to focus on getting ready for it.

I had signed up for the TEDx event for one main reason: to overcome my fear of public speaking.

Ever since the start of this school year, I took this goal to heart. It had always been something I’ve wanted to overcome, yet I never really took the initiative to make it happen. But now that I am focused on it,  this year I did this TEDx talk and a student council position speech — which I won — to counteract my fear of public speaking. Both of these events helped to  greatly improved my confidence and articulation as well.

Henry Ford was right, “One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.”

So, I wrote my speech on a Monday night after the tiring weekend, revised it, and fixed it throughout the week before the time came to present. I spent nights practicing alone at home and mornings practicing in classrooms, to enhance the way I articulate and relay my speech.

Writing the speech, too, was not easy. I truly spent time with myself in introspection, thinking of a topic that would be known but only to an extent; something people can understand, and excites people.

Being a part of the TEDx taught me invaluable lessons that nothing else could teach right now or perhaps ever. It taught me that anything and everything is possible. The possibilities in this world are limitless. It, also taught me that I should imagine and not feel worried about sharing that imagination with others. What’s the worst that could happen after all?

Zaki Mikhail S.,

A Junior Scholar at NIS Dubai.