I was offered the chance to study at a United World College- a school that promised not just education, but a transformative experience with peers from all over the world. It was more than just a high school; it was a place where diverse ideas collided, and where learning was designed to change the way you see the world.

But life, as it often does, had its own plans. My parents couldn’t grasp why this opportunity meant so much to me. I commited myself fully to earn a spot there—calling, emailing, and taking interviews to show that I was genuinely invested in what the school stood for.

Although this opportunity passed me by, it taught me how to recognize the moments in life that can truly change you, even if you don’t get to live them out.

Life’s biggest decisions often aren’t as clear-cut as they seem. What we see on the surface—the choice between something “safe” and something “risky”—rarely tells the whole story. There’s always a deeper current beneath those options, shaped by timing, intuition, and the ability to see what others might miss. And even when things don’t make sense in the moment, that’s often when the most transformative opportunities arise.

Back in 2020, when the world was thrown into chaos by the pandemic, I had an offer from Netflix after spending the past year working on an open-source project with their team. It was the best choice, no doubt. But, I saw something bigger on the horizon—blockchain and tokenization initiatives at Fidelity. Sure, these technologies were still pretty speculative at the time, but I believed it would reshape finance. Fast forward to 2025, and digital assets are going mainstream, thanks to relaxed policies and growing adoption.

My career move wasn’t about chasing a trend—it was about seeing the bigger picture and exploring new possibilities. Considering all I’ve learned, I’m grateful I took that chance.