Long Way To Go

27 May 2022. The auditorium of the Bangladesh National Science Museum is magnificently decorated. The science minister, renowned scientists, and other esteemed individuals are seated on the beautifully adorned stage. Journalists are snapping photos one after another. I sit in awe, glancing at my parents and sister, seeing the excitement radiate from them.

It was February 2019 when I decided to participate in the Olympiad. From that moment on, I nurtured my dream, hoping that one day it would grow into something substantial. I dreamt of representing my country on an international Olympiad platform. But the road ahead was uncertain. Our family had only one Android phone, which my elder sister primarily used. Whenever I got a chance to use the phone for a few hours, I would dive into Google or YouTube. The internet became my only teacher on this journey since we didn’t have the means to hire a private tutor. As a child from a lower-middle-class family, I knew there would be many more hurdles, but I was determined to push forward with whatever resources I had.

June-July 2021. The battle began with approximately 15,000 participants from 571 different schools. After two long months and seven rigorous tests, I was among the top ten. I had just finished the TST exam, and in a few days, the IJSO team was supposed to be announced. I was exhausted and anxious. I looked in the bathroom mirror after a long time and saw dark circles under my eyes. I knew I needed rest, so I slept for about 12 hours and woke up around 11 AM. When I checked my email, I was shocked—there was a message stating that my interview would be conducted at 8 PM tonight. The email had been sent the previous day at 2 AM. Immediately, I sat down at my study table and started reading a chapter on "Electrochemistry" from chemistry, a topic I wasn’t particularly strong in. I skipped my bath and asked my mother to bring me food so I could focus. The interview went well, and I finally got up from my table.

August 2021. I was utterly devastated. Nothing felt right. The results should have been announced by now, but I hadn’t received any call. I was trying hard to appear strong, but my family understood the turmoil I was in. They offered comfort and encouragement, but I could sense they felt just as anxious as I did. It seemed they had begun to see my dream as their own. After all, it’s FAMILY. In the middle of August, I finally got the news—I had made it onto the team. Though I’m usually shy, I couldn’t control my emotions that day. I cried, holding my sister, and we shared that moment of relief together.

September 2021. I had to travel from Khulna to Dhaka for the training camp. It was a new environment with new people and new challenges. I had never lived without my mother before, but this time, I had to. Within a few days, I made friends with almost everyone. Those days were incredibly challenging. Whenever I got confused with electric circuits, titration theory, or pedigree analysis, I felt a bit down. Yet, at the same time, my heart was filled with joy at the thought of tackling another challenge and solving another problem.

12-20 December 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we took the IJSO exam online. The test didn’t go as well as I had hoped, but it wasn’t bad either.

21 December 2021. Today is the day the results are announced. Everyone is on edge. The results are being streamed on YouTube. I locked myself in the bathroom, placed my phone on the basin, and sat on the commode. My heart was racing, and I could feel my body temperature rising. My fingers were crossed. Suddenly, I heard the name "Swadhin Roy Sunny."

The result is just a moment of happiness. But it’s the journey to that result that shapes us into the people we aspire to be.

27 May 2022. The medals will be officially distributed today. As I sit in the auditorium, memories of my journey flood my mind.

(I’m thankful to January for bringing me happiness. I’m thankful to March for making me a problem solver. I’m thankful to June-July for instilling determination. I’m thankful to August for teaching me patience. I’m thankful to September for making me strong. I’m thankful to God for blessing me with my family. And I’m thankful to myself for becoming who I am.)

Suddenly, I hear my name called from the stage. I rise from my seat and walk towards the stage to receive my medal from the Honorable Minister of Science. As I stand on the stage, I look out at my father, mother, and sister. They are smiling and clapping, and I can see the tears in their eyes. My own vision blurs with tears—tears of joy, not sadness.

Quickly, I remove my glasses and wipe my eyes. This is not the time to see things blurry—there’s still a long way to go.