How has the Ateneo de Zamboanga University helped in your personal growth and development?

As an Atenean student, still on the process of preparing myself for a better future, the Ateneo has already helped me in various ways specifically on helping me to internalize the true meaning of excellence, spirituality and service. In thirst for excellence, the Ateneo taught me to always strive for it. Not just to act it but to make it a habit. I am a hardworking athlete and at the same time a consistent honor student. I know the importance of getting on top of everyone; I know the splendor feeling of it. But it was not the one that really taught me the true value of excellence. Actually, its my failure that helps me realized the true measure of it, that its not all about the end results. Instead, it is the journey Ive gone through; the commitment, the attitude and determination in achieving certain things in life are the things that count the most. In discerning spirituality, the Ateneo showed me that they are not just a simple Catholic university by name. They are a true Catholic university who truly upholds the teachings of Christ. Im a Muslim student, but I witnessed how Ateneo warmly welcomed new students especially students coming from different walks of life. I also appreciated on how they respect and give justice to everyone where they allowed us to have our own prayer room and to take Islamic studies as our RS subject. In this way, they helped me and other students to practice our faith, to enhance our spiritual facet of life, and to be culturally sensitive with others. In committing to service, the Ateneo planted the Ignatian values in my mind and in my heart. The calling to be men and women for others is not just beautiful phrases, but rather a touch at the very core of my commitment towards service and common good. Im a SACSI Volunteer and as a volunteer I realized that this phrase above goes far beyond simple community service work. Because this phrase is focused on a central value of love for others and calls us to understand other peoples and cultures as well as to be with the people with whom we are called to serve. In summary, every bit of values and teachings that the Ateneo de Zamboanga University has taught me for the past 15 years is very essential of what I am right now. Every moment, every experience, every person I have encountered in this school molded me into a person I am today. All of those things are significant parts that transform my character into something that is rooted to the Ignatian way of living life which I am very grateful of today.