At the beginning of my master’s degree at Emory University, the ideas I carried with me were like a small spark, unsure if they’d ever find a place to grow. But Atlanta quickly proved to be that place for me. From day one, I was welcomed and treated with kindness and warmth. As soon as I got here, I was accepted into the incubator program at The Hatchery, Emory’s Center for Innovation. My time there flew by, especially because of the creative freedom to think boldly, explore problems, and learn from creative minds all around me. It was this dynamic that drove me to apply for the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst program for my startup, On the Level. Lacking a comprehensive understanding of the program, I found myself researching Techstars in a series of YouTube videos and Google searches. Eventually, I determined that it was a very competitive accelerator on par with Y Combinator. I was surprised to see people sharing their acceptance videos on YouTube, and this motivated me to take the leap forward and apply to the program.As a first-generation international student, I
wasn’t used to my ideas being embraced so quickly.
It felt strange for my ideas to be welcomed and accepted, and it shifted something in me — a positive feeling that encouraged me to make the best of the opportunities in front of me. Through interactions with fellow creatives, guest speakers and workshops, I learned a lot about myself and the expression of ideas.