8/13/2019 ADZU Final
1/1
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. Ialso 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.
