Growing up, I was that kid who always asked “why?”—sometimes to the annoyance of teachers and parents. Little did I know, that same relentless curiosity would become my greatest asset, not just in the classroom, but in building apps, exploring business, and understanding the world.

Curiosity Is the First Step

For me, every new project—whether it’s a school assignment, a tech build, or a new business idea—starts with a question:

• Why does this work like that?

• Can we do it better?

• What happens if I take a different approach?

It’s easy to follow instructions and get things done, but real breakthroughs happen when I pause and probe beneath the surface. Some of my best code, most creative ideas, and even friendships started with a simple, almost naive, question.

Uncovering Connections Others Miss

Studying in the IB exposed me to so many disciplines that, at first, felt unrelated. But curiosity nudged me to find the hidden threads connecting math with business strategy, politics with technology, psychology with user-centered design. Suddenly, every subject became a playground for discovery.

I’ve found that the students who ask more, learn more—and build cooler stuff. That’s because curiosity pushes you to explore documentation nobody else reads, reach out to people you haven’t met, and try tools you’ve never seen.

Overcoming Fear of the Unknown

The hardest part about being curious is facing not knowing, and admitting it. Early on, I was scared to ask “embarrassing” questions, thinking it made me look foolish. Now, I realize the quickest way to learn is to own your gaps. Curiosity isn’t about always knowing the answer—it’s about never settling when you don’t.

Curiosity Breeds Innovation and Resilience

When something breaks in my code, or a business plan falls flat, my curiosity turns frustration into “what went wrong?” From there, I dig, experiment, and almost always find a new path. That mindset fuels resilience—because curiosity replaces fear with excitement, even when things get tough.

Tech, Business, and the Human Side

Being curious is also about people. Some of the best features in my software, or the biggest insights in business, came simply from asking “what do you need?” or “how do you solve this?” Listening is just another form of curiosity—and it creates real solutions.

Making Curiosity a Daily Habit

• I read widely outside my comfort zone—startup stories, design portfolios, even car modification blogs.

• I tinker: break things, build them, then break them again.

• I connect with other builders, students, and leaders. Their journeys add breadth to mine.

Final Thoughts

As an IBDP student and builder, I’ve learned the journey is less about knowing everything, and more about being endlessly, fearlessly curious. That’s what turns ordinary work into extraordinary growth.