My First Blog

Hello gengss !! My name is Samuel, I’m from Surakarta, and I am currently an intern at the Apple Developer Academy. Let me take you back to the beginning of my journey.

How I First Heard About Apple Developer Academy

Back in junior high school, a friend told me about the Apple Developer Academy (ADA). He said he wanted to join because ADA offers great experiences, a supportive learning environment, and even provides devices for learning. That made me really interested!

I started researching the program, but I was disappointed when I found out that applicants under 17 years old were not eligible to apply.

Years Later...

In 2022, I graduated with my diploma and started thinking about what to do next. After some time, I suddenly remembered what my friend had told me about ADA. This time, I was finally old enough to apply!

I reached out to some friends who had joined ADA in previous years. I asked them about their experiences, and their stories made me even more excited to apply. So, I started preparing my application—gathering documents, creating my CV, and building a portfolio for the first batch of applications. I was optimistic and believed I had a good chance of getting in.

Facing Doubts

After submitting my application, I talked to my friend Abraham and told him, “Hey Abraham, I just applied to Apple Developer Academy! What do you think?”

He responded, “What?! Really, bro? You probably won’t get accepted on your first try. My friend from outside UC wasn’t accepted at first, but he got in on his second application. So don’t expect too much.”

Even though his words made me feel a bit nervous, I didn’t let them bring me down.

I had learned about fixed mindset and growth mindset, and I chose to have a growth mindset. I believed in myself and prayed for strength.

The application process had three phases:

1. Document submission – I passed!
2. Online test (pseudo-coding) – I passed again!
3. Interview – This was the hardest part because it required good public speaking skills.

On the day of my interview, I prayed for confidence and just focused on doing my best. I decided not to worry about the results because I knew I had given it my all.

The Result

For days, I kept checking my email, hoping to get a response from ADA. Then, the announcement finally arrived. I was nervous as I opened it...

And guess what? I got accepted! I became an official participant of the Apple Developer Academy @ UC – Cohort 2024!

I was so happy and grateful. It felt like a dream come true!

Fun Fact

My friend told me that usually, applicants from outside UC have lower chance of getting accepted because most spots are taken by students from other universities in Indonesia. When I heard this, I realized how competitive it was and how lucky I was to have made it. Without God’s help, I don’t think I could have achieved this.

Lessons I Learned

Here are some key lessons I want to share with you:

1. Don’t overthink what others say about your decisions. Believe in yourself!
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your parents, friends, or mentors if you need guidance.
3. Pray and ask for strength. Sometimes, things are beyond our control, and faith can give us the courage to keep going.

What Is a Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset?

Definitions

• Fixed Mindset: Believing that intelligence and abilities are fixed traits that cannot change. People with this mindset avoid challenges, fear failure, and see effort as pointless.
• Growth Mindset: Believing that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and learning. People with this mindset embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and see failures as opportunities for growth.

Key Differences

Understanding these differences can help us grow, improve, and succeed in life.

Reference:
Thoughtfull - Growth vs. Fixed Mindset

That’s my story! Thank you for reading, and I hope it inspires you to keep chasing your dreams. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in sosial media @samuelsteven_ph ! 😊