I firmly believe that ESU Serbia 2024 National Public Speaking Competition highlighted the endeavours I wanted to pursue later. On that occasion I presented a speech stressing that it is only our mindset and approach to circumstances in our life that give meaning to situations that occur to us. Shortly after the competition, I received the wonderful news that I had been accepted to study at an eminent and prestigious university - Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic! Now I am a second year Bachelor's student pursuing PPE, which stands for Politics, Philosophy, Economics, and public speaking in English language is a crucial and essential part of my everyday life here! ESU Serbia's competition taught me about the importance of first impressions and the art of meaningful public speaking, which is ever-present for me, given the fact that I frequently engage with the diplomatic staff of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Prague, formal and informal educators across the world (as I am in a plethora of international NGO's where I passionately advocate for youth rights & activism), as well as my engagements with the Members of the European Parliament, my professors and peers. I remember it being such an inspirational and intriguing journey preparing for the ESU Serbia competition, and I cherished every step of it - from writing the essay to practicing it in front of the mirror & in front of my English professor, and then finally in front of ESU Serbia judges. I would highly recommend to young people to contribute to this competition with their personal points of views and compete!