“Success demands discipline”.
Gerónimo Castaño Orozco, a graduate of 2022, thinks that everything is the result of hard work. This is how he managed to obtain a scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Gerónimo Castaño Orozco, a graduate of DSM in 2022, was awarded the scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), recognizing his diligent and consistent efforts, which he sums up in a single word: discipline. Gerónimo is not only an excellent student but has also excelled in sports, representing Antioquia several times playing volleyball and achieving excellent results.
We talked to him about this scholarship, as it not only provides financial resources for studying Artificial Intelligence but also opens the door to an exclusive network of past and current scholarship recipients and contacts in Germany at the university, state, and governmental levels.
DSM: How did you get the scholarship?
Gerónimo: “It's a very special scholarship because the school principal has to nominate you; you can't apply on your own. Mrs. Käding saw potential in me. Then, it all depends on your resume and the motivation letters you write. It was a very challenging process, but I always had Benedikt's support for the letters, to perfect my resume... it was a difficult and long process.”
DSM: What did you discover about yourself during the process?
Gerónimo: “I'm proud of everything I've done, all the effort I've put into my life to do so many things: academics, sports, music... But I think what impacted me the most was, the appreciation of all the teachers who helped me by writing recommendation letters, and everything they said about me made me very proud.”
DSM: And what do those words of support mean, not only from the teachers but also from the Principal?
Gerónimo: “It makes me very happy. I have a lot of affection for the School; I loved the experience of studying here. It's a big responsibility to be seen as a role model. I'm very proud to be that person for the School.”
"Mrs. Käding saw potential in me. Then, it all depends on your resume and the motivation letters you write. It was a very challenging process, but I always had Benedikt's support for the letters, to perfect my resume... it was a difficult and long process.”
DSM: It's been 14 years at the School. How did the education you received influence who you are today?
Gerónimo: “Now that I've finished School, I've realized that I'm a more self-aware and mature person. I learned to work hard and have a lot of discipline, something I also have to thank my dad for. I learned that if you want something in life, you can always achieve it with hard work. I worked with a lot of discipline to achieve what I wanted.”
DSM: What are your expectations for your life in Germany?
Gerónimo: “To do well in university, academically. I also want to continue my lifestyle with sports and music. I want to focus a lot on my career and excel in the field of artificial intelligence by conducting research and making significant contributions to society.”