2025

Why do you want to be a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird? (300 words)

I was struck by the interesting work on offer at Bird & Bird when interviewing Bird & Bird associate, Ning-Ning Li, for the Legal Cheek careers section. I learnt about her work in intellectual property litigation and the camaraderie she feels with her colleagues at the firm. This combination of challenging work and supportive culture convinced me that Bird & Bird is a firm where I could develop and thrive.

I got a deeper insight into IP litigation at Bird & Bird by chairing the Legal Cheek / Bird & Bird virtual event on the COPA v Wright case. The victory Bird & Bird secured for COPA over Craig Wright freed the cryptocurrency industry from fraudulent authorship claims and intimidation. Learning about this case showed me how central intellectual property law is to the healthy function of industries. I want to get involved in this area of law which safeguards innovation and allows industry luminaries to own their creations.

Bird & Bird’s sector specialisms in tech and retail align with my existing interests and experiences. I got a taste of these industries during two weeks of legal work experience at eBay. The successful result Bird & Bird secured for Lidl in the high-profile ‘Lidl v Tesco’ trade mark and copyright case marks it out as a leading firm in the retail space. 

The firm’s international footprint allows its lawyers to work with innovative businesses, no matter where they are based. By opening an office in Shenzhen last year, Bird & Bird strengthened its relationship with clients moving into this emerging tech hub. The firm’s plans to continue its expansion by opening a Tokyo office this year has shown me that Bird & Bird is an ambitious firm which I could grow alongside. 

Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? (300 words) 

I believe Bird & Bird’s biggest opportunity is the technological, commercial and regulatory developments in the field of AI, which would fall under your Technology & Communications sector. 

In September, Microsoft, Salesforce and Workday announced plans to develop AI agents which can act on behalf of users (current AI assistants only suggest), extending commercial applications of AI tools. As AI tools become workplace staples, more businesses will need support navigating this technology. 

AI startups continue to emerge, with newcomer Sakana AI valued at $1.5bn in September and Microsoft entering into partnership with the then 10-month-old Mistral in February. These startups will need legal guidance through investment and acquisitions. 

In response to this ‘AI boom’, worldwide regulation is evolving at different rates. The EU’s AI Act is now law while California’s governor has blocked the state’s proposed AI safety bill. International law firms like Bird & Bird are well positioned to help their clients navigate this inconsistent ‘patchwork’ of AI laws across jurisdictions. 

Bird & Bird is particularly well-positioned to take advantage of these developments. Ranked in tier one in the Legal 500’s new “Artificial Intelligence” category, the firm has worked on the high-profile cases which have shaped the conversation around AI. For example, defending Stability AI against copyright, database rights and trade mark infringement claims made by Getty Images in relation to their Stability’s AI image generator. This landmark case sparked global conversation about the relationship between intellectual property and generative AI. 

The continued growth of the AI industry is a major opportunity for Bird & Bird, a firm which has become the go-to for ambitious businesses navigating this disruptive technology. The firm’s representative office in San Francisco has given it a foot on the ground in the world’s AI capital, strengthening the firm’s opportunity in this sector.

As a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird it is important to be enthusiastic about a wide variety of learning opportunities. Please describe a situation where you have stepped outside of your comfort zone to try something new. How did you approach this and what did you learn about yourself? (300 words) 

Having always been a reluctant public speaker, I stepped outside my comfort zone this February by joining ‘The Firm Rundown’ podcast team as a presenter. This role involves approaching legal professionals with invitations to appear on the podcast and conducting interviews which are recorded and published on major streaming platforms. 

Although I was nervous to speak to experienced professionals, especially while being recorded, I knew that this would be a proactive way to learn more about the legal industry and life as a solicitor. I approached this step by speaking with my colleagues on the podcast, taking on board their advice and encouragement. I used this to motivate me to record my first episode. I also ensure that I prepare well for each episode in order to ease my nerves. 

I am glad I took this leap. Not only did I learn a huge amount about law from these conversations but I also improved my confidence and my communication skills a great deal. I learnt about how to connect with people, build rapport and ask intelligent questions. Having always avoided any form of public speaking, I learnt that I am capable of more than I give myself credit for if I practise. 

My new confidence in public speaking has given me valuable opportunities such as my current role at Legal Cheek for which I have chaired virtual and in-person events watched live by hundreds of students. Had I not stepped out of my comfort zone, I would not have had the experience to perform this role so effectively and confidently.

2025

Why do you want to be a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird? (300 words)

I am applying to Bird & Bird as I am drawn to the firm’s expertise in the Media, Entertainment and Sport sector. The firm engages in a lot of high-profile disputes-focused work in this sector – I was particularly drawn to the firm’s role acting as legal advisor to MTV Oy in a copyright dispute which involved a multi-disciplinary team across Dispute Resolution and Competition Law services. With my keen interest in this sector spurred on by my experience working on podcasting contracts at media conglomerates Universal Music Group and W!ZARD Radio Media, I am keen to learn more about advising on such large-scale matters in a rapidly evolving sector at Bird & Bird.

Bird & Bird also stands out to me due to the firm’s commitment to innovation. Understanding that ‘technology allows us to think bigger when applied correctly’; the firm is astutely aware that knowledge of an increasingly technologically-driven world is crucial for the modern commercial law firm. This is best demonstrated by the firm’s LegalTech and Digital Solutions offerings - I am eager to train a firm like Bird & Bird that values and excels in using digital innovation in order to maintain excellence for clients in an increasingly digitalised era.

Extending beyond the firm’s expertise in the technology and media sectors, I am keen to train at Bird & Bird as I believe the firm’s varied core strengths, ranging from life sciences and healthcare to retail and consumer services, align with my diverse legal interests. Having learnt about a variety of work through my experience working in the International Arbitration and Employment teams at Winston & Strawn and Burges Salmon respectively, I am eager to train at a full-service firm where I am exposed to a wide variety of work.

Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? (300 words)

In this new era of pervasive legal technology and innovation, it remains crucial that law firms such as Bird & Bird shape their offering to reflect the opportunities, as well as the challenges, that legal tech brings. I believe that helping clients navigate the increasingly challenging landscape of cybersecurity will be the biggest opportunity for the firm’s work in the Technology & Communications sector.

On my podcast The Firm Rundown, we interviewed Emanuele Santella, an associate in the Cyber & Tech Insurance team at RPC, to discuss how new legislative acts and growing cyber threats are affecting this sector. Santella emphasised how being able to support clients on legal matters in this arena is extremely crucial and that, looking to the future, this will only become more relevant. Not only is it important to protect a law firm from cyber security threats, but also to protect and support the firm’s clients when their data is compromised. If firms don’t take reasonable steps to protect themselves and their clients from harm, they could even face regulatory action and professional indemnity insurers reserving their positions on cyber-related claims. With a current trend of increasing regulation in this space, with EU legislators having finalised their work on three major cybersecurity acts, I believe there will be a significant increase in regulatory cybercrime related work over the next few financial years.

Bird & Bird’s multi-disciplinary cybersecurity team is well-equipped to support clients on the challenges and opportunities presented by all angles of cybersecurity. With cyber services such as an NIS2 tool to monitor regulatory compliance and a 24/7 cyber emergency hotline, the firm can support clients at their most vulnerable, as well as helping to mitigate and minimise any further risk as to not harm the client’s own business and reputation in the market.

As a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird it is important to be enthusiastic about a wide variety of learning opportunities. Please describe a situation where you have stepped outside of your comfort zone to try something new. How did you approach this and what did you learn about yourself? (300 words)

When I was at school, I decided to step out of my comfort zone to try something new and join my school’s Model United Nations (MUN) club. Joining this club meant I would have to attend conferences and debate with students across the country – something that initially seemed very daunting, especially since it required strong communication and negotiation skills.

At these conferences, I represented my school as a delegate from a particular country and would spend anywhere from a day to a week working in a particular committee to draft and debate resolutions. While these conferences were overwhelming at first, I soon found myself immersed in the complexities of negotiating the language and content of resolutions and gradually began to introduce my own amendments as my confidence grew. This experience helped to hone my attention to precision and detail, making sure that each resolution was executed to a high standard with no grammatical errors or inconsistencies. I believe that working on these resolutions helped to develop my strong attention to detail and real interest in the nuances of language, as further illustrated by my role on the editorial team of my university’s student newspaper.

In all, I believe that my experience in Model United Nations greatly improved my problem-solving and public-speaking skills. Often having to deal with crisis issues at a short notice, I learnt how to find immediate solutions to problems that I had very little prior knowledge about and how to articulate my thoughts clearly when presenting my resolutions to other students at the General Assembly. Indeed, I learnt that I excelled in these high-pressure environments - I was awarded Best Delegate at the last conference I attended, the City of London MUN conference in March 2018.

2024

What attracts you to a Trainee Solicitor role at Bird & Bird? What is motivating you to pursue a career at Bird & Bird? (300 words) 

My interest in a career at Bird & Bird was piqued by the firm’s stellar reputation in the technology and communications sector. When attending the Power of AI in Law with Bird & Bird webinar, Heather Catchpole detailed that the most fascinating part of working in this sector is often the novelty of the technology and the law surrounding it. This is evident in the firm’s representation of BTC Core against Craig Wright, the self-proclaimed creator of Bitcoin, where the nature of Bitcoin’s copyright is being disputed. As I am currently writing my dissertation on the impact of AI on democracy and have studied data science at university, I would enjoy applying my interest in the technology sector to practical matters such as these. A career at Bird & Bird thus allows exposure to cases that are truly precedent-setting, providing an invaluable chance to actively contribute to shaping the evolving landscape of technology and law.

However, Bird & Bird's appeal extends beyond its expertise in the technology sector. Trainee Sonny Slinger reinforced this point at a networking event: there is ample opportunity to gain work in interesting, specific areas while also gaining a wide-ranging training experience. As a non-law student, it is particularly important to me to experience a variety of branches of law in different industrial sectors. Furthermore, training at Bird & Bird involves a keenly commercial focus, as exemplified by the Learning & Development Programme offered to trainees. Having work experience at [asset management firm] and studying Economics at university, the business-oriented nature of commercial law is a significant draw for me, so the opportunity to develop my skills in this field is an enticing prospect. The variety on offer during Bird & Bird’s training contract is thus a key motivation for applying. 

Life as a Trainee Solicitor at Bird & Bird is busy and varied and you will be expected to manage your own workload. Please describe a project, piece of work or event where it was important for you to be organised with multiple tasks and deadlines – what specifically did you do to manage this? (300 words)

While working at [small local law firm] as a paralegal, my day-to-day workload consisted of doing odd jobs for the solicitors, like drafting and research tasks, while also completing more administrative duties. However, I asked whether I could be given the responsibility of managing the entirety of a client’s probate proceedings alongside my normal duties at the time. This involved processing the probate application and inheritance tax return before recalling the assets and distributing them to the executors, all while coordinating with the beneficiaries of the will and keeping my supervisors in the loop. By taking on this extra task, I had to balance a sizeable project while being reactive to urgent requests from the solicitors, requiring me to manage my time effectively. 

The strategy I implemented consisted of flexibly allocating time to my project to complete the urgent requests of the solicitors. If I felt overburdened to the extent that I was neglecting the project, I would speak to them to see if there was any flexibility in when the work was due. This allowed me to manage my time effectively between my normal duties and the project I had undertaken. 

For the project itself, I segmented it into its different parts and completed them in a logical order. Upon completion of each part, I would inform the relevant parties and ensure that my supervisor looked over my work before updating my to-do list. Despite the large volume of work, I made sure that I did not overcommit by clearly separating my work life from my home life, as well as taking ample time to exercise and recuperate in the evenings. As a result, I completed the probate proceedings independently and to a high standard, while also maintaining my usual standard of work in my day-to-day duties. 

As a Trainee Solicitor at Bird & Bird it is important to be enthusiastic about a wide variety of learning opportunities. Please describe a situation where you have stepped outside of your comfort zone to try something new. How did you approach this and what did you learn about yourself? As we are interested in learning about your non-academic experiences, try to use an example from your extra-curricular activities (music, sport etc.) or your work/voluntary experience. (300 words)  

I recently stepped outside of my comfort zone to run a half-marathon. The furthest I had run before this was 5 kilometres, so I knew I was undertaking a real challenge when signing up, especially as I only gave myself two months to train for it! 

Given the short amount of time I had to train, I made sure that I ran regularly. Inevitably, England’s wonderful weather during October and November ensured that I rarely voyaged out without experiencing torrential rain, which, despite soaking me to the bone on many occasions, certainly provided me with the motivation to run home faster! As running can often be a solitary exercise, I made sure that I completed these runs with other people too; having played rugby throughout my time at school, the team element of sport is a particularly important aspect to me, so I joined the [university] Running Society. 

Before I knew it, the day of the half-marathon had arrived. With adrenaline pumping, I started out at a fast pace, completing the first 10km in my personal best time. But, as the race progressed, I began to feel worse: I hadn’t paced myself properly, and I was feeling the consequences. Exhausted, I managed to eke out the last few kilometres before staggering over the line in 1 hour, 39 minutes. 

Through this experience, I learned that I am motivated by camaraderie and working towards a collective goal. I also discovered that I am more resilient than I thought. As I faced the difficulties of unpredictable weather and physical exhaustion during my runs, I learned to adapt and push through discomfort. Indeed, although I was disappointed at my error in pacing, I was proud to have persevered and successfully finished the race – something that I would have struggled to accomplish before training.

2023

What attracts you to a Trainee Solicitor role at Bird & Bird? What is motivating you to pursue a career at Bird & Bird? (max. 200 words)

I still remember the day my client’s innovative medicine received health insurance coverage in [country]. The decision allowed hundreds of desperate parents to treat their children’s rare epilepsy. Moments like this, where the impact of technological developments is tangible, make it so rewarding to work in the life sciences and technology sectors. That is what draws me to Bird & Bird: its sector-focused approach aligns with my professional and academic interests. 

Besides advising multinational tech and pharmaceutical companies, I have explored key issues in IT Law and Media Law through further study. I desire to put this experience into practice at Bird & Bird, advising on disruptive developments that have a real impact on people’s lives. Beyond Bird & Bird’s sectoral strengths, I am drawn to the excellent reputation of its Intellectual Property (IP) practice. The 10-week US IP Law course I took over the summer, the recent IP workshop I attended, and Bird & Bird’s virtual internship have all confirmed that the combination of technical expertise and analysis and problem-solving skills is what I wish to pursue. I am excited to leverage my international experiences and technical expertise to be at the forefront of change at Bird & Bird.

Life as a Trainee Solicitor at Bird & Bird is busy and varied and you will be expected to manage your own workload. Please describe a project, piece of work or event where it was important for you to be organised with multiple tasks and deadlines – what specifically did you do to manage this? (max. 250 words):

It was 5am. Bleary-eyed and yawning, I swung myself out of bed to tackle another day. It was only days before I was due to submit a 70-page report on offshore wind power regulations to my most demanding client, and my final essay for my part time degree was due. Having balanced a combination of full time work or study with further work or study for the past seven years, it has at times been challenging. But the time management strategies I developed thanks to constant competing priorities prepared me for this challenge.

My strategy consists of three pillars: planning, segmenting, and leisure. First - planning both in the long term and the short term ensures that I am never blindsided by a deadline. I dedicate time to work on certain projects in advance, block out time to get ahead in my Notion planner, and plan my priorities each day using Todoist. Segmenting my days allows me to keep a clear mind and focus on my most immediate priority. During this period, I woke up early every day to dedicate time to studying before work, and used the evenings to ensure I was able to finish the report on time. And perhaps most importantly, I ensured that I found the time for exercise. This allowed me to remain calm, giving me the energy to persist. As a result, I exceeded my client's expectations, and received a first-class mark on my essay.

As a Trainee Solicitor at Bird & Bird it is important to be enthusiastic about a wide variety of learning opportunities. Please describe a situation where you have stepped outside of your comfort zone to try something new. How did you approach this and what did you learn about yourself? (max. 200 words)

I have come to discover a passion for exercise and dance in my 20s. For many years, I believed I was “not athletic”, and hesitated to try new things. However, my coincidental attendance at a pole sport class opened up a whole new world to me. While it was a challenge, I persisted, and have been building up a repertoire of athletic tricks over the past three years. I have since come to love movement, exploring yoga, pilates, salsa, bachata, and ballet.

The bruises from pole sport, the blisters from hours of salsa, the shouts of “Wrong! Try again!” - there were many times when I considered giving up. But when I am hanging upside down wondering which way is up, or dizzy from being spun around again and again, or grinning from ear to ear when I receive an elusive compliment from my ballet teacher, I know the effort is worth it. Besides gaining many new hobbies, I have learnt not to limit myself based on unfounded self-beliefs. Now, I approach new challenges with an open mind, and most importantly, persist until I succeed. 

2022

Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? 

Prioritising security studies within a wider International Relations degree I recognise that the greatest opportunity for the Defence & Security sector at Bird & Bird is technocentric innovation. With a vision to be the number one firm in the world for organisations being changed by technology and the digital world, Bird & Bird is ideally placed to offer advice on technocentric solutions to the threat of climate change. 

Writing a first-class essay on the conceptualization of climate change as a security threat, I maintain that security and defence providers will be affected by the rise in environmental degradation. Easing the impact of climate change can be achieved through technological innovation. Promoting and protecting innovation with expertise in new technologies such as AI, advanced analytics and cloud computing, the Defence & Security sector at Bird & Bird is equipped to pioneer the use of technocentric approaches, offering competitive client advice. 

In your view, what will be the greatest innovation to influence the firm in the next 5 years and why? (150)

The current advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the legal industry. AI aids lawyers to manage laborious tasks quickly and efficiently, such as performing due diligence and research. This enables lawyers to dedicate more time to their practice and clients. Embracing legal technology and transitioning into a hybrid legal tech culture, Bird & Bird will advance their client service and reaffirm their position as leader in technological innovation.

AI, however, will largely influence the position of paralegals and legal researchers at Bird & Bird; jobs made less valuable by AI capabilities. While AI advances, prediction technology, forecasting litigation outcomes, becomes increasingly reliable. Thus, further positions are threatened. For example, as David Egan (Bird & Bird) discovered, AI is being considered as a decision-making tool, risking access to justice; whereby in a two-tiered system lower-value claims are allocated to an AI-judged track with human judges limited to higher value claims.

Lawyers at Bird & Bird are all individual and come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. One thing that they all have in common is a determination to achieve their goals by working hard and having a positive 'can-do' attitude. Please tell us about the key event or experience that has influenced you to develop yourself as an individual. As we are interested in learning about your non-academic experiences, try to use an example from your extra-curricular activities (music, sport etc) or your work/voluntary experience. (150)

• What was the key event/experience and how did it come about?
• What obstacles did you have to overcome?
• What was the key learning for you?

Qualifying for the Pony Club National Championships alongside my GCSEs was a particularly challenging experience. Although I had always prioritised my academic studies, I wanted to succeed at nationals as well. I drew up a time management plan and met with my teachers and coaches every week to assess my performance. Doing so, I was able to tackle my problem areas by dedicating more time to them. This structure allowed me to evaluate my progress and ensured that I could succeed in both.

Due to my determination and diligence, I achieved exceptional academic grades and gained a top 10 national riding placing. This experience taught me the importance of prioritisation and proved my drive to achieve excellence. The responsibility that I have demonstrated from this achievement proves my suitability to Bird & Bird, where I am guaranteed to work diligently to succeed for the firm and my clients.

2021

Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?  (150 words) 

There is a large opportunity in Aerospace/Technology. 

Currently Bird & Bird have specialised in the satellite aspect of Space Law - I note the firm's association and work with OneWeb (and its plan to establish a LEO satellite network) and Speedcast (and its supply agreement with NBN). 

I see an opportunity for the firm to expand into less tapped areas of Space Law, which are lucrative and emerging: private spaceflight, and space tourism. The richest individuals are investing billions of dollars into developing these products (such as Bezos' 'Blue Origin', Musk's 'SpaceX', and Branson's 'Virgin Galactic'). 

International legislation regarding space is still largely incomplete, least of all regarding privatised spaceflight. Bird & Bird, with a footing in the Space Law market, can pioneer precedents in space law and space-related deals. Furthermore, the firm should look to capitalise off these new, wealthy entrants into the market, who will certainly need legal counsel.

In your view, what will be the greatest innovation to influence the firm in the next 5 years and why? (150 words)

The greatest innovation to influence the firm will be computer-automated document analysis. 

The technology already exists, but it has yet to be implemented or utilised to its fullest extent. Programs such as 'Luminance' have been funded by legal firms (in this instance, Slaughter & May) and are rapidly replacing the way in which legal firms conduct themselves.

The behaviour of the firm will have to change in light of this technology. Although lawyers will not be replaced - machine learning means that details will be scrutinised and picked apart more than ever. Bird & Bird will have to ensure that they employ this technology to draft water-tight documents/agreements. 

The litigation/arbitration sector will benefit greatly from this kind of technology, and I would expect to see firms such as Bird & Bird expanding more into those practice areas. The technology will allow solicitors to claim and counter-claim to higher degrees of precision.

Lawyers at Bird & Bird are all individual and come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. One thing that they all have in common is a determination to achieve their goals by working hard and having a positive 'can-do' attitude. Please tell us about the key event or experience that has influenced you to develop yourself as an individual. As we are interested in learning about your non-academic experiences, try to use an example from your extra-curricular activities (music, sport etc) or your work/voluntary experience. 

●      What was the key event/experience and how did it come about?

●      What obstacles did you have to overcome?

●      What was the key learning for you? 

Context:

I showcased my determination within Durham Philosophy Society. As the External Relations Executive, I was responsible for securing sponsorship funds. An important deadline to submit a document to a crucial client, Clifford Chance, threatened to be missed. I was notified only 36 hours pre-deadline, by the document production team, that the material was not ready. 

Obstacles:

My team refused to assist any further, so I was limited on support and time. I did not have the digital design skills to create the document, and so I invested my own funds into procuring programs to assist on the task. 

Lessons:

I learnt to always have a contingency plan in place. Though I buckled down and delivered the task through sheer brute work - a 'Plan B' should the worst happen, is always useful. 

Further I learnt the value and importance of sacrificing your own time and effort for the greater good.

2021

Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? (150 words)

I believe the biggest opportunity for Bird & Bird lies in the Energy & Utilities sector by capitalising on the development of the electrified road, consequent to the advancement of the Electric Vehicle. Sweden launched the pilot project, eRoadAtlanda, in 2018 near Stockholm, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030. The electric vehicles are charged by projecting an “arm” that connects to the charging location while driving. If the vehicle overtakes or stops, the charging arm disconnects, and the system will calculate the consumption of energy before debiting the costs to the users.

Calls for clean energy has seen growth in the sector in recent years. With 30 overseas offices including Stockholm, Bird & Bird can get first-hand information and utilise its core strength in technology to advise and assist stakeholders regarding aspects such as socioeconomic, planning considerations and implementation of the project in other countries. 

In your view, what will be the greatest innovation to influence the firm in the next 5 years and why?(150 words)

Remote working has become a current trend, making online communication platforms the greatest innovation to influence the firm. With meeting clients abroad no longer a viable option, teleconferencing technology has saved the firm from expenses incurred by travelling and cut short lawyers’ commuting time. This change of clients’ behaviour also highlights that the firm needs to find better platforms to facilitate seamless communication while securing confidentiality of the meeting. In terms of documents, the firm needs to move towards paperless, explore e-signature tools and advise clients on ways to execute documents.

Some lawyers think working remotely promotes a better work-life balance while others may experience difficulties in handling childcare while working. As a result, lawyers without children may need to share the workload of their colleagues to support them through this difficult time. The firm and trainees may also need to explore ways to replace or replicate “osmosis” learning opportunities. 

Lawyers at Bird & Bird are all individual and come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. One thing that they all have in common is a determination to achieve their goals by working hard and having a positive 'can-do' attitude. Please tell us about the key event or experience that has influenced you to develop yourself as an individual. As we are interested in learning about your non-academic experiences, try to use an example from your extra-curricular activities (music, sport etc) or your work/voluntary experience.

●      What was the key event/experience and how did it come about?

●      What obstacles did you have to overcome?

●      What was the key learning for you? 

As a child, I nearly drowned in a dangerous waterfall. As a result, I have a fear of water, but I was determined to conquer my phobia and decided to do a PADI Open Water Diver course this summer. The course emphasised replicating emergency circumstances such as oxygen depletion under the sea. Haunted by my traumatic memories, I stopped my instructor from closing the oxygen tank and ascended to the surface immediately after I failed to calm myself down.

Despite this setback, I convinced myself to try again and made myself focus on the underwater scenery. Eventually, I overcame my fear and passed the training course. I learned from this experience that I should have a positive mindset and persist when facing any obstacles to achieve my goal. I also learned to cherish individual improvements and realised that emotions, if managed wisely, can motivate me to develop.