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Read More1) Hi Mehdia, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi, I’m a space enthusiast, and to be honest, I think that’s my entire personality. I’m a TGS-er and the founder of Afghan Youth Empowerment Camps. I was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, and left my country for the first time in 2021 to attend THINK Global School in Botswana. The idea of freedom of choice in education attracted me to TGS, and after my admission, I didn’t give attending a second thought. Now, who knew this decision would change my whole life and bring me closer to my dream of being an astronaut.
Mehdia and Raya on weXplore in Botswna
The diverse and inclusive community at TGS exposed me to a plethora of cultures, perspectives, and ideas, which have broadened my horizons and enabled me to develop a global mindset. All in all, my experience at TGS has been transformative, and I am grateful for the valuable lessons and lifelong friendships that I have gained.
2) What led you to choose space and astrophysics as the premise for your mastery project? Is it something that you’ve always been interested in?
Before joining TGS, I knew I was interested in space and wanted to be an astronaut. I was obsessed with planets, black holes, and insane space theories, although I had no clear plans for my future. My mastery project helped me understand what in space fascinates me and how I can set goals for myself. During my mastery project, I explored many areas of space exploration and different paths to becoming an astronaut. With the great support of the TGS community and my project mentor, not only did I plan to accomplish my goals, but I also started to fulfill the requirements for my dream career: learning Russian, scuba diving, astronaut training, studying astrophysics and learning backgammon (so I can beat Russians on the International Space Station (ISS)!).
Thanks to TGS, I now have a clear path towards my dream career in space exploration, and I couldn’t be more excited to see where it takes me.”
3) Tell us about your visit to the Kennedy Space Center. How did that experience lend to your project?
Visiting the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) was a pivotal experience in my mastery project and my TGS journey in general. I explored the KSC and attended an astronaut training experience that gave me a unique insight into the field and further motivated me to pursue my dream of becoming an astronaut. During the initial phase of my project, I delved into the diverse types of spaceships and space missions that exist. My visit to the Kennedy Space Center allowed me to put my theoretical knowledge into practice and experience a Mars mission simulation. I also got to witness a retired space shuttle firsthand and engage with experts in the field, who provided me with invaluable advice on achieving my ultimate goal of becoming a NASA astronaut.
4) What have been your mastery project’s most challenging and rewarding parts so far?
The most challenging part of my mastery project was managing different tasks simultaneously: studying astrophysics, learning spaceship engineering, developing content for an Instagram page, and planning my trip to the Kennedy Space Center; however, with the support of my project mentor, I managed to accomplish all of them on time and take the most out of all of them.
The most rewarding part of my mastery is the entire project itself. This is the fun part. I love everything I have learned during the project and everything I fail to understand. One of my favorite things about project-based learning is that you do it by yourself, and whenever you face a problem, you have to figure it out by yourself.
5) What led you to create an Instagram page for your project? What is the purpose of the page?
The primary purpose of my Instagram page is to document my journey of becoming an astronaut and share it with other young people interested in space exploration. My goal is to learn something new about space every day and share it with my followers while also forming a community of like-minded space enthusiasts. Through this community, we can share our experiences and perspectives and support each other in our journeys toward achieving our space-related goals.
6) After completing your mastery project, would you like to continue exploring astrophysics and space? Is it something you could see making a career out of?
101%. My mastery project started a lifelong journey toward achieving my dream of becoming a NASA astronaut. Through this project, I mapped out a clear plan for my future, which includes pursuing a major in aerospace engineering at university and working towards fulfilling the requirements to become an astronaut. I am excited to take the necessary steps toward my goal and am confident that my passion for space exploration will continue to drive me forward.
