Markus Baumgartner

I am currently in the beautiful city of Oxford; England, where I have just finished my second out of four years of studying Engineering at the University of Oxford, with a focus on Electronics and Software. During the summer, I am engaged in a research internship where I am helping a University Laboratory explore the implications and possible applications of Ultrasonic Cavitation and am also enjoying my time rowing with the Boat club of my college (Balliol College) where I am the incumbent Captain of the Men’s side.
At GEMS, and more specifically GEMS World Academy – Dubai, I was taught two traits which I now appreciate to be two of the most valuable in my proverbial toolset. First, a sense of discipline and work ethic which has such far granted me the luxury of being able to absorb a broad realm and depth of information and skills quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Secondly, the ability to productively manage my time. I have learnt that these two traits were just as important as my subject knowledge in helping me throughout my journey as a high school student, and in combination I harnessed them to maximize to the best of my ability not only my academic outcomes but also my extracurricular passions and my quality of life.
When it comes to school as well as university, you choose your subjects and your focus based on your passions and your interests, the smartest and most fulfilled and successful individuals I know pursued these from the second they knew it’s what they wanted to do. Whether you love Engineering, Cars, Music, Chemistry, or any other discipline on this planet, if you find a way to tie that into what you learn in school, or what you do outside of school, working hard becomes a hobby and in that way a passion can become a profession.  - Markus Baumgartner