First impression

Early in the morning…
I prepared my paperwork and packed my bag several times. This formal interview has been a dream for months, and all I know is that it’s in a chic place where most of the people applying have a different style.

I wore a loose dress from Oswa and a simple headscarf. I felt confident and scared at the same time.
As I entered the interview venue, I felt the secretary’s gaze from top to bottom…
A faint smile and a quick question:
— “What are you applying for?”

I replied firmly:
— “A postgraduate scholarship.”

I waited my turn, and all the girls around me were wearing elegant formal clothes, but shorter or tighter.
One of them said to me kindly:
— “Your style is different… Aren’t you afraid of the negative impression you’ll get?”

I smiled despite my anxiety:
— “The important thing is to be myself… Each one has her own way of standing out.”

The committee entered…
Four people, paper files, examining eyes.
One of them asked me:
— “Do you think this outfit is appropriate? Is my work in our field relevant? Could it bother you during travel or interviews?”

I answered with confidence, trying to muster the necessary confidence:
— “I choose what makes me comfortable… and if the field requires a certain appearance, what matters is competence over appearance.
And Islamic dress doesn’t prevent me from working or being creative.”

Finally…
One of the panelists smiled at me and said:
— “I like that you’re not afraid of your identity. That’s strength in itself.”

As I left the room, I felt that every step in the face of this fear was a small victory.

The results may still be there,
but perseverance was the biggest gain.

Have you ever been in an interview or exam and worried about the impact of your clothing or hijab?

Have you ever felt nervous or experienced a moment of weakness?

Tell us your story or even some advice for a girl taking a similar exam…
Maybe your sentence will encourage her to break the barrier of fear and truly prove herself!