Beyond the Screen: How Curiosity Led Gazal Kudhail to Computer Science

For Gazal T. Kudhail, Computer Science started with a simple curiosity: How does technology actually work?

Apps. Websites. Artificial intelligence.

Rather than simply using them, Gazal wanted to understand what happens behind the screen.

“I’ve always been curious about how technology works, especially things like apps, websites, and AI.”

An MYP 5 learner at Philippine Cambridge International School, Gazal brought that curiosity into the International Computer Science Competition 2026, where she qualified for the Pre-Final Round.

For her, the competition was an opportunity to challenge herself and learn something new.

When the Clock Becomes Part of the Problem

The biggest challenge was not simply solving the questions. It was managing the time available to solve them.

“The hardest part was managing my time.”

Some questions took longer than expected. Gazal had to be careful not to spend too much time on one problem, learning to move forward when necessary rather than getting stuck.

The experience added another layer to problem-solving: knowing not only how to approach a question, but how to manage the process.

More Than Getting the Answer

The competition also gave Gazal a different perspective on Computer Science.

“The competition showed me that Computer Science is a lot about thinking through problems and finding different ways to solve them.”

For Gazal, the experience was not only about answering questions correctly. It showed her that Computer Science involves looking at problems from different angles and finding possible ways forward.

And that realization brought her back to the curiosity that started it all.

Curiosity Is Only the Beginning

Qualifying for the Pre-Final Round of the International Computer Science Competition 2026 is an achievement. But Gazal's reflection suggests that the result is only one part of the experience.

“It also made me realize there’s still a lot I want to learn.”

That may be the most fitting way to look at her journey so far.

She began by wanting to understand the technology she uses every day. The competition gave her an opportunity to test that curiosity through problem-solving, time pressure, and new challenges.

She came away not with the feeling that she had figured everything out, but with a clearer sense of what she wants to explore next.

For Gazal, the screen is not the end of the question. It is where the questions begin.

PCIS Stories

A human-centered storytelling series by Philippine Cambridge International School, exploring learning, student experiences, culture, and life in an IB World School in Cavite.