Intern Intel: An xAlliance Journey (Part I)
Join our new intern on her foray into MultiversX.
Chapter 0: How a Single Tap Led Me to xAlliance and the World of MultiversX
Happy New Year, Friends!
Let me start by saying that I am someone who loves New Year’s resolutions. I feel there's always something about the start of a new year that sparks a fresh sense of purpose—a new beginning. I made my new year’s resolutions just before Christmas. One of my new year’s resolutions was to explore how the ‘new Internet’—also known as Web3—can solve real-world problems.
You might wonder: What ignited this passion in the first place? Why did I choose Web3? Let me not get ahead of myself. My journey began with a single tap. Yes, you read that right. A tap that changed my life and opened the doors to the world of blockchain technology—and MultiversX.
A Doctor’s Visit
It all started on one of those lazy afternoons when boredom hits like a ton of bricks. You know the kind: scrolling aimlessly on your phone, jumping between social apps, and wondering why everyone else seems to have something interesting going on. A notification flashed at the top of my screen. It was my friend Kenneth sending a simple note, not too flashy, that read, “DoctorX—The most charismatic, meme-worthy coin on MultiversX.”
I had very little clue what most of that meant… but DoctorX? The name instantly piqued my curiosity. My mind started racing: Could this be something connected to health and technology? With a degree in Biochemistry and experience in public health, I found it intriguing. My imagination took over as I downloaded the app. I was picturing a platform where every glass of water or every step I took would turn into points or rewards.
The app introduced itself with a sleek, blue interface—but it wasn't quite what I had imagined. No gamified wellness, no rewards for healthy habits. I was a bit disappointed, but I couldn't blame the app. It was my imagination that had run too wild. Still, something about that moment stuck with me.
UnFamiliar Faces 👀
The KYC process was less straightforward—Know Your Customer, they said. Honestly, it felt more like a Know Your Patience test. I had to take a selfie while looking straight at the camera, like I was sitting for a passport photo shoot.
I wondered why the KYC process was even necessary, but Kenneth quickly reassured me. “It’s a mandatory step, Irene,” he explained. “They need real users to prevent bots or fraud. Trust me, it’s legit!”
Not only did I take selfies, but I was also required to paste my digital wallet address to receive my token. A digital wallet? What in the world was that? I figured I might as well give it a shot; I hadn't come this far just to give up. I downloaded the xPortal app. First, I had to set up my passcode and store my seed phrase. This part was easy. I was advised to write it down and keep it safe to avoid losing my tokens. Then I was taken to a fresh page that displayed I had successfully completed all the verification processes. I smiled; another milestone checked! I had just set up my first digital wallet and completed my KYC verification. Yeah! Maybe Web3 wasn't just a place for a bunch of tech experts.
Beyond Buzzwords!
But this joy was short-lived. Visiting the DoctorX account felt like drowning in a sea of jargon. Words like “blockchain,” “NFT,” and “DeFi” were floating around, and I couldn't help but wonder, “What do they all mean?”
Inviting friends, performing tasks, and setting up a digital wallet seemed fun—but no one warned me I'd be diving into a world of terminology and abbreviations that could make rocket scientists scratch their heads. This time, I was sure I had walked into an advanced physics class without a textbook!
I closed my screen and took a deep breath. How could anyone make sense of all this? I wasn’t here for rocket science; I was only driven by a sense of curiosity! I still wanted to understand what was behind the DoctorX cartoon image, with its white collar.
Was there truly a connection between this digital world and health, or was it just clever marketing? Maybe it was a hint to something bigger—a vision of how technology could reshape the health sector.
I started taking interest in learning what those buzzwords actually meant. Blockchain, MultiversX—they started to feel less like rocket science and more like pieces of a puzzle I was eager to solve.
And indeed: As I learned about blockchain and the MultiversX ecosystem, I started to realize Web3 wasn't just about apps or tokens; it was about reshaping everything—from finance to health, using blockchain technology.
Just Click It!
The ideas bouncing around my head were both exciting and overwhelming— could blockchain secure patient data? Could it track vaccine supply chains? The possibilities seemed endless, but I had no idea where to begin. Then, there it was: a tweet about the xAlliance Internship Program. It was described in a way that felt approachable and purposeful. It wasn’t just about learning blockchain—it was about connecting with people, contributing to the ecosystem, and making a real difference through one's work. As someone who has always been passionate about solving community challenges, this resonated deeply with me.
I’ll never forget the days I spent volunteering with an NGO, moving from one rural community to the next, trying to educate caregivers on the importance of vaccinating their children. I’d sit with them, share stories about how vaccines had saved countless lives, break down the science in simple terms, and listen to their worries without judgment. Slowly, the questions started to flow—tentative at first, then more urgent. One mother told me about losing her first child to an illness she didn’t even know could be prevented. Her voice cracked, and I could see it—the shift.
It wasn’t about the words we spoke or the pamphlets we handed out; it was about connecting, about planting a seed of trust. By the time we left, many of the parents were determined to take action, not just for their children but for their entire community. It was then that I realized the power of community involvement. No matter how small or large the community might be, the change that we seek starts with people, not the boardrooms or grand speeches. It starts here—with empowerment, with listening, with people.
When I stumbled on the xAlliance internship program, it wasn’t part of any grand plan, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how it connected to my passion. But there was something there that made me curious. I stared at the 'apply' button, hesitating just long enough to wonder: Should I? But before I could overthink it… I clicked 'apply.’
To be continued.