person A: I've felt excited when I found out I had won a place on a prestigious creative writing course_comma_ taught by someone who I knew could help me in ways that I would I not be able to through self-study alone.
person B: You are so lucky to be talented enough to achieve such an honor. Was it as wonderful as you had imagined it would be?
person A: Thank you for the kind words. You know what? It was_comma_ but not for the reasons I imagined! It turned out that everyone in the class developed a really close bond and while the advice from the teacher was wonderful_comma_ it was the lifelong friendships and mutual edits that the students do for each other that has proved equally special! 
person B: Sounds like it was a once in a lifetime experience.
person A: I think it was :)