2011 North East Asian Open - 2011 全東北亞英語辯論賽
When I first came to Wenzao and found out that Wenzao has an English Debate club, I was really interested to join. Actually I had this interest in English debate since high school. But too bad that at that time, I didn’t know anything about the English Debate society in Indonesia, and I only found and learn more about English Debate after I arrived in Wenzao.
Time went by, and I finally the Taiwan Wenzao English Debate Society, and I eventually got chosen as one of Wenzao’s representatives to participate in the most prestigious English debate championship in Asia, the United Asian Debate
Championship (UADC) in Macao. At first thought, the idea of me as a foreign student going to yet another country to represent Wenzao is really cool. I can represent my school, learn about debate, meet new people, and do travel at the same time. I was selected by Dr. Toh the adviser of TWEDS along with the other 3 team members. We had some difficulties in the beginning regarding our practice time, which was a trouble because everybody was busy with their classes, other activities, so and so forth.
But eventually, we managed to hold on and we leave for Macao on May 16th. Macao is a quite unique place. Firstly, I thought that Macao won’t be so different than Taiwan since the geographical location is not really far away, apparently I was wrong. Starting from language, although most of the people there can speak Chinese, but still, most of them are not as fluent as Taiwanese or Chinese people, since they use Cantonese in daily life.
The first day, the only program was checking in at the hotel and free time. After checking in, we set off to explore Macao. However, we decided to visit Hongkong. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it. Why? Apparently for Taiwanese people, they have to possess a certain document other than passport to enter Hongkong. Although I was allowed to enter since I have an Indonesian passport, my other 3 friends are restricted and had to be sent back to Macao. I was quite disappointed at that time, because I had spent certain amount of money for the Ferry ride. So, we went to explore Macao instead, and went to some interesting tourism spot.
The next day, We visited the tournament venue for the first time. University of Macao is not quite big, but it sure has the proper facilities and environment to support students in studying and other extracurricular activities.
Our first activity for today is a general introduction about the tournament, the University of Macao, and Macao itself. We also saw the mock debate round. Mock debate is a debate round that will be used as a scoring standard for all the adjudicators. That was my first time seeing an international class English debate delivered by several best speakers from around Asia, which was really amazed me. I had some difficulties in catching up their speech, it was all because the amazing fluency, coherent thinking, and delivery manners that in my opinion was outstanding, and made me feel inferior. Yet I realize, to achieve that level is not an easy path. I believe that they had trained over and over again in every way possible to achieve it.
We also continued the program with a council meeting. I think that this kind of system is really good and democratic in many aspects. In the meeting, I saw different people from different university and countries sit together, and discussed about some points which need a collaborative ratification. I tremendously admired the system, because in every decision that committee needs to ratify, everybody will be asked for their vote and opinion (representing their university/institution). Also, each of us has the rights to bring a new motion or proposal to be discussed and ratified by the council. It directly teaches us diplomacy from a very early age.
Time went by, and I finally the Taiwan Wenzao English Debate Society, and I eventually got chosen as one of Wenzao’s representatives to participate in the most prestigious English debate championship in Asia, the United Asian Debate
Championship (UADC) in Macao. At first thought, the idea of me as a foreign student going to yet another country to represent Wenzao is really cool. I can represent my school, learn about debate, meet new people, and do travel at the same time. I was selected by Dr. Toh the adviser of TWEDS along with the other 3 team members. We had some difficulties in the beginning regarding our practice time, which was a trouble because everybody was busy with their classes, other activities, so and so forth.
But eventually, we managed to hold on and we leave for Macao on May 16th. Macao is a quite unique place. Firstly, I thought that Macao won’t be so different than Taiwan since the geographical location is not really far away, apparently I was wrong. Starting from language, although most of the people there can speak Chinese, but still, most of them are not as fluent as Taiwanese or Chinese people, since they use Cantonese in daily life.
The first day, the only program was checking in at the hotel and free time. After checking in, we set off to explore Macao. However, we decided to visit Hongkong. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it. Why? Apparently for Taiwanese people, they have to possess a certain document other than passport to enter Hongkong. Although I was allowed to enter since I have an Indonesian passport, my other 3 friends are restricted and had to be sent back to Macao. I was quite disappointed at that time, because I had spent certain amount of money for the Ferry ride. So, we went to explore Macao instead, and went to some interesting tourism spot.
The next day, We visited the tournament venue for the first time. University of Macao is not quite big, but it sure has the proper facilities and environment to support students in studying and other extracurricular activities.
Our first activity for today is a general introduction about the tournament, the University of Macao, and Macao itself. We also saw the mock debate round. Mock debate is a debate round that will be used as a scoring standard for all the adjudicators. That was my first time seeing an international class English debate delivered by several best speakers from around Asia, which was really amazed me. I had some difficulties in catching up their speech, it was all because the amazing fluency, coherent thinking, and delivery manners that in my opinion was outstanding, and made me feel inferior. Yet I realize, to achieve that level is not an easy path. I believe that they had trained over and over again in every way possible to achieve it.
We also continued the program with a council meeting. I think that this kind of system is really good and democratic in many aspects. In the meeting, I saw different people from different university and countries sit together, and discussed about some points which need a collaborative ratification. I tremendously admired the system, because in every decision that committee needs to ratify, everybody will be asked for their vote and opinion (representing their university/institution). Also, each of us has the rights to bring a new motion or proposal to be discussed and ratified by the council. It directly teaches us diplomacy from a very early age.
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