World University Debating Championship 2018 Experience

World’s Universities Debating Championships (WUDC) is the competition I prepared for all year long; it was the moment I was going to showcase my ability to prove I am one of the best debaters from Indonesia. WUDC is the most prestigious debating competition with teams from all over the world come to try and win the championship. When I went, the competition took place in Mexico 2018 and South Africa in 2019. Being part of the Binus International Pool of English Debaters (BIPEDS) was what gave me this opportunity. Debating taught me so much more than what I expected from my major. I was able to think of my feet and argue with just about anything. I gained communication skills and argumentative skills I would have not gotten anywhere else. And after competing in several national competitions, I felt ready.

I was chosen by the club to represent our university and Indonesia’s name. I held my head up high through each round: 15 minutes to prepare and 8 minutes to deliver my argument. There was nothing like the atmosphere you felt: in my head, I could only describe it as a room full of geniuses. Topics ranging from politics, art, religion, economics, and basically every world matter you could think of were discussed in those chambers. The best part is that I was striving to be one of those geniuses myself. We would debate during the day and party during the night. Let me tell you — those parties they have, so fun. There were games, discussions about Women and LGBT, and music to accompany us dancing. All a break to prepare us for the next day of more rounds of debating. It was exhilarating and relentless, a mix of feelings I experienced every win and loss I got in rounds. I got to learn from debaters coming from the US, Asia, Russia, Africa, and understand perspectives regarding world issues. It was definitely challenging, but it was so worth it. Unfortunately, I was unable to win the coveted title, but my fellow friends from other Indonesian universities made me just as proud when they got up to receive their awards.

This opportunity was like no other, I could explore the way I think and how other people would respond. It sharpened my ability to make a point, and it really helped me further on in my career. Despite the empty hand I came back with, I learned invaluable information about the world. That when it came to sparking up a conversation or acing job interviews, it helped tremendously. I was able to develop critical thinking that my peers otherwise could not. And it all started, by believing in myself and trying out for BIPEDS in my freshmen orientation week. Next year’s competition takes place in South Korea, and if I were able to go again, I would. But it is time to always pass on the opportunity to someone who is striving to be a genius themselves.

by: Shania Tsamara