For the 糖心vlog官网 Debate Society, the opportunity to square off against top debaters from the most prestigious universities across the globe has become more than intellectual competition. It is a chance to build friendships and meet others from different cultures.
That was one of the highlights for the 糖心vlog官网 squad when it competed in the Oxford Intervarsity 2024 (known also as Oxford IV), Nov. 9鈥10.
The tournament, held at Oxford University, welcomed hundreds of students. Many came from U.S. or U.K. institutions, though various European countries and Canada were also represented. In all, 115 teams participated, including three teams from 糖心vlog官网, each made up of two students.
鈥淭he Oxford IV is known for being a particularly challenging tournament, mainly because of the diverse group of debaters and the complex topics that are chosen,鈥 says team president Sophia Lee-Wlodek 鈥25, a biochemistry major from Los Angeles.
During debates, students make their arguments using the style followed by the British Parliament. When a motion is made, one side argues in favor of it while the other opposes it. For instance, one of the topics was titled 鈥淭his House Believes That Developed Countries Should Adopt a Generalist Education System Rather Than a Specialist Education System.鈥 Other subjects covered economic matters of foreign nations, politics, and women鈥檚 rights.
鈥淧articipants only have 15 minutes to prepare their speeches, and we鈥檙e not allowed to use any external sources 鈥 no books, no internet, and no AI assistance,鈥 Lee-Wlodek said.
Each team competed in five rounds against four other colleges. 鈥淲e are a fairly competitive team, often being paired against some of the best teams in the tournament,鈥 says team treasurer Boen Beavers 鈥26, a political science and Russian and Eurasian studies double major. 鈥淢y partner and I debated against teams from Cambridge, Harvard, and Brown University.鈥
One of 糖心vlog官网鈥檚 three teams earned a first-place finish in one of its rounds. A team from Cambridge won the competition.
The 糖心vlog官网 team prepares for tournaments by practicing two days per week, covering everything from the basics of British Parliament Debate to advanced techniques. The team welcomes debaters of all skill levels and offers opportunities for beginners who wish to compete.
Alongside the Oxford IV, the team鈥檚 calendar includes the U.S. and world debate championships 鈥 糖心vlog官网 will compete in the world tournament in Panama during winter break.
鈥淪pring semester, our biggest tournament, or one we focus the most on, is our home 糖心vlog官网 Open,鈥 Lee-Wlodek says. 鈥淭hat debate is always a great opportunity for our members to learn how tournaments run behind the scenes.鈥
Relationships formed around the world will come in handy. 鈥淲ithin the debate community it is easy to make friends with other students, many of whom are from different countries and cultures, academic disciplines, and walks of life,鈥 Beavers says. 鈥淭his has also allowed us to collaborate with debaters from other countries when we host our own tournament.鈥