SCHOLAR'S STORY #3 — Katrina Lee
04/03/20
Scholar Profile:
Name: Katrina Lee
Age: 17
School: Shanghai United International School Gubei
Country of Origin: Taiwanese-Canadian living in China
Division: Senior
Social Media: @katabeille (IG, Twitter, and Pinterest)
Name: Katrina Lee
Age: 17
School: Shanghai United International School Gubei
Country of Origin: Taiwanese-Canadian living in China
Division: Senior
Social Media: @katabeille (IG, Twitter, and Pinterest)
A Rollercoaster of a Journey
99 more to go
For me, there was no eureka moment when I decided to commit myself to an event called World Scholar’s cup. I’ve participated in this competition since 2016, attending global rounds held in Bangkok, Thailand, Hanoi, Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Beijing, China and three Tournament of Champions held at Yale University.
My name is Katrina Lee and this is my WSC story.
First, a little bit about me:
-I'm 17.
-I'm Taiwanese but my Dad grew up in Canada so I "inherited" a Canadian nationality.
-I grew up being more confident with English than Mandarin.
-I go to Shanghai United International School Gubei in Shanghai, China.
-I'm an avid film and literature lover:)
-I'm a non-stereotype abiding Asian, but I want to be a doctor.
Most people believe academic competitions exist purely to challenge our academic capabilities, but that is far from the truth. If that is to be believed, then the context of our experience matters little when compared to the content. World Scholar’s Cup has always guaranteed amazing experiences and memories for me, and to this day I will admit that no competition, however, dedicated and prestigious, can instil a desire for betterment more than World Scholar’s Cup. Unlike other students I grew up with, I saw the importance of speaking openly, I was never one to sit in the corner quietly when something should be said. I also know for a fact almost everyone I've met in WSC possessed the same qualities, WSC helped shape that passion for all of us. We had the opportunity to debate about topics we would rarely discuss at this age (controversial decisions that could change the world one day). A few of the most interesting motions I've ever debated are: A huge genocide would be beneficial to the world. International jurisdiction leads to global harmony. The United States makes other states less likely to fail. We should develop a vaccine for ageing. A government ran by androids would be less likely to fail. People should take moral responsibility to expose conspiracies. Governments should make societies more harmonious by hiding facts from the public. It would be better to live in a world without generalization. We should use less technology in the arts.
On a more intimate note, here's an insight into the side of World Scholar's Cup nobody talks about: Romance. Spoiler, it doesn’t end well. I met my first boyfriend in Hanoi, Vietnam. Trust me when I say, those relationships don't last long, unless you think met your soulmate then GO FOR IT! However, I, on the other hand, found more value in the friends I made along the way. To this day I'm still in touch with scholars I met years ago in my Scavenge team.
By far, I must admit, the most memorable experience of my life was the Beijing Globals of 2019. That is only because my hard work from the past four years had finally paid off, but I, like everyone else, started as an average scholar constantly in the shadows of my more successful peers. Bangkok, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur seem like a blur to me now, I was just a scholar trying to keep up...but in the end, all those adversities taught me everything I needed to know. I learned about my resilience and the value of friendship and teamwork. One of the most rewarding experience was when my teammate and I failed to find a third teammate for TOC, on a tight schedule, we had to submit our names to the competition for us to attend our second TOC. Reluctantly, we went as a team of two. We were at a major disadvantage, and it was a major challenge for us to adapt. As eager representatives of our school, as the only junior team that qualified, we were proud to be at a disadvantage. We were in a position many may consider impossible, but we overcame it, not independently, but as a team. We learned how to work fast and efficiently, cooperate and use our disadvantage as a motivation to work harder. During those years of learning and trying to keep up, in every regional, global and Tournament of Champions, I’ve found role models in all the talented scholars that have appeared on the debate showcase. I was constantly amazed and inspired by the successful scholars around me, I would watch incredible debaters keep the audience on the edge of their seats, debaters that destroy the opposition and walk off like it was nothing...I've witnessed crowds cheering endlessly and go ballistics for a single debater. It had always been a dream to hear Daniel call my name in a sea of other talented debaters, to achieve this would have been the perfect way to end my World Scholar’s Cup journey. Little did I know, in the summer of 2019 in Beijing, I would achieve my dream in all my years of competing: to be in the debate showcase of the senior division.
The debate showcase is a forum in which the competition showcases 8 of the top debating scholars across all nationalities and take either a negative or a positive stance, debating about a controversial topic in front of everyone. The debate showcase was the most exciting event for me and I knew I had come a long way and can now be proud of my improvements. However, that thought was accompanied by this sinking feeling of fear, “what if I actually have to go on stage? In front of 2000 people, that’s impossible”.
Naturally, my entire body was overcome with a wave of anxiety... as confident as I always seem speaking, I must admit I am deathly afraid of being on stage. While this inner conflict took place, I looked around and saw thousands of eager, young scholars. That was enough to snap me out of my fears, I too was once a young and eager scholar excited to see the debate showcase ad learn from the debaters. In probably the most stressful time of my life, the announcer reached the 7th scholar and I tried my best to swallow back my disappointment.
“And finally, our 8th and final scholar. From one of the largest delegation to compete in this Global round, the delegation of China, our host country... Can we please welcome a scholar from...Shanghai... from Shanghai United International School Gubei, Katrina Lee.” This must have been the happiest moment of my life, hearing the applause and cheering that came with this made me stand tall and walk to the stage. I couldn’t hold back my excitement, and it felt like my face was permanently stuck in a smile, from ear to ear. I got on stage and met my teammates, and we spent the first 3 minutes exclaiming about the situation. The debate was a success and our negative team won the debate on the motion: We should use less technology in the Arts.
Throughout my experiences, I’ve gained insight into an ever-changing world. I’ve learned to stand tall when facing adversities, and at those special moments when I overcome a fear or a challenge, I would look at myself in a whole new way, someone with the capabilities and powers to be whoever they want to be. Eventually, I could see myself helping people, by being the voice they don’t have. There are memories I will forever cherish, thanks to WSC. There has only been genuine happiness in the past 4 years in my participation, like every Scholar, I had hoped to leave a mark, and I did. To end on a quote (like the typical debater that I am)“To travel is better than to arrive”. I used to think there was only one path to take to get to where you want in life, but if you choose that one path, it doesn’t mean you have to abandon all of the other ones. I realize that it’s actually what happens along the way that counts. The stumbles and the falls, and the friendships. It’s the journey, not the destination.
99 more to go
For me, there was no eureka moment when I decided to commit myself to an event called World Scholar’s cup. I’ve participated in this competition since 2016, attending global rounds held in Bangkok, Thailand, Hanoi, Vietnam, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Beijing, China and three Tournament of Champions held at Yale University.
My name is Katrina Lee and this is my WSC story.
First, a little bit about me:
-I'm 17.
-I'm Taiwanese but my Dad grew up in Canada so I "inherited" a Canadian nationality.
-I grew up being more confident with English than Mandarin.
-I go to Shanghai United International School Gubei in Shanghai, China.
-I'm an avid film and literature lover:)
-I'm a non-stereotype abiding Asian, but I want to be a doctor.
Most people believe academic competitions exist purely to challenge our academic capabilities, but that is far from the truth. If that is to be believed, then the context of our experience matters little when compared to the content. World Scholar’s Cup has always guaranteed amazing experiences and memories for me, and to this day I will admit that no competition, however, dedicated and prestigious, can instil a desire for betterment more than World Scholar’s Cup. Unlike other students I grew up with, I saw the importance of speaking openly, I was never one to sit in the corner quietly when something should be said. I also know for a fact almost everyone I've met in WSC possessed the same qualities, WSC helped shape that passion for all of us. We had the opportunity to debate about topics we would rarely discuss at this age (controversial decisions that could change the world one day). A few of the most interesting motions I've ever debated are: A huge genocide would be beneficial to the world. International jurisdiction leads to global harmony. The United States makes other states less likely to fail. We should develop a vaccine for ageing. A government ran by androids would be less likely to fail. People should take moral responsibility to expose conspiracies. Governments should make societies more harmonious by hiding facts from the public. It would be better to live in a world without generalization. We should use less technology in the arts.
On a more intimate note, here's an insight into the side of World Scholar's Cup nobody talks about: Romance. Spoiler, it doesn’t end well. I met my first boyfriend in Hanoi, Vietnam. Trust me when I say, those relationships don't last long, unless you think met your soulmate then GO FOR IT! However, I, on the other hand, found more value in the friends I made along the way. To this day I'm still in touch with scholars I met years ago in my Scavenge team.
By far, I must admit, the most memorable experience of my life was the Beijing Globals of 2019. That is only because my hard work from the past four years had finally paid off, but I, like everyone else, started as an average scholar constantly in the shadows of my more successful peers. Bangkok, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur seem like a blur to me now, I was just a scholar trying to keep up...but in the end, all those adversities taught me everything I needed to know. I learned about my resilience and the value of friendship and teamwork. One of the most rewarding experience was when my teammate and I failed to find a third teammate for TOC, on a tight schedule, we had to submit our names to the competition for us to attend our second TOC. Reluctantly, we went as a team of two. We were at a major disadvantage, and it was a major challenge for us to adapt. As eager representatives of our school, as the only junior team that qualified, we were proud to be at a disadvantage. We were in a position many may consider impossible, but we overcame it, not independently, but as a team. We learned how to work fast and efficiently, cooperate and use our disadvantage as a motivation to work harder. During those years of learning and trying to keep up, in every regional, global and Tournament of Champions, I’ve found role models in all the talented scholars that have appeared on the debate showcase. I was constantly amazed and inspired by the successful scholars around me, I would watch incredible debaters keep the audience on the edge of their seats, debaters that destroy the opposition and walk off like it was nothing...I've witnessed crowds cheering endlessly and go ballistics for a single debater. It had always been a dream to hear Daniel call my name in a sea of other talented debaters, to achieve this would have been the perfect way to end my World Scholar’s Cup journey. Little did I know, in the summer of 2019 in Beijing, I would achieve my dream in all my years of competing: to be in the debate showcase of the senior division.
The debate showcase is a forum in which the competition showcases 8 of the top debating scholars across all nationalities and take either a negative or a positive stance, debating about a controversial topic in front of everyone. The debate showcase was the most exciting event for me and I knew I had come a long way and can now be proud of my improvements. However, that thought was accompanied by this sinking feeling of fear, “what if I actually have to go on stage? In front of 2000 people, that’s impossible”.
Naturally, my entire body was overcome with a wave of anxiety... as confident as I always seem speaking, I must admit I am deathly afraid of being on stage. While this inner conflict took place, I looked around and saw thousands of eager, young scholars. That was enough to snap me out of my fears, I too was once a young and eager scholar excited to see the debate showcase ad learn from the debaters. In probably the most stressful time of my life, the announcer reached the 7th scholar and I tried my best to swallow back my disappointment.
“And finally, our 8th and final scholar. From one of the largest delegation to compete in this Global round, the delegation of China, our host country... Can we please welcome a scholar from...Shanghai... from Shanghai United International School Gubei, Katrina Lee.” This must have been the happiest moment of my life, hearing the applause and cheering that came with this made me stand tall and walk to the stage. I couldn’t hold back my excitement, and it felt like my face was permanently stuck in a smile, from ear to ear. I got on stage and met my teammates, and we spent the first 3 minutes exclaiming about the situation. The debate was a success and our negative team won the debate on the motion: We should use less technology in the Arts.
Throughout my experiences, I’ve gained insight into an ever-changing world. I’ve learned to stand tall when facing adversities, and at those special moments when I overcome a fear or a challenge, I would look at myself in a whole new way, someone with the capabilities and powers to be whoever they want to be. Eventually, I could see myself helping people, by being the voice they don’t have. There are memories I will forever cherish, thanks to WSC. There has only been genuine happiness in the past 4 years in my participation, like every Scholar, I had hoped to leave a mark, and I did. To end on a quote (like the typical debater that I am)“To travel is better than to arrive”. I used to think there was only one path to take to get to where you want in life, but if you choose that one path, it doesn’t mean you have to abandon all of the other ones. I realize that it’s actually what happens along the way that counts. The stumbles and the falls, and the friendships. It’s the journey, not the destination.