2016新歓ブログリレー6・Masako’s Blog “Debate and me”

みなさんこんにちは!新歓ブログリレーを読んでくださりありがとうございます!明日から授業が始まりますね。皆さんの入部をお待ちしています!

ところで、このWebサイトに大会での実績をまとめたページがあるのをご存知ですか?(こちらから)モデルディベートで輝いていた先輩たちが、実際に国内、国外でどんなふうに活躍していたのか、ぜひ見てみてください。一年間でどんな大会がいつ頃行われるかを知る良い材料にもなると思いますよ!

さて、今日の担当は、チーフを務めている2年の石原麻紗子です!しっかり者で数々の大会で輝かしい成績を収め、サークル全体を一生懸命引っ張ってくれている一方、ときには天然発言と独特のクッキングセンスでまわりを困らせる(?)まさこ。英語で、自分がディベートについてどんな風に考えているのかを書いてくれました!

まさらいしぐろ

まさらいしぐろ


Hello:) I’m Masako, the current chief (the representative or the president if you prefer) of KDS.

Feel free to ask me any questions regarding anything 😀

Today I will write an introspective blog about how KDS has positively impacted my life. But of course, since there is a certain limit as to the amount of information a single blog can provide, please note in mind that there’s a lot more to KDS than what’s written in here!

 1 Why I decided to join KDS and the enter world of debating

For me, KDS at first seemed to be nothing but a club that allows you to speak in comparatively decent English than others; I’ll be honest in saying that I did not find particular attraction toward KDS. I also had negative connotations and stereotypes toward the word “debating”: tedious, insipid, unexciting, and so on. I thought that I wouldn’t fit in to what I thought to be a rigorous office-like society.

The truth is, I was WRONG.  The model debate I watched during shinkan literally astonished, mesmerized, captivated me. Passionate and adrenalized debaters in fervent atmosphere speaking alluring English… that was enough to tell me that parliamentary debating, an impromptu debating where you have to think what you have to say on the spot, was not insipid at all but rather exceptionally inspiring. Right after watching the model debate I signed up for the dinner and loved the warm, inclusive yet earnest atmosphere (there were also no coercions of drinking at all :D) of KDS. I knew this was where I wanted to be – a place where you can not only enhance your English and logical thinking skills but also laugh and have fun with your marvelous mates.

Elizabeth Cup 2015

Elizabeth Cup 2015

2 What I gained through debating

Out of the myriad of blessings given by debating and debating societies, today I will focus on two.

チーフ

チーフ

A. People

So, what kind of people are debaters? Debaters are no different from people surrounding you right now. Some are more outgoing and would start singing whenever popular songs are put on; some are more introverted and shy. The unique characteristics of debaters are that they are open-minded, have their own ideologies in their head, and pay close attention to social issues, and I think those characteristics are what counts the most. The whole entire debating communities are inclusive; debaters will accept you just the way you are; you will be able to live as your true self whenever you are with them. The open-mindedness happens because through debating, debaters are constantly washed away their stereotypes and are exposed to new aspects/ideas. The second unique characteristic of debaters is that they possess their strong beliefs inside their mind, and sometimes those beliefs will deeply inspire you. Oh, and I think it’s quite unnatural and therefore wonderful that with debaters you can talk about relationships at one point and then switch the topic to social issues (ISIS, feminist movement, politics, etc…) in  an instant:)
P.S. when I say debating community, this is not only limited to people from KDS but also people from various universities (Waseda, Tokyo, Hitotsubashi, etc). You will have a plenty of opportunities to be close friends with them!梅子3

B. True sense of joy & pleasure

There is no doubt that debating is an inspirational, fun, exciting competition. Yet, there is also no doubt that no one would be completely satisfied with themselves every time s/he debates; you will surely have some ups and downs. But the thing is, although you would feel more or less frustrated and depressed by debating, joy of winning, pleasure of getting compliments, and desire to new rounds override those negative sensations. When you win awards and trophies, you feel that you are blessed. Even when you lose, when someone tells you that s/he particularly liked your speech, you know that your effort has paid off. The sense of joy and pleasure become meaningful especially when you have used your brain to the full extent, which happens quite often in debating.D

3 What I want to say to newcomers

KDS welcomes those who wish to enter; it doesn’t matter whether you are a returnee or not. It doesn’t matter whether you want to dedicate your university life on debating or focus on other events as well; as long as you have some interests on parliamentary debating, and as long as you do want to belong to KDS, we are always welcoming you, and I as a chief will make sure that this happens. Think of entering KDS as an opportunity that you have been granted; whether you take that opportunity or not is up to you. If you decide to take the opportunity, you will be joining us to walk the challenging yet thrilling path of debating. Hope to see you soon! 🙂

おめでとう!!!


Thank you Masako! We’re all really proud to promote KDS to you! Feel free to come to our practice and dinner!

新歓ブログリレーはあしたまでとなります。7日目となる明日は、3年生の干場さんに担当してもらいます。お楽しみに!最後までどうかお付き合いください!


ここで、新歓コンパの紹介です!

新歓コンパ:4月10日(日)@渋谷Bar Jack 18:00-20:00

17:30に渋谷駅集合の予定です。参加したい方は、人数を把握したいので何らかの方法でこちらに連絡をくださるとうれしいです!

毎年多くの方に参加していただいてます。もう入部を決めた方も、まだ迷っている方も、どなたでも参加できます。KDSやディベートのことを知ることができるだけではなく、メンバーや新入生同士で仲良くなれる最高の機会だと思うので、ぜひぜひいらしてください!