Debate Worlds ongoing

Apparently, the University of British Columbia is now hosting the world championships for intercollegiate debate. I remember being at the executive meeting where the idea of bidding was first proposed: back in the Beanery coffeeshop in the Fairview residence. That was in February 2003, during my middle year as the Debate Society treasurer. I still owe Meghan Mathieson many thanks for helping me get through the interminable paperwork associated with the position.

Sometimes, I regret not joining the Oxford Union. While it would have been about £180, it probably would have involved meeting some interesting people. I certainly did through UBC debate. Indeed, debaters seem to be an oddly cohesive group – they are far over-represented among people whose blogs I read, who I speak with online, and who I have generally kept in touch with since leaving Vancouver. Hopefully, if I do go on to do a PhD after working for a couple of years, the school I choose will have an interesting debate society that is not quite as outlandishly priced.

PS. I note with dismay that £180 is now $410.88 Canadian. Falling oil prices can be rough when you are living abroad and “there is a very, very strong positive relationship between movements in oil prices and movements in the value of the Canadian dollar.” (Source)

Author: Milan

In the spring of 2005, I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in International Relations and a general focus in the area of environmental politics. In the fall of 2005, I began reading for an M.Phil in IR at Wadham College, Oxford. Outside school, I am very interested in photography, writing, and the outdoors. I am writing this blog to keep in touch with friends and family around the world, provide a more personal view of graduate student life in Oxford, and pass on some lessons I've learned here. View all posts by Milan