Medan Independent School Students Shine at World Scholar’s Cup in Bangkok

by Jason Pringle, English Teacher

Six students from Medan Independent School recently embarked on an exciting journey to Bangkok, Thailand, to participate in the prestigious World Scholar’s Cup 2024. This global academic competition, known for its engaging and diverse challenges, brought together scholars from around the world to showcase their skills in debating, writing, and collaborative problem-solving.

Throughout the competition, the students participated in a wide range of events. These included the Team Debate, where they displayed their argumentative skills on complex topics, and the Collaborative Writing event, where they worked together to craft compelling essays. The Scholar’s Challenge tested their knowledge across various subjects, while the Scholar’s Bowl featured interactive quizzes that encouraged quick thinking and teamwork.

Apart from the competitive events, the students had the opportunity to explore the vibrant culture and history of Bangkok. A day excursion took them to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, offering them a break from the intensity of the competition and allowing them to soak in Thailand’s rich heritage. First, the students toured Wat Pho, located in Sanam Chai, near the Grand Palace. The brightly decorated mosaic tiling around the buildings and the Reclining Buddha were some of the highlights. Then, a boat ride down the Chao Phraya river to the enormous ICONSIAM shopping mall gave the students the opportunity to view the splendour of Thailand. At ICONSIAM, the students were offered a huge array of lunch choices followed by some shopping.

The experience continued on Tuesday evening with the World Scholar’s Cup’s famous Cultural Fair followed by the Closing Ceremony on Wednesday. These colourful events were a celebration of global unity, where participants from different countries shared aspects of their cultures through performances, traditional attire, and food. The Medan students proudly represented Indonesia, sharing their own culture with the international community.

It was an unforgettable experience for the students, who not only enhanced their academic skills but also made lifelong friendships and memories. A special mention to Darlene for being awarded 5th overall for her writing, to Darlene’s team for being awarded 3rd place overall for writing, and to Dana for being awarded 8th in the Barely Senior category. All teams have now qualified for the next round which is held in Yale University, USA. Congratulations on your achievements!