NIC Student Wins First Prize in the 31st Aichi Prefecture High School English Speech Contest

On Saturday, November 2, 2024, Grade 11 student Chiyu participated in the 31st Aichi Prefecture High School English Speech Contest and won first place. With the speech topic “Being a Nerd,” Chiyu's powerful speech in which she stated “Being passionate about what you love is not something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be proud of,” allowed her to continue on to the next competition, the Tokai-Hokuriku contest.

Thirteen high school students, selected from a total of 77 students in the regional qualifying rounds in Aichi Prefecture, participated in this year's competition. During the Q&A session after the speeches, the judges asked, “What support do you think schools can provide to help children of your generation develop their passions?” In response, Chiyu stated, “At my school, NUCB International College, the teachers have a wide range of knowledge and a high level of expertise in their respective subjects, so they are able to provide advice and information according to the interests and needs of each student. I believe that by providing this environment, students can learn more about the fields of study and departments that interest them and pursue their passions for the future"

Looking back on the preparation period, Chiyu said that she struggled the most with the selection of topics. She chose her topic based on her own experiences as a returnee from abroad and social issues that have been attracting global attention in recent years. This summer, Chiyu visited Columbia University and Georgetown University, where she studied international diplomacy with peers of the same age from around the world. Impressed by the intensity of passion of her peers, she decided to give a speech about the importance of being passionate about what you love. Once she had her speech drafted, she used the school auditorium to practice her speaking style and eye contact and invited upperclassmen to a practice session at the dormitory to get advice, gradually building up her confidence.

She said that she was able to deliver her speech without being too nervous, but that her speech would have been even better if she had paid more attention to her body as a whole, including her intonation and gestures. They will continue to refine their speeches with the help of their schoolmates and teachers in preparation for their next competition. The Tokai-Hokuriku Block Contest will be held in Ishikawa Prefecture on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

NIC Advantages

NUCB International College is designed to provide a world-class education with excellent facilities and a rich natural environment, on its 200-acre campus, in Nisshin city, Japan.

Excellence in Education

The case method, first developed at Harvard Business School in 1922 and now commonly used in elite academic institutions worldwide, is incorporated into the teaching approaches for leadership education at NIC. Small classes enable personalised supervision by multinational faculty members with master's or doctoral degrees and faculty from affiliated top business schools. In addition, the Summer School for prospective students (July) and a preparatory course (the Bridging Programme) for September admission are also offered.

Safe Boarding Environment

The school provides a safe and secure co-educational boarding environment with reference to international boarding standards. 'House Supervisors', who are well versed in psychological and health management, provide daily support and regular individual counselling to ensure optimal support and guidance for each student. Through living together with peers from different cultures and experiences, students develop the qualities required of the next generation of leaders.