It was around December 2017 that I was informed our school was about to host the NASPAA-Batten (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration) Global Student Simulation Competition. The original intention of my signing up was to seize more opportunities to challenge myself and to learn more on the platform of UIBE. As an MPA student who returned to the campus after working for 3 years, this opportunity became particularly valuable. However, after knowing about the high requirements of English proficiency and theoretical knowledge in the competition, I lost my heart/confidence. On one side, I wanted to improve my competences through this competition, but on the other side, I was worried and nervous that I would compete with students from many famous universities such as Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Nanyang Technological University, and National University of Singapore.
Despite the complex emotions in my heart, the opportunity to challenge myself at NEPAA was quite valuable, so I began to strengthen my professional learning to seize this chance. As for English learning, I have gotten some groundwork for many years. But I felt a sense of helplessness in policy analysis and the theoretical knowledge of global health security. Fortunately, I could receive assistance from teacher Chen Xu and Qing Wang under such circumstances, and touch the fundaments of relevant policy theories, so that I was able to face the competition with some confidence.
A total of 58 students participated in the Asian Division organized by UIBE on the day of the competition. It was the largest of the 16 divisions in the world. 58 students were divided into 12 groups and incorporated into 3 worlds. Each world contained 4 groups. Two days before the match, I learned that my teammates came from Renmin University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Jinan University, and international students from UIBE MPA. This team was about to strive with me in the following competition.
My team
On the match day, even if I anticipated the fierce competition, I still felt the disparities in my own competence when I met other players. Students from professional colleges such as the Military Medical University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) showed their professionalism of exploring in one direction. And I saw students from internationally renowned universities fluently and confidently expressed ideas in English such as Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore. Fortunately, I thought I was not alone. I was a member of an excellent team. The rhythm of the competition was quite tight and compact. From 9 am to 5 pm, we needed to conduct four rounds of simulation policy development analysis. The group needed to allocate the role of different government officials in each round of analysis, such as the prime minister and minister of finance. We should develop policies according to different stages of epidemic outbreaks to ensure the domestic social movement, economic stability, and epidemic control. After the grinding-in among the group members from the beginning, gradually we were familiar with the software and later each subsequent round we could surpass the results of the previous round. The sense of accomplishment from teamwork was indescribable at that time, so we could only convey our excitement by high-fiving.
During the Competition
After completing the 4 rounds of simulation policy, we finally ranked second in all groups. It was a pity that we did not enter the final demonstration. Although the results were not the best, the process of discussion, analysis, and post-competition replay allowed us to quickly absorb the principles and methods of policy formulation. After the match, my teammate Zhang from Shanghai Jiaotong University said something that resonated with me, “Probably we were nto the best team, but we must be the most tacit and fastest-growing team.”
Sitting at the closing ceremony, we were glad to see that the two winning teams would represent the Asian Division in the next global competition. I was also very delighted to see that Noah Myung, one of the representatives of NASAPAA Congress and director of the University of Virginia Leadership Simulation and Competition Center, praised the excellent decision-making leadership demonstrated by Asian competitors. As one of these contestants, I felt quite honored, hearing such a praise.
The past experiences made me care more about the results, but the sense of accomplishment I gained from this competition is far more than that from results. Through the process from graduation to work, and returning to school, I really cherish the school time, but I also find myself stuck in old ways. I seemed to be afraid of acknowledging my inadequacies when compared with outstanding students. Fortunately, I participated in this competition and I did not give up. I am grateful to my school for actively applying for the certification of global NASPAA and lead students to grow up with the university. A group member from Renmin University of China also said something that I really agree with, “The vision that a good school can bring to students is quite different. They want to make every effort to allow their students to learn and comprehend.” In the beginning of the year2018, I was injected with such a booster. After harvesting these new insights and new friends, I believe I can be better when facing the next opportunity and challenge.
Thus, I wrote down these feelings after the closing ceremony. It may be a bit confusing, or somewhat trivial, but learning is endless.
Receiving the Award certificates in the closing ceremony
