This summer, we have two debate interns in Shanghai that arrived June 25. We are thrilled to have them on board and wanted to introduce them! Welcome to the team, Audrianah and Brian.
Audrianah Shavrnoch is a junior at Central Michigan University studying Political Science in the United States. She has been debating for the last seven years, since her freshman year of high school. She has participated in Policy and Lincoln Douglas Debate styles. Audrianah is currently the President of the Central Michigan Debate Team. She has won multiple collegiate LD Debate tournaments during her career including the Ohio State University and Clarion University tournaments. She also is currently 4thin the country for collegiate LD Debate after competing in the United States national tournament this past April.
In her own words: “I am very excited to be interning in China as this is my first experience outside the United States. I only speak English, so I am hoping to learn as much Chinese as I can before the end of the summer. It will be such a rewarding experience to coach something that I am passionate about while be immersed in such an interesting culture. I look forward to working with the company and its students.”
Brian Anderson is a rising senior at Western Kentucky University. He studies economics, international affairs, and Mandarin. Last summer he participated in Princeton and Beijing Normal Universities’ intensive summer Mandarin program. Brian is super excited to develop his language skills and coach debate in Shanghai. While at Western Kentucky University he has interned with the U.S. State Department and coached the 2016 National Speech and Debate Association International Extemporaneous Speaking National Champion. Additionally, Brian conducts research on U.S.-Chinese relations and is currently writing his undergraduate thesis on perceptions of President Donald Trump in Asia.
In his own words: “This summer I hope to help foster the pedagogy of my favorite activity. I look forward to contributing to a community in China that has vastly improved my own public speaking, writing, and leadership skills. I started learning Mandarin and competing in debate to become a more well-rounded person and to develop a skillset that prepares me for job opportunities across both the public and private sectors. It is my earnest belief that every child should have the same opportunities to learn and grow that my coaches in Kentucky afforded me.“
Look for updates from them in the coming weeks as we learn about their experience.
