The community I would like to tell you about is the KSAEL Debate Club. I am a freshman at Khabarovsk State Academy of Economics and Law. And since the very beginning of my student’s life I have been attending the Debate Club of our Academy. I joined it because I knew that it would be a great chance for me to improve my English, to practice my public speaking skills and to discuss topics that really interest me, such as international economics, politics and social life. But in a while, I understood that debating was not the only activity of the Debate Club.

There are many other interests it embraces. For example, we participate in different social programs such as visiting orphanages.

Also we take part in different conferences. Being a first year student of the Academy and a newcomer in the Debate Club I have already participated in videoconference with Wichita University and in the conference with Academy of Justice.

Along with our formal sessions and debating we have a lot of informal meetings. We enjoy celebrating holidays together, going to cinemas and theatres and simply meeting in cafes.

And now I am absolutely fascinated by this project with Stanford!

Here is my opinion of the real community, which describes one’s identity.

In my opinion a real community is not only when people gather to discuss their work and problems, but also when they spend much time together, and what is even more important - when they have a lot of common interests. I mean that a real community should embrace many aspects in life, not only work or studies. This term is much wider and it touches different spheres of human life.

I belive that our Debate Club is a real community, because it meets all these above mentioned expectations. I can tell that I attend debating sessions not only because I know that it is useful for my professional development, but also because I emotionally belong to the club community. Every time I visit classes and am involved in activities, I expect something new and interesting. I always can’t wait to meet my friends and to communicate and do things together. This membership is very important for me. And I am happy to be able to share this feeling with you.

Vlasenko Katya