Last November 3 to 5, 2023, I attended a competition in Penang, Malaysia called the Eurasian Spelling Bee. It was the world finals. I was one of the remaining three participants from Indonesia and the only one representing BINUS Schools. I brought home the Merit Award.  More than the award is the experience and friends I gained, and of course, the confidence that I didn’t know I had, are the ones I can never forget. 

On the first day, we stayed at Hotel Penaga in George Town. It was a vintage-like hotel, and a cozy room! We checked out the places near our hotel and of course, the place for the competition. We also tasted some of their cuisine. Penang is known for its sumptuous foods, and we were not disappointed.  We went back to the hotel early so I can still practice spelling some words.

The following day was the day of the competition. I was nervous, and brave at the same time.  I knew that something good is about to happen this day! First was the Writing and Listening Test. This was the one where I think I did a decent job at. I got 81 points out of 90.  We didn’t get to see what the words are that I did well and the words that I was not able to spell correctly. 

After the closed-door writing and listening part of the spelling is the nerve-wracking oral spelling.  All of us in the same level, BEE 2, were called on the stage to spell five random words. I spelled, immediately, commitment, friendship, respectful, and carefree.  I spelled all the words correctly despite the pressure to do the spelling in front of many people.  This is the first time I did oral spelling in front of a crowd! Can you imagine the nervousness I felt that day?

The third day and final reckoning: the announcement of winners and the Awarding Ceremony. I was afraid I wouldn’t make it. When the time finally arrived, I was prepared to know what I got. I got a Merit Award, which was okay, but I think I can do better next time in the next competition. If I can practice more and more over time, I think I can break my silver medal streak and get a gold medal!

Even if the awards and the medal drive the competitors to win the competition, there’s no denying that it is the entire experience of joining the competition, good and bad, are the memories that you will keep and eventually molds you to strive for better things in life and to be a better person along the way.

I hope I can join the next competition, and that there will be more students from BINUS to join next year’s Eurasian Spelling BEE competition!