What was the most challenging element of the debate project for you personally? Did you overcome that challenge and if so, how did you do so? 

Personally, I found that the most challenging element of this project was answering my classmates’ questions about my subject. In the moment it was sometimes difficult to create detailed answers with such a short period of time available to decide what I wanted to say. I overcame this challenge by starting to talk. Once I started talking, I found that it was easier to figure out what I was trying to say. Another challenge was if there was a word that I couldn’t think of in French. I overcame this challenge by finding a different way to express myself by using my words to explain what the word was that I was trying to come up with.  

– How did this project (as presenter or listener) change your perspectives? 

This project as both a presenter and listener changed my perspective as I had to view both sides of the topic being debated. By taking one side, whether I agreed or disagreed with it, I would find information that held weight even if it was against my own personal values and beliefs, which enabled me to better understand the points of view of both sides of the debate. It helped me to see that everyone’s opinion is valid, and each person has a right to their own personal beliefs.  

– What were you most proud of in your project? 

I was most proud of presenting in front of the class for this project. I get nervous easily when it comes to presentations and speaking in front of the class. Being able to present with Priya in front of the class with me helped as well because having a close friend presenting with me was reassuring. I’m proud of how calm I felt and the steadiness of my voice while I was speaking. I am also proud of myself for being able to argue for the against side of my debate topic as I personally am in between whether I feel that dogs should be euthanized for aggressivity or not as my brother was attacked by a dog a few years ago and he had to go to the ER. The government then paid $80,000 in taxpayers money to be able to care for the dog and pay for the trial just to let an aggressive dog that caused my brother to go to the hospital to live. When my brother was attacked was also not the first time that the dog had shown aggressive tendencies.