Representing our school and our country on an international platform was nothing short of a dream come true for us. The World Youth Forum 2025, held in Macau, was an unforgettable experience — one that pushed us beyond our comfort zones, taught us invaluable lessons, and gave us memories for a lifetime.
When we first heard that we were selected to participate, we could hardly believe it. If anyone had told us a month earlier that we’d be travelling to Macau, we would have laughed in disbelief! But soon, the thrill turned into determination. Preparing for the forum wasn’t easy — we had to balance research and studies while simultaneously managing our unit exams. We became each other’s motivators, late-night study partners, and personal cheerleaders.
After a 24-hour journey, we finally reached Macau, but the work didn’t stop there — in fact, it intensified. From early mornings to late nights, we juggled preparation, practice, and participation. The energy of the event kept us going. The forum brought together students from across the globe — China, Thailand, Indonesia, America, Singapore, India and many more — creating an environment buzzing with diversity, knowledge, and collaboration.
The events were exciting and challenging. We began with the Opening Ceremony, where organizers and education leaders welcomed us warmly and shared insights into the journey ahead. The first academic event was the Objective Test covering five subjects: Maths, Science, Social Science, Fine Arts and Music, Literature, and Economics.
Next came the Super Quiz, where we worked in teams under intense time pressure, answering rapid-fire questions within just 10 seconds each. Then it was time for the Themed Speech. Our team’s topic was “Should kids under the age of 13 be allowed on social media?”, while the senior team spoke on “AI and Algorithms in Identity.” The thrill of public speaking didn’t end there — we also faced an Impromptu Speech challenge, preparing a two-minute talk on “Should AI-generated art be considered real art?” in just three minutes.
One of the highlights was the Academic Fair, where we designed a poster on “Unlocking Access: How Emerging Technologies Empower Education for Youth with Disabilities” within 60 minutes and presented our ideas to an international audience. The senior’s topic was “Are we procrastinating more because tech gives us more ways to escape effort” The final academic event, the Under-20 Challenge, pushed us to collaborate with students from different countries and cultures. Our team explored the topic of Shanghai’s water pollution, specifically the Shzhou Creek, presenting a detailed seven-minute analysis.
Beyond academics, the forum taught us so much more — leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and communication. There were challenges, of course — from cultural differences to language barriers — but we overcame them through patience and collaboration. Interacting with students from across the world gave us a broader perspective and a deep sense of global community.
Looking back, we realize how much our Vidya Valley journey prepared us for this moment. From Grandparents’ Day performances in junior KG to Harshotsav, from house activities in
sixth grade to leadership camps in ninth, from debates and group projects to JAM sessions — every experience honed our confidence, communication, and teamwork skills.
The Closing Ceremony was both joyous and bittersweet as we celebrated with many medals and trophies, shared heartfelt farewells, and promised to stay connected with the friends we had made from around the world.
You know, before I had gone to China, I didn’t even know where exactly was Shanghai on the map. And now look how time changes. This experience has not just made us better students but also better global citizens. We returned home inspired, motivated, and determined to aim higher. And next time, we don’t just want to be a group of 12 students representing Vidya Valley — we want to see many more of you join us on this incredible journey, representing our school and our country with pride.
The World Youth Forum 2025 wasn’t just an event; it was a life-changing experience.
Thank You !!!
