On Sunday, July 13, 2025, two third-year high school students from Ritsumeikan Uji, Hibiki Abe and Rina Shigehisa, participated in the 18th Chinese Bridge Speech Contest for World Middle and High School Students (West Japan Regional Round) held at the Confucius Institute at Osaka Sangyo University.

Although both students began formal Chinese language study only in April, they delivered their speeches with confidence and composure. In front of a large audience, they proudly presented the results of their dedicated preparation and hard work. Through the process of crafting their speeches, they deepened their understanding of Chinese pronunciation and expression, while also gaining valuable insight into cross-cultural communication.

This contest served as a meaningful experience that highlighted both the challenges and the sense of achievement that come with language learning.

We look forward to seeing Hibiki and Rina continue to grow through their commitment to international exchange and multilingual learning. Please keep an eye on their future endeavors!