A Small Voice, a Big Change: BUCI Student Wins National Chinese Speech Contest
International Chinese-language student takes first place in national Chinese speech competition by sharing her real-life experiences
Congratulations to Hui Mei Aphiwong (May), a first-year BBA student at the Chinese International College and a 100% Prakai Petch scholarship recipient, who won first place in the final round of the 11th Change the World Speech Contest 2026, held under the theme “Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life, Change Society, Build World Peace” at Dhurakij Pundit University.
This achievement is more than just a proud accomplishment — it reflects the courage to use one’s “own voice” to share personal experiences and perspectives on society, proving that even a first-year student can create change starting today, as long as she dares to think, act, and pass on something good to others.
First-Year Students Can Achieve Too — If They Make the Most of Every Opportunity
Having just entered university as a first-year student, May is determined to make the most of every moment, believing that university life isn’t only about classroom learning but also a crucial time to discover one’s strengths and develop well-rounded skills. “I enjoy taking part in activities and didn’t want to waste any time. On top of that, as a scholarship student, I need to build up a portfolio and take part in activities anyway, and I also wanted to develop other skills of my own — so I looked for activities that would be both meaningful and beneficial, and that’s how I found this competition,” she said.
Another key motivation was the contest theme itself, which gave participants the space to share their ideas about social change. “I wanted to share the ideas I had with others — starting from my own small voice, combined with the experiences I’ve had, to pass on and exchange with people,” she said.
“Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life, Change Society” — From Real Experience to the National Stage
What allowed May to deliver the contest theme with such power was drawing on real volunteer experience from her high school years as the core of her speech.
May had taken part in volunteer activities and encountered the disparities and inequality present in society — including underprivileged children and elderly people living in isolation. That experience led her to ask herself what a small individual like her could possibly do for society. But once she became part of organizing activities that brought children together to talk with elderly people, her perspective changed. “I realized that even someone as small as me can help — you don’t need a lot of money, just a dedicated and determined heart,” she said.
The Road to the Final: Portfolio and Selection
For this competition, applicants had to submit information about their past work and activities, along with meaningful personal stories, plus a video introducing the contest topic in Chinese, in order to pass the online selection round before advancing to the final.
After learning that she had been selected for the final round, May consulted Dr. Kittinan Kruepaet and received guidance and speech coaching, as well as help refining the details of her presentation script, from Dr. Chaweewan Wongcharoenkul, which made her presentation even more polished.
In the final round, each contestant had to speak in front of the judging panel and a large audience of fellow competitors, with five minutes allotted per speaker. May chose to build her speech around her own direct experience, allowing her to deliver the content naturally, while also studying techniques for effective speech-telling to make her story more engaging and relatable to the audience. “What I think was the most important key to winning first place was truly understanding and breaking down the topic,” she said.
A Prize Greater Than the Trophy: “The Exchange of Ideas”
Although May took home first place, what she gained from the competition held even more value than the award itself — the chance to meet contestants from a wide range of age groups. “What surprised me most were the Gen Alpha kids — they’re so talented and had completely new perspectives I had never considered before. It was another stage where I got to hear such different and diverse viewpoints. For me, learning new perspectives while also having the chance to share my own story with others was an achievement just as meaningful as winning the award,” she said.
May, Hui Mei Apiwong’s success this time is not simply the story of a first-year student winning a Chinese speech contest — it’s the story of a young person who chose to use her “own small voice” to share her experiences, inspire others, and pass on good ideas to society. Because sometimes, great change doesn’t begin with the loudest voice, but with an ordinary person who believes their own voice can make a difference.