College of the North Atlantic - Qatar students have travelled the world this year showcasing their debating skills. Atif Ahmed, Karim Bakhsh and Sarah Al-Hashimi have all taken the skills they developed at CNA-Q to debates in Ireland and Washington D.C.

Atif and Karim were the first CNA-Q team to participate in the 29th Annual World Debating Championships in Cork, Ireland and saw the experience as a great learning opportunity.

"This event really opened my eyes to different cultures," said Bakhsh. "Watching different teams debate really gives you an insight into how people from different countries think, what their thought process is."

This years Championships marked the first time that teams based in the Middle East participated and both Atif and Karim were happy to introduce their culture to people.

"So many of the other participants only knew the Middle East from what they�ve seen on the news. It was great to be able to dispel some myths about the region," Ahmed stated.

When the team returned from Ireland and shared their experiences, another CNA-Q student was preparing for her own international experience. In March, Sarah Al-Hashimi travelled to Washington, DC as part of the first U.S. hosted Doha Debates.

"It�s such an honour to have been chosen," said Al-Hashimi. "I have been participating in the Doha Debates for over a year but this trip is the experience of a lifetime."

Producers of the BBC television show contacted CNA-Q Debate Club faculty representative Doug MacDonald to discuss Sarahs participation.

"Over the past year, the producers have been watching the students at the Doha Debates to see who has made the most interesting and compelling comments," said MacDonald. "When the opportunity to host a debate in Washington came up, they knew they wanted Sarah to participate."

While in Washington, Sarah and the other participants were given insider tours of various government institutions as well as of host Georgetown University

"We were able to visit Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Museum and the Pentagon, and met Thomas Friedman of the NY Times" said Sarah. "I would never have had this opportunity had it not been for my participation in the Debate Club at CNA-Q."

"We were given the opportunity to debate against the students at Georgetown University�and we won. I got the first question in the televised debate which was "This House Believes the U.S. should be tougher on Israel."

"These opportunities are priceless for our students," said MacDonald. "The chance to learn not only from experts, but their peers from around the world is something that can�t be measured. In the years that I have been involved with the Debate Club I have seen such a difference in our students abilities not only in public speaking, but in all areas of their education. The confidence they gain is invaluable."

Atif, Karim and Sarah are all members of the CNA-Q Debate Club which was formed in 2005 to provide students the opportunity to practice their public speaking as well as enhance their critical thinking. Since 2005 many CNA-Q debate club members have participated in the Doha Debates, both in Qatar and the UK, as well as local debates on-campus and around the State.