An Amazing Dubbing Journey

The field of communications covers a vast array of topics, and as I delved deeper into it, I realized there was so much more to learn. Initially, I was interested in film production and behind-the-scenes work, but by chance, I came across a voice-over competition online.

Curious to explore something new and gain experience through competitions, I decided to give it a try. That decision unexpectedly led my friends and me on a trip to Shaoxing, where we combined travel with competing—an adventure we hadn't anticipated but thoroughly enjoyed.

The competition I participated in was the 2024 Fifth International University Student Voiceover Competition – Jianhu Carnival. Initially, I joined with the simple goal of gaining experience, so I hastily submitted my film without much expectation.

To my surprise, I received a notification from the organizers informing us that we had advanced to the final round, which would take place in Shaoxing in just two weeks. I was completely shocked—I never thought we had a chance of making it that far, and the entire experience felt surreal.

That very night, we rushed to book train tickets and find suitable accommodation. Over the next few days, my friends and I also had to make arrangements to take time off from school, as the competition coincided with our classes.

On our first day in Shaoxing, we headed straight to the rehearsal venue. While waiting for our turn, we watched some incredible performances from other groups. Their dubbing was full of life, with perfect timing and impressive delivery.

Beyond the competition itself, the organizers had also arranged lectures by professional voice coaches, making the event feel like a true carnival of learning and creativity.

My friends and I spent three days and two nights in Shaoxing. Aside from competing, we took the opportunity to explore local attractions, including the former residence of Lu Xun, since some of us had never been to the city before.

Although we didn’t stay in Shaoxing until after the awards ceremony, I later received exciting news—our group had won second prize!

This trip to Shaoxing not only deepened my appreciation for the art of dubbing but also allowed me to witness the incredible talent of each contestant. I’ve come to realize that dubbing itself is a form of learning. While it’s not my main field of study, this experience has inspired me to explore new possibilities and step outside my comfort zone.

I’m especially grateful to my friends for their support and enthusiasm—joining me in the competition and even traveling to another city just as the school year began. Winning second prize was a testament to our collective effort, and I couldn’t be happier or more thankful.

With such an amazing experience behind us, I know this won’t be our last competition together. We’ll be back, ready for more challenges—and I’m already looking forward to competing in the sixth edition of the contest!