Theme: Inside Out

It is an undeniable fact that each figure has multiple unique social roles in the world. The social roles can be determined by the individuals’ knowledge about themselves, the categories they label themselves into, or by the wider society, like their positions in the community, how they are linked to the bigger picture.
In this TEDx experience, speakers are welcomed to share their views regarding their perceived positions in different social contexts, their special relation with the world and their perspectives about the bigger picture as a whole.

Guanghua Cambridge International School Auditorium
Chuanzhou Lu
No. 2788
Shanghai, Shanghai, 201319
China

Kaixi Tang

Guanghua Cambridge International School student 26'

"The first time I saw the theme 'Inside Out,' I came up with the contrast between the 'inner' and 'outer.' In my daily experiences, I have been deeply aware of the difficulty of aligning inner moral awareness with outward behavior, which motivated me to choose the philosophical concept of 'unity of knowledge and action' as the gist of my speech. It’s not just a personal struggle—I’ve also noticed my peers and society as a whole facing the same challenge. This made me realize that our thoughts, feelings, and actions should not stop at the germination of inner ideas but should be reflected in outward, practical actions. By sharing this concept through my own experiences, how this philosophy has helped me grow, I hope to use this opportunity to help others who face similar challenges to overcome this difficulty."

Lianer Ma

Guanghua Cambridge International School student 26'

Initially consumed by frustration from my project, I eventually overcame it by a creative shift in my mindset. I discovered a new perspective: perhaps true failure is the most vivid way in demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. Being suddenly enlightened, I wrote down "Being unlucky means being lucky." It was fortunate that this reflection aligned perfectly with the theme of this event, and I'm deeply grateful to TEDx GHCIS for giving me the opportunity to share my genuine insights drawn from vivid real-life experiences. The journey from unlucky to lucky is not merely a shift in external circumstances, but an outward manifestation of a profound change in mindset — one that reshapes our actions to stimulate completely different, and unexpectedly remarkable outcomes. When we successfully train ourselves to see the other side of negative emotions and unlucky events, we can gain the power to unveil the hidden potential and strength that lie deep within us.

Mingxuan Wang

Guanghua Cambridge International School student 26'

It seems that all the online discussions about high sensitivity are negative: "Stay away from highly-sensitive friends", "Don't date highly-sensitive lovers", confusing various "highly-sensitive", "anxious", and "avoidant" types and attaching negative labels to them all. The psychological isolation of highly sensitive people makes them even more trapped in internal conflicts. I don't deny that the improper use of high sensitivity can have a significant negative impact on those people around them, but the solution is definitely not isolation. Instead, it should be about allowing highly-sensitive people to gradually coexist harmoniously with themselves, recognizing their characteristics and using them reasonably to make their lives more comfortable, while also maintaining stable and long-term relationships with the people they care about. I hope everyone can love themselves inside-out.

Qianhui Sun

Guanghua Cambridge International School student 26'

Six months ago, I added "TEDx Talk" to my bucket list – and that dream has been brought to fruition. As I crafted my speech, one phrase perfectly encapsulated the "Inside Out" concept to me: "True transformation begins within." The stories of Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and Malala all demonstrate how inner strength reshapes the external world. Michael Jordan turned relentless self-reflection and perseverance into a legendary basketball career. Oprah Winfrey harnessed empathy to transform countless lives. Malala converted trauma into a global force for education and peace even in the face of violence. Their journeys taught me that external success is never accidental—it springs from self-awareness and unshakable conviction. Too often, we chase outward achievements, yet lasting fulfillment comes from nurturing our inner growth and staying true to our values. By cultivating wisdom, we don’t just change ourselves—we ripple outward, touch lives and ultimately reshape the world.

Wanjing Lin

Guanghua Cambridge International School student 26'

"Being chosen to take part in the TEDxGHCIS event is an honor, and right now, I want to declare, "I did it!" I gained a deep understanding of the true meaning of the saying "one minute on the stage, ten years of work under the stage" from the repeated refining of the topic, the frame-by-frame polishing of the speech, the repeated practice on the fifth floor of the Yuanpei building’s corridor, enduring the cold wind, to the speech delivered on stage with ease. I am grateful to TEDxGHCIS for giving me this enormous platform, to the instructor for her expert advice, and most importantly, to myself for my persistence! I conquered my inner anxiety the minute I stood on stage and understood that this speech was not just the convey of thought but also the starting point of thought resonance. I hope to be able to take part in it again in the future!"

Yingqi Zhang

Guanghua Cambridge International School student 26'

"In this speech, I delved into clichés and discovered that they are not just empty expressions; in fact, they carry our so many shared stories and experiences. While many people roll their eyes at phrases like "love at first sight" or "think outside the box," I believe that it is precisely these seemingly ordinary phrases that can bring us closer together as a community. I realized that the charm of clichés lies in their ability to convey our emotions, emotions that almost everyone has experienced. They are like an old friend—though the words may be a bit repetitive, hearing them always warms the heart. Therefore, I decided to stop simply criticizing them and instead explore the true meanings behind these expressions. This speech made me reflect that perhaps the next time I hear a cliché, I should pause and think, "What truths does it hold for me?" By doing so, we might find more resonance and understanding, making communication more effective and vivid."

Yuze Li

Guanghua Cambridge International School student 25'

"When I first saw the title Inside Out, my initial thought was "from the inside out." I chose to approach this concept through a common societal issue—urban violence—analyzing how to effectively reduce crime. I ultimately concluded that the best way to control crime is by addressing its root causes and focusing on those most likely to commit offenses. This also led me to reflect on how, when facing challenges in life or academics, we should aim to tackle the core of the problem rather than just its surface. Moreover, as a newcomer to public speaking, TEDxGHCIS was a great opportunity for me to step out of comfort zone, making it truly unique and memorable experience!"