It is about time

I've been doing the graduate student speaker stuff last couple weeks. But unforturnately after the audition on Monday I am not the lucky person. I still want to let you know what I appreciate during the two years. Here is the speech I am going to give if I am the person. I wish I am. But anyways...

Distinguished guests, administrators, professors, families, friends and

members of the class of 2009

I am honored and humbled to stand here on behalf of the class of 2009 of Sawyer Business School.

My task today is to use my story as a way of expressing for all of the class of 2009 what graduate work in the Sawyer business School has given us,  My first lesson may seem very basic to others, but it was powerful for me.   To really learn, I have to “practice,“ The real world does not always go according to the test book. The great leader is not the one who only knows management theories.  I have some metaphors to help summarize for me “It is impossible become an excellent doctor without actually doing surgeries”. On my first day at Suffolk, one of my professors  told us, “The book is just a key to the door .  When you walk in the room, you don’t need the key anymore.” In China. theory is the end; the students’ goal is to learn the theory.  Students must get the theory right and are afraid to make mistakes. So, like many of my Chinese peers at the very beginning I was quiet and shy in the class for fear of making a mistake.. Later on I grew to realize that in the business school nobody will judge me poorly when I made mistakes. I realized that when I learn something new for example, using the new accounting knowledge, mistakes can’t be avoided. Day by day, I tried to practice and to accept the mistakes that go with practice: From trying out new vocabulary words I’d heard, to the new software I am using at work.

Some people asked me about my favorite class in Suffolk. There is a funny story of why I love class risk management very much. By the end of my second semester I got an interview opportunity with America Civil Liberties Union for an accounting intern. On the interview day, I remembered Prof Kraten’s advice about applying risk management to our personal lives,  ““risk is everywhere in life. You have to prepare for it in unexpected places.” Wouldn’t you know, I missed the bus that morning but luckily I had my risk management plan handy -- Call a cab to make me on time. Guess what? I got the job and still work with them.

I have a lot of memories related not only SuffolkUniversitybut also my new adventure of United States of America. My first presentation in English was a disaster. I thought I had prepared enough and was pretty confident. But many classmates told me later that they couldn’t understand me completely. The first thanksgiving I was in DC to visit my friend’s family. I had my first pumpkin pie (which by the way, I liked). The last year I watched the Boston marathon and was surprised by the spectators’ passionate cheering. But today I have to leave. I want to take everything here with me. But I figured out recently the only thing I can take with is my memory.

 

I definitely take with me the memories of the 73 Tremont street. The days I worked at graduate admission office were the days with my truly happiness. My favorite part is giving people the campus tour. I told people how I enjoyed my life in Boston. Where is the greatest sandwich restaurant? I have to mention the Center of international education, too, My first Chinese New Year was with you at a tradition Chinese lunch. All the authentic food and performances made me feel at home.

 

I take my memories with me of my classmates and co-workers. John who works at graduate admission office always has the brightest smile on the earth. I still remember before the deadline of my risk management class all my group members sitting on the floor of the library to go over our presentation trying to make it more creative.

But it is about time to finish this speech as it is time to finish our graduate studies.   A time not say good bye but to say thank you. Thank you my parents who are sitting over there. Without your support I couldn’t become the person I am now. Thank you all my professors. You gave me that key to the door of my career. Thank you all my friends, you helped me know more about this country and let me share so many special moments with you. Thank you SuffolkUniversity. You opened my mind and gave me a whole new world.  And thank you United States of America.

Thank you!

Comments

[Ning]

hi, Kelly:

I'm a chinese student enroll this fall semester of MSA, would like to have a talk with you at your earliest convenience if you could give me some advice. Your MSN? or other IM tools QQ? melody-nn@hotmail.com is my MSN account. ^_^