Distinguished officials and faculty, dear students,

Good morning. I’m Wu Ruilong from Venezuela in South America. I once delivered the commencement talk on behalf of international undergraduates of Tianjin University in June of 2018. So, it’s my great honor to be here on such a memorable and solemn occasion for the second time in 2022 and now I have completed my master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Education from the School of International Education. Therefore the theme of my speech today is “thanks”.

First of all, my thanks go to Tianjin University for welcoming us, international students from all over the world with open arms. In addition to providing an enabling environment for scientific research and learning, Tianjin University spares no effort to cultivate us into global talents who “understand China, know Tianjin and love Tianjin University” and help us realize our goals and dreams step by step. In the interview for admission to the master program of Tianjin University three years ago, I told the professors that I chose my major according to my career planning: to be a “down to earth” teacher of Spanish. From then on, I bear my original aspiration in mind and with unremitting efforts, I have successfully joined the College of Foreign Languages of Nankai University, our brotherly neighbor, to teach Spanish there. I will continue to make my own contribution to the Spanish education in China.

Secondly, I would like to thank China and Tianjin Municipal People’s Government. The cultural exchange program jointly organized by the Chinese government and Venezuela has given us the opportunity to study here. I came to China in 2015 as an international student and Tianjin has become my second hometown since then. In response to Omicron’s raid on Tianjin at the beginning of this year, the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government took rapid and effective measures to safeguard the health and safety of all residents. In the battle against the epidemic, I felt the care from the government and Tianjin University, which gave me the warmth of “home”. As residents in the city of Tianjin, I felt international students also played our part in the prevention and control of the epidemic. Over the past six months, the pet phrase of Tianjin people has changed from “Have you had your meal?” to “Have you had a NAT?” It is the optimism of the people that makes Tianjin unconquerable amid the post-Covid era.

Then, I would also like to say “thank you” to myself who worked really hard at Tianjin University. As a resident of Tianjin, I have deep love for the city and have been invited to publicize the “Tianjin Pancake” and “Tianjin Rail Transit Culture” five times by local media. As a graduate student of Tianjin University, I honor the motto of “seeking truth form facts” in the pursuit of innovation and went to Lanzhou, Gansu Province to participate in International Cultural Expo and research on intangible cultural heritage with my supervisor, Professor Ma Zhiyao. As a member of the cadre of international students, I have joined in a series of activities of “Understanding China” at Tianjin University for many times and once went to Dangchang, Gansu Province for field survey. I witnessed the great achievements of China’s poverty alleviation with my own eyes and learned more about the Chinese civilization with my personal experience.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my classmates and teachers. Despite the fact that we come from different cultures and speak different languages, we have one thing in common: curiosity. Because of our curiosity about knowledge, we have transcended national borders and become close friends and “comrade-in-arms” as we moved together into uncharted territory of learning. It was with your company that I had a happy and carefree time here. As an old Chinese saying goes, “Though born a long distance apart, souls which are one shall meet.” I will cherish our friendship as invaluable treasures of my life. Now please allow me to once again express, on behalf of the international students, our heartfelt thanks to Tianjin University and School of International Education for providing us the opportunity to meet the most caring and respected people in the world - the teachers of Tianjin University. A thousand words of gratitude make one sentence: “Thank you for all your help.”

Today, our journey on the train of Tianjin University is coming to an end. Dear friends, let’s say our farewells in a unique way. Let’s say to our alma mater，our lovely teachers and schoolmates: “Tianjin University, I love you!”

Thank you!

By: Li Xiang

Editor: Qin Mian