Arriving into the first floor of the Common Classes building where the graduation ceremony was being held I was overwhelmed by the site I saw. The room was filled with all my classmates all dressed in the black graduation gowns, caps and orange sashes and of course their proud family and friends. I was immediately greeted by close friends and classmates who then eagerly introduced me to their respective family members. I was also represented by my close friend who I had met in my initial year in Taiwan. A hush fell over the humid room as the small ceremony began. Introductions were made and speeches were said by the head of department and teachers. Truth be told half of it passed in a blur because of my excitement and I can hardly remember what was said. After which the lights were dimed and a short film was shown. It struck a chord because it was the film I had seen on the Civil Engineering department website when I was initially trying to apply. It seem quite fitting to this occasion, an inspirational film to show us what we could become before we entered and now to remind us how far we have come and what we can do out there in the world. After that film was over the real show begun they showed a short film in which I was proud to have helped in the creation about our lives spent within the walls Tai Da and within the civil department. A wave of nostalgia swept over me as I remembered my time spent here and how quickly it seemed to have passed by. The friends I have made, the things I have experienced and the life I have lived. And now was the time to take the final step from a student to a university graduate. As they called the names and my time drew near, I walked on stage and was greeted by the smiling face of one of my favorite professors (Rex), at that moment all anxiety washed away. I could hear in the crowd my classmates shouting my name and cheering me on giving me courage. I lowered my head and he shifted the tassel of my cap from right to left, handed me the certificate and congratulated me with encouraging words and a handshake as my friends captured every moment with their cameras. After the ceremony we moved outside to take our final photos with the entire department. As we threw our hats up in the air I felt such a joy being surrounded by such a great group of people, the graduating class of 2013.
Dianka John (戴安卡)
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The day had finally arrived and the nervous energy was finally setting in. After four years of hard work and struggle I was taking that final step of graduating. Although my parents weren’t here to celebrate this momentous time with me, I know there were there in spirit. I had already spoken to them the night before and they were so proud and excited over my achievements.