My College Graduation Speech at UCSD | “We Can Be the One, and We Have to Be”

The script of my speech:

Before coming from China to the United States for college, I indulged myself in a lot of American TV shows. I became so engaged in those conflicts and topics that the characters were involved with as if I was living the life of those theatrical circumstances. When I arrived at UCSD as a freshman, I gladly found out how much the television shows had prepared me for the transition; however, at the same time, I realized that this new life in America was so much less dramatic than all those screams and fights in the reality TV show. The diversity and challenges that I was exposed to from TV — they turned real right in front of me.

It would be a challenge for me to feel included in a new environment, and Marshall welcomed me into the community. Res-life and the college spirit have embraced me and guided me toward becoming an “engaged citizen.” The biggest challenge for me, during my first quarter, was being exposed to all the questions and discussions in DOC (the year-long “Dimensions of Culture” program). I still remember how intimidated I was to speak up in the discussions on topics such as stereotypes, gender, races, and minorities — topics that domestic students seemed to be very familiar with. Now thinking about all those moments that I learned to just open my mouth and say something, to at least try to participate in the conversations, I have come so far to value how this whole process has increased my respect toward different…