In the true spirit of being an ang-moh 派 of 南大中文系, I deliberated about it, and finally decided that I wanted to write my little article in English. This English article is a reflection of my last (yet wonderful) four years in NTU, and is also a reminder of where I had first started out.
I still remember stepping into the Division of Chinese Orientation back in 2007. Having come from English schools, I was apprehensive as I did not know anyone in this course, and neither did I think I would be able to mix with the people there. A true blue ang-moh 派, it took me a lot of courage to even decide to attend the Orientation, having been constantly weighed down with fears that I would not fit in, and that I would be ostracized for being the "weird one".
Yet as time passed, I had come to appreciate the beauty of being a Chinese major. From the warmth received from my course-mates, to the care and concern of our teachers, I do not regret my initial decision to come to the Chinese Division. My lovely course-mates accepted me with open-hearts (despite the seemingly-prevalent language barrier), helping me out in class, with my work, and making me feel such a sense of belonging that I never would have thought possible. My amazing teachers also did not push me aside. Instead, they constantly gave me encouragement for my efforts, giving me credit whenever due. Despite my initial worry about whether I could actually graduate (I mean, that I would actually be able to pass all those horribly difficult Category A modules), all I can say at the end of this journey..........I SURVIVED!!!! :))
To all my wonderful friends these past four years, THANK YOU!!! :)) Without all your help with proof-reading my assignments, reminding me of tests and deadlines, and all that nagging at me to go for class...........I'm pretty sure I would not have survived these four years. You all have been a true pillar of strength for me, and also have been my little guardian angels along the way! 爱死你们了!!!!!! :))
To all my amazingly (and not to mention benevolent) Professors, here is also a big THANK YOU to you!!! :)) Your care and concern (not to mention help and guidance) have given me a deeper understanding of the Chinese Language and Culture as a whole...and I have come to love all this even more! I simply love how we are allowed to call you “老师”, instead of those old and stuffy salutations like "Professor" or "Sir/Madam"! :P
To 老 大! :) Even though we started out laughing at my ridiculous report titles, I truly have seen myself grow under your tutelage. The initially-daunting Category A modules had become such a joy with you! :) Thank you for always giving me a chance to grow during the course of module, and thank you for always being such an encouragement all this time. Despite my failings in many areas, you always saw the improvements that I have made, and you judged and graded us accordingly and fairly. It has been really fantastic having you as my "老大" these four years! :)
To 刘老师, thank you also for all your help all these years! If not for you, I would not have had a better gauge as to how to approach writing academic papers. Thank you also for your openness with us all this time, sharing with us your insights, and even giving us advice as you would give your own children. It has always been a joy being part of your classes, and I have definitely developed an interest in political matters through my interactions with you! :)
Finally, to 蓝 老师, thank you so much for all your help, especially for my Final Year Project! Thank you for ever putting up with me and my English-ness, for always being so supportive of new ideas, and for always being there for me during this year! Without all your help and encouragement, I think that I would probably have lost hope, and given up on my paper. Thank you for being such an awesome Professor to me! :)
As we come to the end of your time at NTU, I guess we are always reminded that,
“天下无有不散筵席，就合上一千年，少不得有个分开日子。”(明·冯梦龙《醒世恒言》第35卷)
It has been an awesome four years, and here's me signing up, with my best wishes to all of us in our future endeavors! :) Adios~~
Lots of Love,
Isis, 许婉晶
No comments:
Post a Comment