Outstanding M.A. Student Mitsuhiro Nakano

Commencement Speech

First of all, I would like to welcome all of the graduating students, faculties, families and friends to this commencement.  This day will be one of the most memorable days in our life.  We will graduate from Cal State Fullerton with pride today.  And I would also like to express my gratitude toward the faculty for giving me this great opportunity, allowing me to speak to everybody and share this unforgettable moment with all of you.

I was born and raised in Tokyo, graduated high school there and by the time I had decided to come here to study anthropology, was 20 years old.  I started the American Language Program to learn English at Cal State Fullerton and became a freshman two months later.  University life for international students is not so easy, and I had to always spend more time reading books and writing papers than native English speaking students.  Especially in anthropology classes, reading assignments and term papers were always beyond my ability.  But those anthropology classes always brought me new interests, and that was what kept me going.  It was natural for me to decide to pursue Anthropology at the graduate school, because when I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology, I still had many unanswered questions I wanted to uncover and research.   

Classes in graduate school were even more challenging.  Last week I finished my Thesis, passed my defense, and finished my graduate school experience all together. 

Writing the thesis was a very long and hard process for me, and without my friends’, faculties’ and girlfriend’s support and encouragement, I would not have been able to complete it.  I truly appreciate everyone’s devoted help.  I also would like to thank my parents who have been supporting me while I have been studying abroad for all this time.  They have helped me in many ways even though they were in Japan, and have always been there for me, and today they are here to congratulate me. 

Please forgive me for saying this in Japanese, but my parents do not comprehend English.

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Thank you everyone and congratulations to all graduating friends.