My Speech for the TIU Opening Ceremony
by Takuya Kobayashi (TIUA 2005)
Good morning and welcome to TIU. First of all, I¡Çd like to congratulate you on your entrance to TIU. My name is Takuya Kobayashi. I¡Çm a junior, and my major is language communication. Today, I¡Çm going to offer you my congratulations as a representative of TIU as well as an alumnus of TIUA.
I¡Çm pretty sure that you have not only hopes and expectations but various worries and concerns in beginning a new life at college. So, I hope what I¡Çm going to suggest will be the advice that helps you in some way.
As you may imagine, TIU offers so many opportunities of international exchange for you. A large number of the international students who are mainly from China, Taiwan, Korea, America, Germany, and Sweden study at TIU, and there should be unlimited opportunities for you to communicate with them. Therefore, it will definitely be possible for you to deepen your cross-cultural exchange depending on how motivated you are.
I guess many of you already know that TIU sends many students to other countries such as America, China, Korea, and Sweden every year. If you are interested in studying abroad, I really suggest that you try it positively no matter which country you choose, so that you can considerably enrich your college life.
Next, let me talk a little bit about my college life at TIU. I participated in the TIUA program when I was a sophomore.¡¡TIUA¡¡is the abbreviation of Tokyo International University of America, which is located in Salem, Oregon, United States of America. TIUA is next to Willamette University which is TIU¡Çs sister school, and approximately 100 students participate in this program each year in order to learn English and experience a cross-cultural life. Joining TIUA was an absolutely precious experience for me because it was what made me mature the most in my life. I improved my English skills incredibly, and realized keenly a different culture. In addition, I have made innumerable memories by having met teachers and friends who I will cherish forever. That¡Çs why I cannot help but wish I could be a TIUA student once more. TIUA is the best program that I can recommend to you with complete confidence, and it is a place where you can be aware of your growth as well. If you are interested in TIUA, and have any questions about it, I¡Çm completely pleased to support you whenever you need my help.
To end my congratulations, I¡Çd like to say that you will have ample opportunities to grow enormously. But, it is entirely your choice, whether or not you will take advantage of them. Please do not waste such good chances and keep setting personal goals in order not to regret it afterward.
Finally, I wish the four years that you will spend at TIU will be the most fruitful and brilliant time of your life.
