Jovana Milanovska
1/7/17
Graduation Speech
Dear Graduates, Dear Parents and Relatives, Dear Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends-good morning and welcome! Thank you all for being here today to celebrate together this important event of our lives-the graduation. Today wraps up the amazing two years’ experience we had here in Budapest, but at the same time traces our way toward new life experiences.
Personally, I am honored and proud to have the chance to represent my graduating class by giving this farewell speech. Firstly, I want to say congratulations to all the graduating students for the success achieved. When we started our Master studies, we all had a goal: to successfully finish it, to get our diplomas, to increase our competencies and qualifications. The goal is now fulfilled! This is very important because in today’s global world, higher education plays a greater role in society more than ever! By getting our Master degree, we are ready to play an important role in our societies. So, be proud-you did something big! You invested in yourselves, you armed yourselves with knowledge. And it is not only the theoretical knowledge gained during the studies. It is also about the knowledge gained from living happily in a foreign country, communicating and interacting with people from different nationalities and cultures, discovering new points of view and new perspectives of life. This is what made us expand our horizons and to grow our personalities. This all makes our time as Master students in Budapest an unforgettable experience.
If I think about what made my stay in Budapest so special, I would definitely say that it was about all the new people who I met here. Especially, it would not have been the same without my wonderful classmates. We were the small group of Marketing students that everyone admired for being so united, cohesive and friendly. Let me present them to the ones who don’t know them: Mariam, Lena, Cihan, Utku, Eylul, Monica, Rahman, Janos, Antonio, Frank and Cannie. Some of them are not present here today, but they are celebrating with us in their hearts.
Each one of these people is different and unique, everyone with their own personality, special in his/her own way. We spent together many happy moments. We studied, partied, travelled together; We celebrated every small success and milestone during our studies; we had our international dinners on a regular basis. We even had surprises when some people appeared when no one expected them. This is how we created memories and stories to remember for our whole lives. We created bonds and friendships for a lifetime. We have become a family! Thank you guys for being so open minded and warm hearted, for sharing your friendship and love!
And thank you Corvinus for bringing us all together!
I want to finish this speech by mentioning one famous graduation speech we heard just recently-the one of Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard. He talked about that sense that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, that we are needed, that we have something better ahead to work for. He called this a purpose and said that this purpose is what creates true happiness. I strongly believe this is true.
Therefore, I wish you all a lot of luck in fulfilling the purpose of your lives. Being here already sets a good start for that path, or confirms that we are on the right track. So, keep moving forward, use all the opportunities that life brings, face all the challenges and always work hard to achieve your goals! Because success stories don’t just happen, they are made! Good luck in making your life a success story!
Thank you!