Yesterday, we attended the graduation ceremony at our university. As we walked onto the front plaza, we found it interesting that they were playing this song: GraduationIntroMusic
This was the first time that the school chose to hold a single graduation ceremony for all departments. There were chairs for several thousand students in front of the school, but none for visitors. A graduation ceremony in China is different from one in the west – very few parents or friends will come to watch.
With such a large group of students, they chose not to have individuals cross the stage and receive diplomas. Instead, one representative received a diploma for each department. They also chose another dramatic piece of background music to play during a presentation of awards to students: Graduation
If you are old enough, you will recognize the theme from “Bonanza,” an old TV western. And when you look across the sea of several thousand graduates, it might remind you of the Nevada fields spreading out from the Ponderosa ranch (with a bit of imagination!).
Graduation provides a final opportunity to talk with many of our friends who are moving on:
Our “smile muscles” were pretty tired after taking hundreds of photos with our students:
Since there are only a few foreign teachers at our school, we also got pulled into random group shots with kids we’ve never met:
Yes, very interesting music. 🙂
that last picture is hilarious.
Only in China! The music! So like China! Stirs up old memories of similar incidents.
I agree with tim. hahahah!
I look pretty silly stooped over, but somehow, you feel that you have to do something when everyone is a foot shorter…