国际生代表马修：Embarking on a Global Journey at Tsinghua SIGS

Embarking on a Global Journey at Tsinghua SIGS

——在清华大学深圳国际研究生院 2024级研究生开学典礼上的发言

2024级物流工程与管理专业硕士生 马修（Ka petanios Matthaios）

Dear Professors, Teachers, Parents, and Fellow Students,

大家好！

尊敬的老师们，亲爱的同学们，大家好！我是来自希腊的马修。今天，我非常高兴能够在这里代表所有新入学的国际学生。能作为国际生的代表对我来说是一种莫大的荣幸，我衷心感谢清华SIGS给予我的这个机会。

Hello everyone! My name is Kapetanios Matthaios, and I come from Athens, Greece. I am thrilled to stand here today as a representative of all the new international students. It is a great honor for me to represent my fellow students, and I want to sincerely thank Tsinghua SIGS for giving me this opportunity to speak on behalf of such a talented and diverse group.

First of all, I would like to congratulate every student who has managed to be here. For most of us, it has been a dream come true to stand here.

Looking around at all of you today, I can't help but feel a deep sense of pride and joy. We have all traveled different paths, crossed oceans and continents, and overcome countless challenges to be here. Each one of us carries with us the stories of our families, our friends, and our communities back home. And now, we are here, together, ready to start this new chapter of our lives.

We, as international students, may face certain challenges, as we have left our home countries to come here to China. This brings up an interesting question: why did we choose China, and more specifically, Tsinghua SIGS, for our studies?

For me, the decision to study in China was shaped by my passion for the Chinese language and culture. I have been studying Chinese for several years at the Confucius Institute and had the privilege of working at HUAWEI for the past two years. Being part of such a prestigious company was an unforgettable experience that offered me immense learning and growth opportunities. I am deeply grateful to HUAWEI for the chance to contribute to and learn from a leading global enterprise.This experience taught me that the choices we make today can shape our future in ways we never expect. Here at Tsinghua, we have the opportunity to make similar choices—choices that will open doors to new opportunities, broaden our perspectives, and equip us with the skills to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

In a broader sense, as foreign students in China, we have the unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in Chinese culture and connect with the people of this vibrant nation. China is currently the fastest-developing country in the world, making it an incredible place to witness and be a part of global progress and innovation.

As for the university, it is an absolute privilege to study at Tsinghua University, not only the best in China but also one of the top universities globally. Tsinghua is often regarded as the most prestigious and elite university in China. I have even heard some of my Chinese friends say that Tsinghua is not for "ordinary" people. We are truly grateful to the university for granting us this life-changing opportunity.

Upon arriving in China, I am filled with excitement about the new academic journey ahead. I believe that all of us will gain unforgettable experiences during our time here. We are all eager to meet incredible people from around the world who share similar dreams while expanding our knowledge and taking the next steps in our careers.

One of the things I am most excited about is the chance to explore new ideas and perspectives. Tsinghua SIGS brings together people from all over the world, and this diversity is a gift. Each of us comes from different corners of the world, bringing with us our unique backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This diversity enriches our academic environment and allows us to learn not only from our professors but also from each other. We all bring something unique to the table, and I believe that by sharing our knowledge and experiences, we will help each other grow in ways we couldn’t have done alone.

As we stand at the threshold of this new journey, it is important to recognize that our time here is not just about acquiring knowledge. It is about shaping ourselves into global citizens who are aware of the interconnectedness of our world. We are now witnessing the big challenges of our time, such as climate change, global health, and technological advancements, require solutions that cross traditional boundaries and can’t be solved by sticking to the old ways. Tsinghua's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across different fields is something that deeply resonates with me. I am confident that this environment will enable us to develop the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to the global community.

Finally, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all the students. I sincerely hope that your academic years here will be the best years of your life. Thank you all !

来源|党政办

编辑/排版|戴雨静

审核|陈超群