Last Friday was the big day – graduation day. The Universidad de Valladolid holds the graduation ceremony for the students at a palace in the Plaza Santa Cruz. The Vice-Rector presided over the ceremony as students filled the room with their professors here at Valladolid as well of those from their respective schools. Each student was called up by the Director of the Center of Languages to receive their diploma.
Before the ceremony started the students met us at the Plaza and Amanda and I got a chance to meet one of the parents. She explained that she loves to have students with her because it is a great way to not only share her culture but also learn from others – and really this is a huge part of what this program is all about. She also said something that was repeated later by several different people. She explained that all the students who pass through the university leave their print here (“Dejen su huella”).
One of the directors of the program shared this sentiment and explained that we are an important part of the University and its vision. But perhaps the most eloquent was the Vice Rector who first explained the history of the University of Valladolid (over 800 years) and the room where the ceremony took place. Then he thanked the program directors and professors for confiding in the University for the preparation of our students. He then recognized the role that their professors here in Valladolid have both academically and personally as well as the importance of the host families. He continued to explain that he recognizes that the students only experience a small part of the culture that cannot represent the Spanish culture as a whole nor the entirety of the province of Castilla Leon but rather a start to something larger. He hoped that the students realized the importance of the history of the Valladolid not only as a university but also for the fact that it is the birth place of the Castilian language. Finally he hoped that the students would return and remember that they are now a part of the history of the University.
Here is a link to more photos from the ceremony:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlosbarrenauva
Here is a link to more photos from the ceremony:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlosbarrenauva
Personally we can say that we are happy to see our students excel and hope that their experience here – academically, culturally, and personally - will enrich their lives for many years to come.
¡FELICIDADES! Chicos – les deseamos mucha suerte en todo y esperamos que lo hayan pasado bien aquí en sus viajes en España. ¡Enhorabuena!
¡FELICIDADES! Chicos – les deseamos mucha suerte en todo y esperamos que lo hayan pasado bien aquí en sus viajes en España. ¡Enhorabuena!