As we are wrapping up our semester, we are also sending off our lovely seniors. During the first week of May, Amherst hosted many affinity groups’ graduation and the Senior Assembly. As you may have seen in my previous posts, the international student group at Amherst is very supportive and tight-knit. One of my favorite spots to hang out throughout the week is CISE (Center for International Student Engagement). I would always grab a box of grab-n-go at Keefe’s and eat at CISE with other international friends. I made so many friends across class levels, including some seniors.
On June 7th, I attended the “Be:long” International Student Graduation. Up first is our beloved David Ko, the director of CISE. He is such a good speaker. He recalled the difficult time of maintaining social distancing and mask-wearing on campus. Students had to move their luggage all the way from Alumni House to the first-year quad, climbing up the hill and panting in their masks. COVID could not stop people from socializing with each other. David recalled shouting, “Wear your masks after you finish eating pizzas!” to the students talking with each other on the quad. As classes started, David mentioned one thing that made him feel reassured that the international students are fitting in: the number of curse words in a sentence. (laughter) Although I’m not graduating, I definitely resonate with this change!
After David, we had the faculty speaker and the sash ceremony. After the sash ceremony, Josephine Olugbami ’25, as the senior speaker, walked up stage and delivered her speech. She started with a phrase her grandmother told her. She mentioned all the friends she made here who supported her along the way, the awkwardness of being the only person of color and of an accent in the class, and the pride she had when she got her first internship. In particular, she stressed that as international students, we should not feel less empowered, less included, or less belonging. Because we already belong. We are the treasures of the college, bringing in more diverse perspectives and experiences that many domestic students and professors could not have imagined.
I am very moved by Josephine’s speech. As a first-year student, I am still struggling to find my place at Amherst. I am still exploring what I am interested in, what I can and want to contribute in the future. But I feel reassured by Josephine’s words. Traveling across the ocean and several continents to study here is already an achievement. I should not feel disadvantaged or limited as an international student, but to take my time, have genuine relationships with people, and flourish.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Wish you all the best!