The one who asked everyone to introduce themselves… in 3 languages.
THE ONE WHO ASKED EVERYONE TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES… IN 3 LANGUAGES.
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Remember that first day? The palpable hum of anticipation, the quiet pride mixed with a healthy dose of imposter syndrome. We’d all arrived, a mosaic of ambition and diverse backgrounds, ready to dive into the hallowed halls of advanced learning. Then came that professor. Not the one with the legendary research, nor the one known for their dry wit, but the one who, with an almost mischievous glint, declared: “Alright, everyone. Let’s go around. Name, major, and introduce yourself in three languages.”
A collective intake of breath. This wasn't just a quirky icebreaker; it was an immediate, audacious dive into the deep end, quintessential to our unique academic landscape. Some of us stumbled, fumbling for forgotten high school French or a phrase from a summer spent abroad. Others, effortlessly, transitioned from English to Mandarin to Spanish, a testament to their truly global upbringing. It wasn’t about showing off; it was about stretching, about reaching, about the unexpected demand for a capacity we didn't always realize we possessed.
That moment, initially a jolt, became a defining memory. It wasn’t just an introduction; it was a testament to the rich tapestry of minds gathered in that room, a gentle, yet firm, reminder that our education here would constantly challenge our perceived limits. It taught us, from day one, to embrace the discomfort of new demands, to celebrate the unexpected strengths of our peers, and to understand that true learning often begins where our comfort zone ends. It was, after all, just the beginning.
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