photo by Tim Fitzgerald

An Overseas Experience Focus of August 2010 Student Commencement Remarks

A native of Saratov, Russia, Anna Forman presented the following student commencement address Aug. 13, 2010, at the Civic Auditorium. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in International Studies with concentrations in International Management and Business, Global Strategic Studies and Area Studies of Eastern Europe and Russia.

Chancellor, distinguished guests, professors, fellow graduates, and friends whose lives have been touched by this university.

As I thought about what I could say that would be meaningful in these few moments together, I realized that if I share with you some of my experience I had here, this will allow you to see even more clearly what is good about this place we know as UNO.

When I first came here two years ago, I was worried about being different. Would language and cultural differences interfere with my education, with making friends? Would I fit in?

However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover how welcoming and warm-hearted people have been to me. I have heard people say that warmth and openness are special qualities of people in the Midwestern United States. I cannot tell if I would have had such an experience elsewhere, but I can assure you that it is indeed a very special quality of this place, and of you.

Also, I have greatly appreciated the personal accessibility, collegiality and even moments of friendship that I have discovered with my professors here at UNO. I was impressed with the democratic, egalitarian manner of instruction here, and the many opportunities I was given to work on collaborative group projects, to develop the valuable real world skills of building and working as a team.

Here at UNO, half way around the world from the place I had previously called home, I learned the importance of being aware of events taking place around the world. My International Studies program at UNO was an ideal place to broaden my vision of world events, and the daily news took on new significance to me, as I found opportunities to deepen my personal opinions and values.

Moreover, UNO has provided a unique international environment in which to interact with and learn about people from different places and different backgrounds, how to understand and be understood by others, how to accept different points of view, and to think beyond the boundaries of one culture or tradition. These skills are priceless.

Dear graduates, our professors have fostered our intellectual growth, and challenged us to become better and stronger people. We have learned to understand how things come to be as they are, and we have been encouraged to find opportunities to make them better.