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In Sri Lanka, it seems that graduation parties are a bigger deal than graduation ceremonies. From kindergarten to high school, there are 3 big tests that mark the turning points in students’ lives, and these parties coincide with them.
For graduating students, the parties are their first chance to be free from strict rules of school. That is why they are so liberating. The schools even hire DJs so the students can sing any songs they want. I can imagine just how splendid it must be, as each person wears their colorful, traditional sari, while enjoying food, song, and dance.
She told me kouhai would give presents to the graduating students they admired. Glad to hear that girls’ schools are the same no matter where you are in the world.
The latest trend is to have friends sign your uniform at the graduation ceremony. I think it’s a great idea to use uniforms, in which many memories were had, as a graduation album.
"Graduation is always bittersweet because I have the sadness of separating with my old friends and the excitement of meeting new ones," says Ishari. Her graduation ceremony in Japan is approaching September of this year. She told me with a smile that she is looking forward to wearing the red APU gown and tossing her cap.
I will also graduate this March. When I think of meeting everyone at APU and the fact that we will be going on different paths, as she says, it feels bittersweet. Sthoo∙thi ("thank you" in Sinhala) for being my friend for the past four years.
Koralalage Ishari Rangika M. Maldeniya (24)
Nickname: Ishari
College of Asia Pacific Studies 4th year
Sri Lanka
Published in the March 29, 2022 morning edition of Oita Godo Newspaper
Based on a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Oita Godo Newspaper, since January 2022, Student PR Assistants (SPA) have been contributing their interviews with international students to the life and culture section of the newspaper’s morning edition. SPA will introduce different cultures and the interesting topics they raise from an authentic, student perspective. These student writers take this opportunity to get the newspaper’s readership and students interested in the world as well as aim to improve their skills with the aid of professional editors.
I'm Hanako Koda, a lover of good food, and my goal for 2021 is to find my favorite cafe in Beppu! I'm writing this in a rambling, frank style... I'd love to hear what you think of it, and if you can tell me what's good in Beppu, I'd love to hear from you.
(Graduated in spring 2022)
Copyright (c) 2016 Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
