Abd Gafur: School of Law Graduate Convocation Speaker 2018

Summary

In this heartfelt graduation speech, Abdul Ghafoor, an international student from Indonesia, reflects on his journey in the United States. He expresses gratitude for the warmth and hospitality he received upon arriving in Boston and acknowledges the support of his peers, professors, and loved ones. Drawing parallels between superheroes and the everyday heroes around him, he emphasizes the importance of global cooperation and the value of perseverance. Ghafoor encourages his fellow graduates to face the future with resilience and a sense of unity, while also honoring the contributions of those who supported them along the way.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is from Indonesia and reflects on their journey of studying in the U.S. for two years.
• 😀 The speaker shares the importance of small acts of kindness from strangers, especially in a new country like the U.S.
• 😀 The speaker expresses gratitude to their fellow LLM graduates, acknowledging the diversity and unique perspectives they brought to the experience.
• 😀 The speaker appreciates the lessons learned from friends in various fields, including IP law, tax law, and banking/financial law.
• 😀 The speaker admires their classmates' intelligence and eloquence, especially those in tax law, and acknowledges the challenges faced in rigorous courses.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of friendship and mutual support among classmates, particularly in the banking and financial law group.
• 😀 The speaker expresses gratitude to the faculty members, including Dean Marino Rory and Professor James Scott, for their guidance and positive impact.
• 😀 The speaker recalls a fun and nostalgic memory of imagining superheroes, like Spider-Man, in Boston, symbolizing the sense of wonder they felt.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the real 'heroes' in their life—family and loved ones—acknowledging their support and contributions.
• 😀 The speaker dedicates heartfelt thanks to their family, particularly their late father, and expresses hopes of making them proud.
• 😀 The speaker encourages their peers to make a positive impact on the world, emphasizing the power of international cooperation and global understanding for a better future.

Q & A

What is Abdul Ghafoor's background and where is he from?

Abdul Ghafoor is from Indonesia, a country where the sun shines year-round, and the people are known for their gratitude and warmth.

How did Abdul Ghafoor feel when he first arrived in America?

Abdul Ghafoor felt welcomed and appreciated, from the cab driver to the hotel receptionist, and was grateful for the friendly gestures he received as a foreigner.

What was Abdul Ghafoor's childhood perception of America?

Abdul Ghafoor viewed America as a land of wonder, largely influenced by Hollywood movies featuring superheroes like Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Magneto.

What was Abdul Ghafoor's experience studying in the U.S.?

He studied in the U.S. for two years and expressed gratitude for the diverse experiences, learning, and cultural exchange with fellow international students.

What did Abdul Ghafoor learn from interacting with his fellow graduates?

He realized that understanding comes not just from reading books, but from interacting with real people with real experiences, which helped dispel misconceptions he had about the world.

How did Abdul Ghafoor feel about the students in different fields like IP law and tax law?

He admired his peers, especially those in IP and tax law, for their intelligence, eloquence, and the way they presented their ideas clearly and persuasively.

What was Abdul Ghafoor's experience with tax law courses?

Abdul Ghafoor found tax law particularly challenging, with the subject nearly making him cry before the exam, and he expressed admiration for his classmates who excelled in this area.

Who did Abdul Ghafoor thank during his speech, and why?

He thanked various people, including his classmates in banking and financial law, professors, and deans, for their support, guidance, and positive influence during his academic journey.

What analogy did Abdul Ghafoor make about superheroes?

Abdul Ghafoor compared his friends, families, and mentors to superheroes, as they played crucial roles in supporting him and helping him achieve his success.

What was Abdul Ghafoor's message to the graduating class?

He encouraged his fellow graduates to be hopeful and to believe in the possibility of creating a better, more peaceful world through international cooperation and global understanding.

How did Abdul Ghafoor reflect on his time in Boston?

He reflected fondly on his time in Boston, appreciating both the city and its people, and mentioned that he would always remember Boston when seeing Orion's belt in the sky.