On May 22, 2013, a farewell ceremony was held for the 42 students from Harbin Normal University in China who had spent 10 months on an exchange program at Universidad ORT Uruguay. They were the first cohort of the joint program between the two universities, under which students in the Spanish Language Bachelor’s program at Harbin Normal University spend approximately one year in Uruguay.
The event, organized by the International Department, took place in the auditorium of the School of Business and Social Sciences. In attendance were university officials, the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Uruguay, Mr. Kou Zegang, the students from Harbin, some of the students’ mentors (students who helped them adjust to life in Uruguay), and faculty members.
“It was an experience that, I suppose, they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” began María Azpiroz, M.A., Coordinator of the Harbin Project. “I always say that the best way to get a glimpse of the immense richness of a culture is to buy a plane ticket.”
“Wherever you are, I hope you make the most of this experience—both for your professional careers and for your personal lives,” Azpiroz added. “And if you ever want to come to Uruguay, remember that you have a family here, a home, and we’ll always be waiting for you.”
“I have to thank you all. I want to thank you for your hard work, for the diligence with which you studied, and for the good humor with which you faced the challenges and helped us develop the program,” said Julio Fernández, Dean of Academic Development. “We hope you have learned Spanish, which was the goal you came here to achieve, and that you have matured as people and as students, and that you will take the knowledge you have gained in Uruguay back to your university, your families, and your country.”
“The impact of your visit goes beyond the academic realm. The cultural exchange we’ve had with you is one of the most significant between our two countries,” Fernández said. “I would also like to extend a special thank you to the mentors for all their effort and the positive energy with which they accompanied the students and helped them enjoy their stay here; to the professors, who led the academic work and supported them closely in every way they could; to all the university administrators; and to my colleagues who helped ensure the program ran smoothly.”
“Culture is the bridge between countries,” Fernández said, concluding,“I ask you to be ambassadors for Uruguay and to give your best in everything you do.”
For his part, Mr. Kou Zegang noted that now, after spending some time living abroad, far from their families, the students have become more independent, and he asked them to continue being as responsible as they were this year when they return to their home country.
Then two students, Alicia and Lucía (they all have Spanish names), speaking on behalf of the group, said, “Before coming here, Uruguay was a country we knew nothing about. Now we know it’s a very beautiful and peaceful country, and that its educational standards are very high, ” and they added: “We hope the friendship between China and Uruguay lasts forever. Today’s farewell is for an even better reunion tomorrow.”
Finally, the students were treated to a surprise: a video in which their teachers shared their experiences from the past year, wished them well, and reminded them that they will always be welcome.