Honestly, I can’t believe I am giving a speech and about to leave England.
My days in this school passed so quickly.
During all those years, I focused on my English and ended up with a high score in English certification and getting enrollment from the university I really wanted to go. Behind those achievements, there are many people I would like to express my gratitude. In fact, I couldn’t thank enough how they have supported me. One teacher taught me at my speed so that I could understand better although it took a long time. Another teacher helped finding my weak point together. My EC and private lesson teachers tried fulfilling what I wanted to achieve. It was not only teachers who have aided me. There were always cleaning ladies and staff who encouraged me to speak in English in a small time.
As you know I left this school once to challenge my English outside the Japanese community. To my surprise, despite the hard work, my English was not enough to keep up with native people in an American school.
I still remember how scary it was to hear `What?’ from my classmates. It didn’t sound nice. I was often vexed with my optimistic decision to enter the American school. Nevertheless, I am sure every Tom, Dick and Harry feel same way, Rikkyo school taught me about patience really well so I was able to reach my current level. What is more, after I left England, my best British friend and my host family never stopped staying in contact with me. Looking at those letters from them, I couldn’t just give up and so I returned to this school. Literally, they saved my life. They are like a trigger to me. To tell the truth, I have become more ambitious since the day we met.
In the last part of my speech, I want to say to all of you something. If you want to do something, you are already in a good environment although it is hard to see. It is up to you. The more you wish, the more you get your help as long as you are a student. Once we step out from our protection, such as school, there is a global competition waiting for us and it is a cruel world. Basically nobody waits for you. Somebody aims to defeat you. Perhaps you are the one who needs to adjust to the environment and set your wheels in motion. So Safe Journey is my last word to leave.
