走出门，我们是China的代言人。我们到底为什么留学？| 马里兰大学中国留学生毕业演讲后

毕业典礼，是人生非常重要的事情。因为毕业典礼不仅是自己完成学业的见证，更是迈向人生下一步的历程。

在毕业典礼上，我们往往是感恩的，谢谢父母为我们提供良好的教育条件，谢谢学校和导师们的培育与教授，更要谢谢自己，因为我们自己的努力和坚持，让我们在这条艰苦的留学路上没有放弃。

在毕业典礼上，我们也是坚定的，不少留学生在出国之前一定被长辈给予了期望，希望我们在学成后能为小社会、大家庭做出贡献，展现自己的价值。每个人毕业后的选择都不同，自己有很多学长学姐回国后加入了国家的千人计划等，用自己所知为国家贡献自己的力量。但是无论怎么选择，我们都希望能用自己的力量回馈祖国。

每年，各个学校的毕业典礼都尤其引人关注。今日，一条关于中国留学生在马里兰大学的毕业演讲的消息刷爆了朋友圈。

在演讲中，她说到自己来自中国的一个城市，每天需要带着口罩生活。选择来到马里兰大学，是因为这里的“fresh air”（新鲜的空气）。这里的“fresh air”在后面做了进一步的引申：“Freedom is oxygen. Freedom is passion. Freedom is love.”“Fresh air”在她的演讲中意指为“freedom”，即自由的双关语。

双关语用的固然妙，但是在毕业典礼这样的场合，通过“不真实”的言论来描述国内的环境，不禁让人有种“外国的月亮比较圆”的感觉。

最让人心寒的是，这样的言论不仅是加深了其他国家对中国的刻板印象，更是给国家的整体形象带来了不良的影响。

👇在这篇演讲中，她是这样说的：

https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=o0505azwq1j&width=500&height=375&auto=0

👇演讲原文：

Good afternoon, faculty, students, parents and friends.

I am truly honored and grateful to speak at the commencement for the University of Maryland, Class of 2017.

People often ask me: Why did you come to the University of Maryland?

I always answer: Fresh air.

Five years ago, as I step off the plane from China, and left the terminal at Dallas Airport. I was ready to put on one of my five face masks, but when I took my first breath of American air. I put my mask away.

The air was so sweet and fresh, and oddly luxurious.

I was surprised by this. I grew up in a city in China, where I had to wear a face mask every time I went outside, otherwise, I might get sick.

However, the moment I inhaled and exhaled outside the airport.

I felt free.

No more fog on my glasses, no more difficult breathing, no more suppression.

Every breath was a delight. As I stand here today, I cannot help, but recall that feeling of freedom.

At the University of Maryland, I assume feel another kind of fresh air for which I will be forever grateful — the fresh air of free speech.

Before I came to United States, I learned in history class about the Declaration of Independence, but these words had no meaning to me — Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.

I was merely memorizing the words to get good grades.

These words sounded so strange, so abstract and so foreign to me, until I came to University of Maryland.

I have leaned the right to freely express oneself is sacred in American.

Each day in Maryland, I was encouraged to express my opinions on controversial issues.

I could challenge a statement made by my instructor. I could even rate my professors online.

But nothing prepared me for the culture shock I experienced when I watched a university production of the play — Twilight: Los Angeles.

Twilight is a play by Anna Deavere Smith about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.

The riots followed acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the videotaped arrest and beating of Rodney King.

For six days, the city was in chaos as citizens took to the streets.

In Twilight, the student actors were openly talking about racism, sexism and politics.

I was shocked, I never saw such topic could be discussed openly.

The play was my first taste of political storytelling, one that makes the audience think critically.

I have always had a burning desire to tell these kinds of stories, but I was convinced that only authorities on the narrative, only authorities could define the truth.

However, the opportunity to immerse myself in the diverse community at the University of Maryland exposed me to various, many different perspectives on truth.

I soon realized that here I have the opportunity to speak freely.

My voice matters.

Your voice matters.

Our voices matter.

Civil engagement is not a task just for politicians. I have witnessed this when I saw my fellow students marching in Washington DC, voting in the presidential election and raising money for support various causes.

I have seen that everyone has a right to participate and advocate for change.

I used to believe that one individual participation could not make a difference, but here we are, United Terps.

Together, we can push our society to be more just open and peaceful.

Class of 2017, we are graduating from a university that embraces a liberal arts education that nurtures us to think critically, and also to care and feel for humanity.

We are equipped with the knowledge of various disciplines and we are ready to face to the challenges of our society.

Some of us may go to graduate school, some us may step into professions and some of us may begin a journey of exploration.

But no matter what we do, remember, democracy and free speech should not be taken for granted.

Democracy and freedom are the fresh air that is worth fighting for.

Freedom is oxygen. Freedom is passion. Freedom is love.

And as a French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre once said: freedom is a choice, our future is dependent on the choices we make today and tomorrow.

We are all playwrights of the next chapters of our lives. Together, we right the human history.

My friends, enjoy the fresh air and never let it go.

Thank you.

（原文稿件与视频来源：腾讯视频）

为中国代言。

我曾想过如果我被选为学生代表，我会讲一些什么？我想，除了在异国自己处理一切的经历和不断在成长的内心之外，就是骄傲“我是中国人”吧？因为有着不同的语言基础和文化背景，我会很愿意和他人分享我所知中国的一切。

在选修的东亚文化的课程上，同学们感受着中国文化遗产体现出的悠久历史，惊叹于中华文化的源远流长与博大精深。

在各种商科课程中，“Alibaba”这个单词不断地出现，中国市场也成为了美国课程上的案例分析。在修供应链管理课程的时候，教授专门强调了中国物流网处理快递与信件的数字与速度。

在公共政策课上，谈到国际关系与政策的时候，我会和大家分享“一带一路”、亚投行等一系列我国倡导的带动其他国家共同发展的举措。这一刻我是骄傲的，因为我们承担起了大国的责任，展现出了大国的情怀。

在数学课上...中国学生是被抱大腿的...

学校的就业中心（Career Center）也举办了越来越多去中国参观企业与工程的项目，让更多的美国同学和教职人员到中国学习。

走出门，我们是“China”的代言人，我骄傲我是中国人。对于留学来说，也因为我们是中国人，我们才带给了周边人和社区，更多的“多样性”和“可能性”。我们创造的是更美好的结果与世界。

我们为什么留学？

中国从历史中走来，一步步走到今天的地位是无数前辈努力、奋斗的结果。中国国力在不断强大，但也有着显著的问题，这都是不可否认的。无论是国家还是个人，我们认为提升自己的能力，做真实的自己，才能在国内、国际获得更多的话语权。也只有让自己变得强大，才能帮助解决国内环境等问题，对社会做出贡献。

许多网友分享了同一段话，那是《北洋水师》里的一句台词，代表百年前中国留学生的抱负，值得与更多人分享 ：此去西洋，深知中国自强之计，舍此无所他求；背负国家之未来，取尽洋人之科学，赴七万里长途，别祖国父母之邦，奋然无悔。

* 小编此文无批判之意，只是想与大家分享，我们出国的初衷、对待问题的看法与祖国对我们的期盼。此次事情的主人公也发表了致歉声明：我深爱自己的祖国和家乡，为国家的繁荣发展深感自豪，也希望今后用自己在国外的所学弘扬中国文化，为国家做积极贡献。

讨论：我们为什么留学？

您可以在文章后留下您的答案与看法与我们一起讨论。

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