University Graduation 2014

This is the third graduation ceremony I have attended in Hokkaido (you can see my posts about the first two, here and here). Even though I don’t understand the speeches, I do enjoy seeing the graduates in kimonos and suits and seeing how happy everyone is.  Near the end of the ceremony, everyone stands and sings the Japanese version of Auld Lang Syne. Hearing that song always makes me cry. Another song sung at graduation is the church song Allelujah, sung in English. I don’t know if all schools do this, but our university has the tradition of throwing the graduates up in the air.  At 20 something, I’d have said how fun.  At 50 something, I lean toward how dangerous.  I’m getting older all the time!