Shagufa Habibi, MA'23: Thank you for choosing my speech and allowing me to be the Class of 2023 representative.

I promise every word I'm speaking tonight is from my heart.

If I'm asked what is the one lesson I have learned from life so far? I would say it is to never give up.

If I'm asked to define Brandeis in one word, I would say home.

Hello, everyone, and welcome to our home. To the class of 2023, tonight is our night.

Tonight is the night to be proud of ourselves and appreciative of our professors, faculty and staff, supportive donors, honorable families, and everyone who walked with us through this journey and was there for us whenever we needed them.

Tonight, we are grateful for having this home where we grew with each other as a family and learned from each other, from our professors who helped us enrich our knowledge and create our next chapter.

This moment is precious. Congratulations on this accomplishment.

After I left Afghanistan, my home country, to rescue myself from conservative culture and to pursue my education in Bangladesh and now in the United States, I was uncertain, frightened and lost.

I had no family, no job, no friends. All I had was the desire, hope, drive, and determination for education. And I had faith. I can create my own destiny.

When I applied to several universities, Brandeis International Business School was the first university to accept my application. I cannot find words to describe how much happiness I felt.

I still remember clearly the day I participated in my first day of orientation. It was during the time Afghanistan's government collapsed and the Taliban took over my city. My body was here, but my soul and my heart were crying and worried for my family, for my home and for my people.

Everyone who knew about the situation in Afghanistan, including professors and Dean Kathryn Graddy expressed their sympathy and very dear for me.

Since that day, I realized I have found here a second family, where I was able to grow my communication and professional skills through classes, student activities, events, group projects, career fairs, conferences, athletic events and other opportunities.

During those days, I would lose my energy, but definitely bagel days and pizza days were enough to reboot my motivation.

Last August, I asked my career advisor about the ALPFA conference which is offered by ALPFA, the Association of Latino Professionals For America, and through our ALPFA chapter at Brandeis. She advised me about the benefits of attending this event and encouraged me to use this opportunity to participate with confidence. I remember she was on leave at that time, but still dedicated her time and help me to improve my resume and practice my job interview skills with her.

During the conference, I met with so many companies and successfully secured my dream job. I am grateful.

I am grateful for all the help and opportunities I received at Brandeis to create my next chapter. Today is a little sad because we are leaving, but our next chapter is coming. We did it. And tonight we are celebrating our success.

I feel how exciting it will be to walk on that stage on Sunday to receive the degree of our success.

But I also feel sad. Many girls who wish to give education in Afghanistan, unfortunately, they are not allowed under the Taliban. I learned on this journey that education gives me hope.

Education makes me certain in life. Education opened, and made impossible doors open for me. It was not possible alone or without anyone’s support. Brandeis trusted us and welcomed us in this community.

We have found each other as a family. We are encouraged to achieve our dreams. If you want to take home one piece of advice from me tonight, it is that education is the key to bring light into your life, into your family, into your society, and into your country.

The good news is that we have attained this key and our gratitude and appreciation goes out to everyone at Brandeis and to our honorable families and our friends.

Members of Class of 2023, after tonight life will still continue and learning will still be the rule of life. Tonight, we are closing this chapter with cheers, love and happiness.

Let's all be here for one another and continue the legacy of kindness, caring and wisdom which we have attained from our professors and the Brandeis community.

Let us use the knowledge and these skills we acquired here to build our world and make it better.

Let us continue shining brightly and never give up no matter what. I'm so glad I didn't give up. And I'm so glad we have had this opportunity.

Who we are right now with the deepest appreciation and warmest regard, Class of 2023, congratulations.