By Honorary Reporter Mandana Khalessi from Iran

Photos = Mandana Khalessi

King Sejong Institute in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 8 held its graduation ceremony for last year's students at the Korean ambassador's residence in Iran. As one of the graduates after four years of study, I joined my classmates to celebrate the milestone. 

In his opening speech, Ambassador Kim Junpyo emphasized the significance of learning a new language, describing graduation not as an end but as the beginning of new opportunities including traveling to Korea, applying for a Global Korea Scholarship and exploring ways to connect with Korean culture.

Ambassador Kim Junpyo (right) and I post for a photo at the ceremony.

A video message from our teacher Kim Jia, who couldn't attend the event due to being in Korea, was played at the ceremony. She reflected on the challenges and rewarding moments of our years together, followed by a speech by the oldest graduate.

The much-anticipated moment arrived as we received our diplomas. Each graduate went up to get it and a bouquet of flowers from Ambassador Kim, who was dressed in Hanbok (traditional clothing).

My four years of studying at King Sejong Institute in Tehran produced this diploma at the ceremony. 

Learning Korean at the institute was a dream of mine and I finished with the highest score possible. To mark the occasion, I wore a graduation gown and hat from my parents and sister. 

When my name was called, I walked up to receive my diploma, and the ambassador complimented me for wearing the custom-made gown. 

During a 15-minute break, we ate Korean food including tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), tea and Korean-style fried chicken. I also got to sing "Hello" by Sohyang, which was the first Korean song I learned.

The graduates all pose for a group photo. 

The highlight of the ceremony was wearing Hanbok and taking photos in them. I felt like a princess in a historical K-drama while wearing one.

The ceremony was the perfect conclusion to my years of studying Korean. I dedicated myself to learning the language and achieving the highest scores, and standing in that beautiful Hanbok was the culmination of a dream come true.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.