Kebinakgabo Tapiwa Barona（中文名赵柔娜）是一名来自博茨瓦纳国土资源管理部的处级官员，她于2019年9月来到云南财经大学，就读于商务部发展中国家硕士学历学位项目。两年的在华学习让她收获颇丰、感受深刻，2021年7月8日，在云南财经大学海外学院举行的毕业典礼上，赵柔娜作为2019级优秀学员代表致辞，表达了对中国、对学校的深情厚谊。

“在中国学习是多么美好的时光。我们还见证了中国打赢抗疫之战。虽然我们将错过即将到来的2022年冬奥会，但祝愿一切顺利。无论我们走到世界的哪个角落，我们都与中国建立了牢固的联系。”赵柔娜在发言中对中国政府给予她的高质量教育、友善的环境以及中国文化的吸引力表达了深深的谢意和赞赏。她表示，两年的学习不仅使得她在学术上受益，更经受了“坚韧、信任、团结的锻炼”，磨砺了性格，开拓了国际视野，最重要的是“了解了中国的精神”。

赵柔娜说：“非常荣幸能成为云南财经大学大家庭的一员，这也自然而然地让我们成为中国的大使。这是我们生活中一个改变人生的里程碑，中国就像第二故乡。”

在校期间，赵柔娜曾结合自己的经历，深入浅出地表达了对中国抗疫举措的看法并从专业的角度进行了分析，其撰写的文章《China's urban planning made life easier during epidemic》（中文译名《城市规划助益疫情中的中国民生保障》）充分肯定了中国在城市规划和基础设施建设方面的科学性，并对中国政府在危机应对方面的能力和成效表达了赞许。该文于2020年4月16日被中国日报网英文版“观点”栏目全文刊登。

2015年4月，云南财经大学获商务部批准承办发展中国家硕士学历学位项目，主要培养广大发展中国家政府部门、大型企业、学术机构等相关领域中高级管理及研究人员来华攻读硕士学位。至今，该项目共招收培养来自33个国家的135名学员。

赵柔娜（左四）与同学的毕业合影

以下为赵柔娜发言的全文：

First and foremost I would like to recognize those who made this important day possible．Special thanks to our -families, -our governments, -the government of China, -MOFCOM our sponsor, -YUFE, the facility, school of Overseas, -our Dean, -our program coordinator, -our teachers, -and staff．

The decision to choose a suitable place to study and stay can be a daunting process, because of important factors to consider. Usually the three main factors would be: firstly, the quality of the education; Secondly, the living environment and culture. China truly offers the best: both living, learning experience and culture are friendly to foreigners.  

YUFE is indeed an international university making dreams come true for promising students like myself and fellow international students. This is why the decision to choose China has been most fulfilling. And, thanks to China for choosing us.

It feels like yesterday when we received the good news about the scholarship. It feels like yesterday when we boarded the flight to China and waved our families goodbyes. Yes, it feels like yesterday when we started our first class, and introduced to our teachers.

I remember the first class, we were so eager. We met as classmates from different countries. We all became friends, studied together and shared meals together. As classmates we embraced each other’s cultures and background.

What a great time to have studied in China, witnessing the historical events that occurred; like winning of the battle against Covid-19. We will miss the upcoming Olympics 2022, all the Best! I must say, there is a strong bond that has been created connecting us to China, wherever we go in the world.

It’s been almost two years since we started our masters. We are an exceptional group with so much success. we have flourished in so many school activities including the published articles at national and provincial level, victory of the football  game, participating in other sporting activities, social and cultural activities.

For all of us the Final year was the toughest, shifting to online learning, it required our full commitment and hard-work. The teachers offered us unlimited support and guidance. Indeed, this demonstrated that with great team work and dedication, anything is possible.

For this entire journey, it was made possible by our outstanding teachers who against all odds made sure we get the best education. It is from their selflessness act and professionalism that we are equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver on project management. Not only that, they took good care of us.

Truth be said, not only did we benefit academically, studying here has taught us more; it has instilled in us the character of resilience, trust, togetherness sharpening our character. China’s YUFE allowed us to develop an international perspective. And most importantly understand the best of China, the colorful Yunnan-Kunming and our amazing school.

YUFE created a platform for us to interact and appreciate each other’s diversity cultures and lifestyles. Indeed, YUFE does deliver on its promises, and for that we have so much trust in the school and China as whole.

For us graduates we are deeply honored to becoming part of YUFE family, and making us ambassadors of China. This is a life changing milestone in our lives. China feels like the second home.

President Xi for China’s vision of "a bright shared Future" is most desirable for the world. Now that we have an international view. The aspirations to realize the shared vision for humankind, now dwells in us as individuals in our own unique ways.

Let’s aspire to be positive change markers. We are a step in the right direction to contribute towards our countries’  developments and the improvement of our people’s livelihoods.

We have made friendships and unforgettable memories to hold dearly in our hearts.

Farewell, farewell dear teachers, we will never forget you. Our hearts are filled with sorrow, because we are leaving you. But the beauty of our relationship is the deepest and will remain forever.

And to us fellow students, we made it!

Congratulations to class of 2019

中文翻译版本：

首先，我要感谢那些使这一重要日子成为可能的人，特别感谢我们的家人、我们的政府和中国政府，以及项目的主办方中国商务部，承办方云南财经大学、海外学院和我们的老师。

选择到某个合适的地方学习进修可能是一个艰难的决定，因为有很多重要的因素需要考虑，主要包括三个方面：首先是教育质量，然后是环境和文化。无论是生活、学习、文化对外国人的友好程度，中国无疑是最好的选择。

云南财经大学确实是一所国际化的大学，能够让像我一样有追求的国际学生实现自己的梦想，这就是为什么我认为选择中国的决定是最有意义的。而且，也感谢中国选择我们。

时间飞逝，这感觉就像昨天我们刚收到获得奖学金的好消息，昨天我们刚登上了飞往中国的航班，向家人挥手告别。是的，感觉就像昨天我们开始上第一节课，向老师介绍自己。

我记得第一节课，我们求知若渴。来自不同国家的同学成为好朋友，一起学习，一起生活。作为同学，我们彼此接纳了多彩的文化和背景。

在中国学习是非常美好的时光。我们见证了中国打赢抗疫之战。我们将错过即将到来的2022年冬奥会，但祝愿一切顺利。我必须说，无论我们走到世界的哪个角落，我们都与中国建立了紧密的联系。

两年以来，我们成为了一个非常优秀的群体，取得了巨大的成功，我们积极参加学校的许多活动，包括在国家级媒体（中国日报）发表文章，赢得足球比赛，参加运动会，以及丰富的社会和文化活动。

对我们所有人来说，最后一年是最艰难的一年。转向在线学习，需要我们全力以赴。还好老师们给了我们很大的支持和指导。事实上，这表明了伟大的团队合作和奉献精神，使得任何事情都是可能的。

在这整个过程中，我们优秀的老师们使得我们接受了最好的教育，他们的无私奉献和专业精神让我们具备了项目管理的知识和技能，不仅如此，他们还给予了我们无微不至的照顾。

说实话，我们不仅在学术上受益，在这里学习也教会了我们很多，坚韧、信任、团结的锻炼，磨砺了我们的性格。多彩的云南昆明，我们令人惊叹的学校，让我们开拓了国际视野，最重要的是了解了中国的精神。

云南财经大学为我们创造了一个平台，让我们相互交流，欣赏彼此多元的文化和生活方式。事实上，学校确实兑现了自己的承诺，为此我们对学校和整个中国都非常信任。

对于我们毕业生来说，我们非常荣幸能成为云南财经大学大家庭的一员，这也自然而然地使我们成为中国的大使。这是我们生活中一个改变人生的里程碑，中国就像第二故乡。

习近平主席对中国“人类命运共同体”的愿景是世界最向往的。现在我们有了国际视野，实现人类共同愿景的愿望现在以我们自己独特的方式存在于我们作为个体的内心之中。

我们立志成为改革者，正朝着正确方向迈进，为我们国家的发展、改善我们的人民生活作出贡献。

我们建立了友谊，有难忘的回忆，都将在我们心中珍藏。

万般不舍，再见！亲爱的老师们，我们不会忘记你们，我们的心充满了悲伤，因为我们就要离开。但我们感情至深，并将永存心间。

我想对我们所有同学来说，我们做到了！

祝贺我们2019级的同学！