Graduation

Although the ceremony was long - so many MSc graduates from Geosciences! - it's still a high-point in my year. On stage, we can do nothing bu clap the graduands, which makes it a good time for reflection. Afterwards, at the reception, it's usually the last time I'll ever see students who are thankful for what we've done for them, but are blind to the joy that their youthful intelligence brings to us. For me the best moment was when one of the students who is particularly grateful to me introduced me to his mother, who only spoke Bulgarian but wanted to meet the man who had done so much for her son. Although K translated for us, it was exciting to use some of the little Bulgarian I can speak.