The Should-have-been-there Acknowledgement
Recently, I decided to take the year off from my master’s study at Department of Foreign Languages and Literature (DFLL), National Taiwan University (NTU). The reasons for such decision might be too complicated and too unimportant in an acknowledgement, therefore, please allow me to skip this part.
Speaking of acknowledgements, it is normally for grad school students who, after years of self-doubt and turmoil, finally finishes his or her thesis, and would like to offer their sincere gratitude to the help along the way. As a result, with the absence of a thesis, let along a formal thesis proposal, it is quite unorthodox for me to do this publicly.
However, while there isn’t an end product to thank for, I don’t think thanks should go unannounced.
First and foremost, I am deeply indebted to my advisor, Professor Chi-she Li. Without his kindness and tolerance, the mentorship would not be possible in the first place. He has always been patient with my slow progress, and is very understanding with my decision to take the year off. It is truly an honor to study under his guidance.
Throughout my grad school life, the first two years wouldn’t be as rewarding without Professor Guy Beauregard. In his methodology class and transitional justice seminar, I learned about academic discipline and the importance of history. Only when we know where we came from can we know where to go. In addition, I really enjoy the advising dinners he arranged. With his great taste in food, I am able to appreciate Taipei in a new perspective.
Aside from my academic advisors, I am grateful for Professor Wen-hsien Hsu. I have a great time serving as her Freshman English TA. Her attention to detail and dedication to teaching inspire me to pursue an occupation that I can pay similar amount of passion to.
During the two and a half years of study, I am blessed to meet my wonderful classmates. While in the past, grad students usually work on their own, we organize movie screening and proposal workshops to strengthen our bond, and it’s the friendship that I would miss after leaving NTU. My sincere gratitude and best wishes go to Andrea Lai, Ken Chao, Johnny Liu, Grace Jin (hope all goes well in China), Kim Jin, Ruby Liu, Shirley Shen, Marcie Chen, Jessica Yang, Jennifer Chen and Tzi-Yu Hung.
I want to thank my mom and my younger brother for their financial and emotional support. My dad’s sudden passing in February urged me to cherish life. My girlfriend Amy has been, and always will be, the best partner anyone could have asked for.
