Valedictorian Speech – IM2025

Good afternoon, everyone.
Two years ago, I was standing on the platform of Urasa Station with a suitcase. And a heart full of excitement and worry. Looking back, I had absolutely no idea how IUJ would change my life.
Today, I stand before you with more things that I can carry in that suitcase. I now carry friendships that span continents, memories I can’t begin to count, and a heart full of gratitude.

So yes… when I was nominated as valedictorian, I was thrilled. But when I actually sat down in front of my laptop to write this speech — I was stuck. How can I summarize these two incredible years in five minutes? Should I talk about our academic journey — the hours spent debating strategy, building business models, learning to lead, and sometimes learning to follow? Like the time when we virtually climbed Mount Everest— and in the middle of managing oxygen and medicine packs, we learned more about ourselves and our teams than any textbook could teach? Should I talk about IUJ’s Open Day, where students around the world came together, proudly wearing their cultures, showcasing their talents, and reminding us what true diversity looks and feels like? Or should I take you to stories beyond classrooms — the games, the dance nights, the laughter in the dorms, the deep conversations, and silly gossip that stretched late into the night? And then I asked myself — should this be an inspiring speech? A motivational one?

But the truth is, no single speech can capture what these two years have meant. Because it wasn’t just the classes or the events that changed us — it was the perspective we gained. How the long 30-minute walk to 7-Eleven — once tiring — has become the walk we’ll miss the most.
How the unfamiliar faces we met two years ago turned into the ones we never want to forget. How we went from worrying about fitting in… to worrying about how to say goodbye to the place that became our comfort zone. It wasn’t just me — all of us grew. All of us learned. And all of us found something here that changed how we see the world… and ourselves. Over time, IUJ stopped being just our school — it became our home. Because IUJ didn’t just teach us business. It taught us to embrace diversity. To build resilience in the face of uncertainty. To look at the world through a wider lens — and with a braver heart. We didn’t just earn a degree — we earned a new lens to see the world with. And now as we are ready to toss our caps and step into the next chapter, let’s face the future not with fear, but with courage.
The path ahead won’t always be clear, but what we’ve learned here at IUJ has prepared us to navigate it — with resilience, adaptability and perseverance. Let’s continue getting uncomfortable — because that’s exactly where growth begins.

Before I close, I want to take a moment to say thank you to the people who made this journey possible:
To our professors — thank you for challenging us, encouraging us, and treating us not just as students, but as future leaders.
To the IUJ staff — your dedication behind the scenes turned this remote town into a global campus… and into our home.
To my dear friends — Aira, Eya, Jiji, Toni, and Yusuke — and also the Filipino community who treated me as their own — thank you for the endless memories, the laughter, and the reminder that success is sweeter when shared.
To my family — Mommy, Daddy, and my siblings — who are watching me live on YouTube, early in the morning in Nepal. Thank you for encouraging your little girl to take on this amazing journey.
To my role model — my sister, Renji — thank you. Through your eyes, I found the courage to dream of this moment.
And finally, to every single one of you, the Class of 2025 — congratulations. We’ve made it. We stepped out of our comfort zone, challenged ourselves every day and lived this journey to the fullest. Let’s continue getting uncomfortable — because that’s exactly where growth begins.

Thank you, and once again, congratulations!

Click here to watch the speech