Henry

Dear Henry,

It still feels a little unreal that my very first graduate student is now graduating.

Looking back, one of the things I have always appreciated most about you is your free-spirited nature. You seem to belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time, carrying an openness that allows you to connect with people, help others, and adapt to whatever life places in front of you. As fellow Eastern Taiwan natives, I have always felt a special sense of familiarity and comfort in having you around.

I know you are still searching for your direction, and honestly, that's perfectly okay. I remember you once said that life somehow finds a way to arrange things for us. I think there is wisdom in that. Not everyone needs to know exactly where they are going. Some people discover their path by fully experiencing the journey itself.

So don't rush to find all the answers. Go explore, enjoy, travel, meet people, try things, make mistakes, and create a life story that belongs uniquely to you. The next chapter does not need to look like anyone else's. Just make sure to take care of your health along the way—because all the adventures ahead will need a strong and healthy version of you.

Thank you for showing me that the relationship between a professor and a student can be so much more than teaching and learning. With you, I learned that we can grow together, learn from each other, and genuinely enjoy the process. Our conversations, flexibility, spontaneity, and countless unplanned moments have been some of the most memorable experiences of my academic career.

I have always felt incredibly fortunate that my very first student was you.

No matter where life takes you next, I will always be cheering for you.

Congratulations, Henry.

Tony
June 13, 2026