Chapter 524 - 248: The Biggest Surprise Since the Dungeon Opened! (5.8K)_2

In another section on his front right, five or six rows away, the view was obstructed, so he couldn’t see the situation clearly.

However, considering that it’s not uncommon for black people to study these days, perhaps the murmuring over there was due to their attire or something similar?

Like African tribal totems or Indians, or maybe they were nuns?

Just as Xu Yun was speculating.

William Whewell exchanged a glance with Prince Albert in the audience, nodded slightly without changing his expression, and said:

"Alright, everyone please calm down."

"As we all know, there’s a significant cultural barrier between countries that’s often hard to break in a short time."

"Therefore, adapting to campus life is a bit more challenging for these students compared to regular students."

"So, during a recent executive meeting, some board members suggested — assigning one or more study partners of the opposite gender to each foreign student. This might speed up their integration."

Below the podium.

Xu Yun’s mouth twitched slightly.

Oh boy.

Why does this approach feel oddly familiar?

Then William Whewell chuckled, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and said:

"Of course, this suggestion was eventually rejected."

"Finally, after a decision by all the trustees, we decided to invite these foreign students to come on stage at this opening ceremony and introduce themselves."

"This is the first time since the founding of the University of Cambridge that the college has organized a public introduction for international students. Perhaps it could become a standardized procedure in the future."

"Now, each foreign student has five minutes to organize their thoughts — sorry for the lack of prior notice, but this way you can show your most authentic selves, can’t you?"

Upon hearing this.

Several areas in the audience.

Including Xu Yun, many faces simultaneously showed a trace of daze and surprise.

Self-introduction?

This was a process no one informed them of before the opening ceremony...

But on second thought.

There are a total of 374 students at the ceremony. Based on an 11% ratio of foreign students, there are about 41 international students.

Each person from being called to going up on stage and finishing their introduction, the fast ones take about a minute, the slow ones two or three minutes at most.

The entire process would take about an hour, which isn’t very long.

When Xu Yun was an exchange student, he also encountered this requirement. He even got teased by some classmates to perform:

At that time, he howled out a song about patriotism, and for the rest of his year at Cambridge, no one dared to let him near the microphone...

But Xu Yun wasn’t the quirkiest.

Later, he met a funny guy, who did well academically and went to study at Waseda University.

At the welcoming ceremony, this guy sang a revolutionary song in Chinese, and the audience of Neon People applauded and cheered...

This is a true story, ahem.....

Returning to reality.

After announcing the next arrangements, William Whewell waited a few minutes, then said:

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let’s get back to the topic."

"I have a list of foreign students from four colleges, and now I invite the student I call to come on stage and introduce themselves. The first international student is..."

"Mr. Tatum Austin!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Applause immediately erupted in the venue.

After a while.

A black man with very thick lips stood up from the left side of the podium, touched his nose, and jogged onto the stage, looking a bit nervous.

William Whewell made room and said with a smile:

"Austin, don’t be too nervous, good luck!"

The black man nodded with a flushed face, scratched behind his ear with his fingers, took a deep breath, and said loudly:

"Hello everyone, I am Tatum Austin from Peter College, majoring in agriculture. I’m 17 years old and from Mozambique."

"My dream is to cultivate the highest-yielding watermelons and cotton in the world. Thank you all!"

After speaking.

He hurriedly bowed to the audience and quickly returned to his seat.

The audience responded with scattered applause.

The momentum was noticeably less than when he came on stage; it was clear everyone wasn’t quite satisfied.

William Whewell also applauded. After seeing Tatum Austin return to his seat, he announced the next name:

"Max Christian Friedrich Bruch!"

"Hmm?"

Hearing this name, Xu Yun sat up straight, showing a bit more interest.

Moments later.

A man with a hairstyle and beard somewhat resembling Li Kui, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, walked onto the podium.

He calmly shook hands with William Whewell, nodded to Prince Albert and others in the audience, and said:

"Handsome gentlemen, beautiful ladies, hello everyone. I am Max Christian Friedrich Bruch from Germany."

"Starting this year, I will be studying theology and classical music at Trinity College. I will also hold performances on campus from time to time. You are all welcome to attend."

Compared to the previous speaker, Tatum Austin, this Max Christian Friedrich Bruch appeared much more composed.

Xu Yun observed a few more moments from his seat and confirmed that this should be the Bruch.

This gentleman is quite a notable person and holds a spot in the Cambridge Alumni Records as a composer and conductor.