On June 21 2018 Elder Morgenegg and I were invited to Mohammad’s graduation from medical school. He has become an important part of our family here and so we had to go. He sent us the address and an personal text invitation. He told us it began at about noon but not to feel like we had to be there by then because it would probably be starting late. We didn’t understand that as we expected it to start on time so we arrived before noon. If you received Elder Morgenegg’s description you know that we had checked with Mohammad to be sure we knew where to go. Mohammad even showed him on a screenshot of google maps where we needed to go and what door to enter. We rode the tram around to the stop near the school and walked the short block to the huge complex. We went to the end he suggested and went in a door (there was another building at that end but we thought the entrance should be where we entered. We soon learned (once the guard got someone who spoke English) that we were in the police academy – probably why they all had badges to swipe and there were so many guards. This very nice man took us outside and told us we needed to go the opposite direction from where Mohammad said to go – that was the medical school he said. We decided to try the other building at the end and that was where the graduation was – it was a large auditorium and very modern and probably very new. So here are some pictures I took (I actually took over a hundred but I will not bore you with all of them) of the events of the day and some explanation. I am sorry if it is a repeat of what Elder Morgenegg already wrote.
After a brief introduction these very professional dancers came out and danced a very beautiful ballroom style dance.
All during the afternoon there were things shown on the screen but mostly it was the same thing – something about the medical schools.
Pictures of students and classes are on the screen. We kept looking for Mohammad and could not see him. It turns out this group of graduates were dental hygienists or perhaps other dental students and that showed in the pictures that flashed.
I understand this is a very famous Ukrainian singer – everyone was very excited to see her and the audience was singing along with her. The pictures on the screen were scenes from Ukraine. I liked this one of the poppies.
Behind the singer on the left you can almost see a man and woman standing in white doctor’s coats and hats. They stood there for much of the afternoon. At some point they left but I am not sure when or even why they were there. There are also white stands with flowers on them. These were separate from the long stemmed roses the students were each given. After the students who had been given diplomas and roses left the stage we thought they were done but then the singer and then ….
More singing and dancing.
Finally that group ended their graduation ceremony and threw up their hats and then the picture taking began.
After each group graduated the students and all their families gathered on the stage. They love to pose for pictures and we have seen they have a certain stance they like to use. We will have to show you if we can imitate it when we get home. Finally they were shooed off the stage for the next group.
In between Mohammad would come and visit and assure us that his graduation was coming. Here he is with President and Sister Sullivan.
When these two young women came on the stage we thought maybe now is the time for Mohammad to graduate.
Then we noticed that Mohammad was sitting with his best friend, Artium, right near us. What happened???
Now we learn that actually there are two groups more to graduate before Mohammad does. ??!! Well, we have enjoyed visiting and there are others who have come now (because they knew that coming late was a good idea) – so by the time Mohammad actually graduated there were lots of friends and branch members there to celebrate with him and show him how loved he is.
Meanwhile on the stage more singers and dancers.
Elder Rodgerson and Elder Nielson got special permission to attend the graduation. Dasha was recently baptized in our branch.
Irina was baptized last year and is about to submit her mission papers and she is sitting next to Elder Vanderpool who, with his companion, also was given permission to attend.
Finally, we see Mohammad lining up with his class. An aside, these graduation ceremonies were for the international school. The first group had students representing 27 countries. Mohammad’s group had students representing 17 countries. The graduations for Ukrainians is held at another time.
Yet another musical number with fireworks on the screen.
Finally, Mohammad makes it onto the stage to receive his rose, shake hands with the doctor in charge and receive his diploma. He was smiling broader than ever. He was number 44 out of almost 100 students and there were several others from Jordan.
Elder Nielsen was one of the missionaries who first found and taught Mohammad so he was also allowed to attend and he held the Jordanian flag high for Mohammad.
FINALLY!! Caps flying at the announcement that they have finally graduated. This is Mohammad’s whole class.
After there were more and more pictures. Here is one of Mohammad with his flag.
These three sweet young women came to congratulate and celebrate with Mohammad – Ulia, Vika, and Elena. I love these three wonderful young women Elena recently returned from her mission in Birmingham England. Vika is Elena’s sister.
Mohammad with Baso (from Lebanon) and the Jordanian flag again.
When we went outside there were a group of Jordanians dancing to music from a car and Mohammad went down to dance with them. His photographer got some great pictures – perhaps someday I will have those as well but for now just imagine them dancing.
Mohammad and his photographer, Julia. She followed him around all afternoon taking photos for him and for his family.
Finally a moment to congratulate this amazing young man on his accomplishments.
We finally left sometime after four pm – it was a long afternoon but it was fun to see how graduations are handled in Ukraine. Enjoy.
