- M71, Shih-Hsiu Tseng-

Life is much like climbing a mountain. When we first enter the world, we stand at the foot of the mountain—innocent, curious, and eager to ascend toward the unknown. Every effort we make and every challenge we overcome is like stepping onto a firm rock or scaling a steep cliff. Along the journey, there are storms and dense fog, but there are also moments when sunlight breaks through the clouds, revealing breathtaking views from above.

Being admitted to Kaohsiung Medical College was undoubtedly one of the brightest peaks in my life's journey. To spend seven years studying alongside some of the nation's finest young minds was both an honor and an inspiration. Even today, that sense of pride and wonder continues to resonate within me.

Now, having experienced life's successes and seen the years gently touch my hair with silver, I find myself gradually descending the mountain. Compared with the striving and ambition of earlier years, this stage of life calls for a quieter heart. It teaches us to slow down, to pause and appreciate every flower, every passing cloud, and every familiar smiling face. We come to realize that life's greatest beauty lies not only in the magnificent views from the summit, but also in the shifting light and shadows within the valleys—and in the companionship, support, and understanding shared among fellow travelers.

In our generation, KMU was one of the most prestigious aspirations for students pursuing medicine. It represented a gateway into the world of healing and medical excellence. Though time has passed and the campus has weathered many changes, today, under the steadfast leadership of President Ming-Lung Yu and Dean Chao-Yuan Wang, KMU is once again moving forward with confidence, reclaiming its brilliance and advancing toward the ranks of the world's leading institutions.

Recently, as our alma mater embarked on the construction of its International Student Dormitory, it became a moment that called for collective support. During a casual gathering with classmates, President Yu briefly mentioned the project. To our surprise, the response was immediate and overwhelming. Within less than a week, our classmates had raised nearly NT$10 million. The generosity and commitment demonstrated by the M71 class remain deeply moving and sincerely appreciated.

M71 is more than a designation marking the year we entered KMU in 1982. It is a shared identity forged through four decades of friendship and etched permanently into our lives.

That bond is like an eternal light. Whenever we reunite, regardless of the silver in our hair, the sound of familiar laughter instantly transports us back to our youth. M71 is a group of individuals who shine in their own ways, but more importantly, a community that illuminates one another.

When our alma mater is in need, we stand together as a dependable source of support. In our medical careers, whenever a classmate entrusts a patient to one of us, what we accept is not merely a professional responsibility, but also the profound trust that comes from years of friendship. M71 represents our shared youth, the umbrella that sheltered us through life's storms, and the warmest place we can always call home.

I often imagine the day when the new dormitory is completed and our class gathers there once again. We will walk through sunlit corridors, exchanging stories and laughter. Looking up at a wall bearing our collective name alongside those of classmates with whom I once studied and dreamed, I may feel a touch of humility, for so many of you have achieved extraordinary things while I can only admire from afar. Yet I know I will also feel immense gratitude and pride, because those names will symbolize the traces of our youth, the fruits of our hard work, and the enduring proof of the dreams and convictions that inspired us to grow.

Thank you. Thank you for every act of trust, every generous response, and every gesture of kindness. Walking this journey alongside all of you has been one of the greatest blessings of my life and the source of my deepest strength.

May the road ahead continue to offer mountains to climb, oceans to cross, and light to guide our way. May there be peace in the passing years, and may we always find strength in one another's companionship.

▲M71 classmates gathered enthusiastically for their 30th reunion in 2019.

▲During the 30th reunion, M71 alumni also raised more than NT$1 million to support financially disadvantaged junior students and help transform their futures.

▲A glimpse of the youthful days of the M71 class.

⭐Make a donation in support of the International Student Dormitory project：https://reurl.cc/laA3x6

★Future issues of the KMU Alumni Magazine will continue featuring stories of International Student Dormitory donors, sharing the motivations and personal journeys behind each contribution.