Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger was honored with a doctorate from Ulster University in Northern Ireland, prompting him to reminisce about his early days. At 78, Schwarzenegger returned to Belfast, where he first visited 60 years ago during his bodybuilding career. During a light-hearted speech, he recounted his first public speaking experience in English back in 1966 when he won a bodybuilding competition.
Schwarzenegger humorously shared that he was unaware of the Irish accent at the time as he didn’t speak English well. Despite his limited language skills, his brief address to the audience earned him a standing ovation. Reflecting on the encouraging response he received, he expressed gratitude for the warm reception he experienced during his initial public speaking endeavor.
Recalling the event, Schwarzenegger mentioned the host’s positive feedback on his public speaking debut and the audience’s enthusiastic response. He humorously noted the difference between his famous movie line, “I’ll be back,” and his actual words at the event, “I come back.” The supportive audience’s reaction left him pleasantly surprised, boosting his confidence in public speaking.
