Student Union
- By Thuy Pham
Meet Thuy, a Business Student from Vietnam
Home Country: Vietnam
School: California State University Fullerton
Year: Class of 2013
Major: MBA, International Business
Why did you decide to study in the US?
I have never been to US and what I perceived of the freedom of an American multinational culture (lifestyle, education, entertainments…) made me curious and challenged to explore it and integrate into it.
What’s one thing that you’re really interested in besides your academic major?
Business is my academic major for undergraduate and postgraduate (at this moment). I have worked in business for few years, but others find me non-business style when they get to know me more. Perhaps, I have another world - my feelings for the beauty. It is just speechless moment if I see an inspiring artwork, hear a beautiful melody or read a meaningful quote. I can’t tell how I understand about art because I believe that everyone of us has it in our blood, so I have my own art view: I am doing business. Business is an art. Thus, I am doing art.
What three words do you think your friends would use to describe you? What three words would you use to describe you?
I did a quick survey in my Facebook to ask friends how they describe me in 3 words after VOA Student Union asked me this question. I really love one comment from my old professor in my university back in Vietnam: “the Forrest Gump feather.” Besides that, the major judgment from the rest is “weird.”
I watched the movie long time ago, but I didn’t notice the “feather” symbol in the movie. I think the point is that the feather represents fate - Sally Field says: "It blows in the wind and just touches down here or there. Was it planned or was it just perchance?" which is somewhat true for me. Like I usually describe myself: beautism, sensitivity, and difference.
What’s one thing you like better about the US than your home country so far?
You can have everything just by one-click.
What typical American thing are you most looking forward to?
I am looking forward to a road trip to travel every single state of America. Is it an impossible dream?
What’s the one thing you most want to teach Americans about your country?
“We are communist!”
What emotion have you experienced most since leaving home?
Only one word: missing.
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Ohio Public Colleges Told to End Race-based Scholarships
Ohio’s attorney general has ordered public colleges and universities to end merit scholarships that incorporate race-based criteria, saying they are unconstitutional.
The attorney general advised education officials that compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions extends to scholarships, according to the Columbus Dispatch. (March 2024)
Greek Parliament Approves Branches of Foreign Universities
The Greek parliament voted to allow foreign universities to establish and operate branch campuses in the country.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the move was made to encourage Greek students to stay in the country for advanced studies, instead of going abroad for an education. (March 2024)
Virginia Bans Legacy Admissions
The state of Virginia has banned legacy admissions to public colleges and universities.
The New York Times reports the state has outlawed the practice of giving preferential admissions status to students based on connections to alumni and donors. (March 2024)
New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices
A new Texas law prohibits public universities from having special programs supporting minority and LGBTQ students. Critics say these diversity, equity and inclusion programs are discriminatory and divisive. But many students say they are needed. Deana Mitchell has the story from the Texas capital.
Here’s What It Feels Like to Find Home Between Two Cultures
Cynthia Jia, a student at the University of Virginia, writes about how Chinese literature helped reconcile her to being part of two cultures. Read her story in The Cavalier Daily. (February 2024)