Tuyết Hằng: “The starting point is that I have had a journey that holds hope.”

As I put pen to paper to write these words, I feel quite confused and uncertain. My mind is like a film reel rewinding, recalling my past self! A time when I wasn't a business administration student at the Vietnam-America University!

Recalling those past days, I remember those months when I felt lost and uncertain about my life. All I knew was studying, and I thought I had to study hard to get into university so that my life would be happy and fulfilling. My final years of high school were incredibly stressful! Many nights I stayed up late, working on university entrance exam questions until dawn. Sometimes, I'd get scolded by teachers for not doing well on the exams. In the middle of the night, while working on my assignments, tears would stream down my face, a jumble of emotions difficult to explain. At that time, I couldn't believe that someone as cheerful and carefree as myself could be so easily hurt by such small things! I wanted to go to university, but in a contrasting state, I constantly questioned myself: what was my true dream? What did I truly want from the bottom of my heart?

Then the university entrance exam arrived. When I received my results, I was overjoyed to have achieved a high score of 21.5. I knew it was the result of my relentless efforts, and I was very confident I would get into the Oriental Studies program I had initially chosen. But as the saying goes, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." Anything can happen at the last minute in a way you'd never expect! I… failed! On the final day of admissions, I was mercilessly rejected, missing out by just 0.25 points! At that moment, I just walked into my room silently, thinking for a long time, feeling incredibly sad and empty! I didn't know what to do. Like someone standing at a crossroads, I had to make a choice: One, go to university with the major I randomly chose, just to maintain the social stigma of "Not going to university means you're worthless!" Secondly, I will choose a new path, even without a university degree, and I will do what I love! With a strong belief that I must take control of my own life and do what makes me happy, I decided to choose a new path for myself, a path that I, today, am secretly grateful to my past self for creating a turning point for me now!

I decided to withdraw my university application! Something compelled me to do so because I couldn't study without motivation and passion. This youth isn't long enough for me to waste my years doing meaningless things! Luckily, I have my family, my maternal grandparents – people who love me unconditionally and are willing to sacrifice everything for me. When I made that decision, my grandparents were my absolute supporters, never stopping me or saying anything because they knew I was very sad! That day, my grandfather drove me to withdraw my application. As the car drove off, my heart was in turmoil, so many thoughts flooded my mind: Should I retake the exam? Should I go to a different school or just quit and go to work? Throughout the journey, my grandfather and I talked non-stop, agreeing with and praising every idea I came up with. That's my family – they always respect me and never force me to do anything! I'm truly so lucky to have such a family!

I'm someone who doesn't believe in fate, but when I thought about Viet My University, I suddenly realized many unexpected and fortunate things. In the midst of my confusion, I received a message on Facebook from Ms. Ngan from Viet My University asking, "How are the results?" I confided in her about what had happened to me. She then invited me to visit Viet My University to learn more. At that time, I didn't like the invitations from universities and had no intention of attending colleges because I felt they were unreliable and lacked quality! However, I suddenly remembered past chance encounters with the school, which instilled a very positive and benevolent view of it deep in my heart. One such instance was when Viet My University came to my school to ask questions and give gifts; coincidentally, I received the most gifts. Another memory is when, during the admissions process, the first school to invite me for counseling was Viet My University. Those fortuitous encounters gave me the confidence to bet that I would go to Viet My today to learn more, and that fateful journey has begun…

On the afternoon of August 20, 2015, it rained heavily all the way to school. My grandfather and I arrived a little wet and worried. Viet My gave me a warm and friendly feeling during that initial meeting. Ms. Ngan was very enthusiastic in her advice, making me feel very comfortable, and I found the environment at Viet My to be very professional. Initially, I only intended to learn about the place and didn't plan to study there, but gradually, by some miracle, I grew to like it and wanted to experience it firsthand. For me, first impressions are incredibly important because they shape how others perceive you! Viet My, from the first glance, gave me a beautiful impression of professionalism and a friendly, endearing personality! Through the advice, I was extremely impressed and liked the BTEC program. Sadly, the field I wanted to study wasn't included in the BTEC program. I wanted to study Public Relations, but the program only offered two majors: Business Administration and Hotel Management. What I laughed at myself the most at the time was that I had just withdrawn my application because I didn't like hotel management. And to make matters worse, in high school I had bluntly declared, "I hate business administration the most because it requires so much calculation; I'll never study business administration." Yet, fate had put me in this awkward situation! The most ironic thing is that instead of giving up, I wanted to think it over because I felt interested in the BTEC program. So I had four days to consider it before the program started…

Returning home, I kept agonizing over what choice I should make. In just one day, I had to make so many choices, all incredibly important and impacting my future! I received a phone call from my youngest aunt – someone who loved and was very close to me. She was angry because I hadn't told her, but I was in a terrible mood at the time. Every word I said sounded like criticism, so in a fit of anger, I raised my voice at my youngest aunt. Even now, that phone conversation remains vividly etched in my heart, carrying a touch of regret! It was a turbulent August, and my 18th year was full of impulsiveness!

- I'm not going to school anymore, I'm going to work to please the whole family, okay? I'm so tired of hearing you say that!

– How can you say that?! If something happens, the whole family should work together to find a solution. Always thinking only of yourself, and then acting like this after just a small setback – how will you ever succeed in life later on?! If you want to study at Viet My, then go ahead and study there!

– I don't know which to choose; I like BTEC but I don't like those two other programs!

 – Then study business administration. Didn't you say you liked marketing when you were little? Just give it a try, and if you don't like it, we can all think of other options together!

“"The whole family working together" was the motivation that gave me strength, and two days later I decided to enroll in Business Administration. I knew then that I was taking a risk, gambling on myself with a firm mindset: I'm young, I'm not afraid of making mistakes, only afraid of regrets! If I didn't like the course, I would stop and continue my journey to find my ideals because I knew I always had a strong support system behind me. But in this life, I'm lucky; I found what I love right here at this school.

The first day of class felt just like being a student again! Nervous and anxious, but also full of anticipation. The first pharmacy class was about study skills, which sounded sophisticated, but it was super fun. In the first class, facing the bewildered faces of everyone, Professor Doan had the class play Ice Break. We didn't know each other, but we asked each other all sorts of questions, which made the atmosphere much less awkward! Looking back now, I find it hilarious because our relationships in class are now practically mercilessly teasing each other! Everyday activities were incorporated into the lessons; I felt like a primary school child being taught how to use the elevator, stairs, and restrooms... all very politely and professionally because I "respected personal image, respected the image of Vietnam and America." Or those moments when the whole class screamed and blushed because we were learning a very hot topic: "Love and Sex." The professor brought condoms into the class, creating many exciting and suspenseful situations that made the whole class burst into laughter. Moreover, I learned so many skills through each lesson, such as money management, time management, and using mind maps. Every day when I got home, I would proudly tell my grandparents about how fun and interesting everything I learned at school was! The feeling is indescribable! I completely forgot my initial worries and the comments from my friends.“"How did you end up studying business?" "Why did you choose to go to college instead?"” I don't care anymore because I know that what I like is enough.

For me, Viet My is a warm and happy big family. Mr. Doan is a friendly, tall, and somewhat strict but very understanding host, and he knows everything about our age group. Mr. Khang is like a housekeeper, keeping an eye on the family members; he's a bit serious, but when he's not a teacher, Mr. Khang is hilarious and uncontrollably mischievous! There are two mothers in the family: Ms. Nga and Ms. Hang. Ms. Nga is kind and always smiling; her lectures are lively, funny, and make us feel like we're back in our childhood. Ms. Hang is always smiling, sings well, and is always gentle, refined, and philosophical. Although Mr. Hoanh only taught me recently, I admire his wit, humor, and very "street-smart" personality. When you're learning to sing, you'll never know what it means to be sleepy; it's only fun and interesting! Each teacher at Viet My is a vibrant flower with their own unique and captivating charm. They spread their fragrant essence, imparting knowledge and nurturing the young sprouts reaching out into life. I admire and respect my teachers; they inspire me greatly, and every day at school is a joyful one for me because I live under their dedicated guidance and in the vibrant, united atmosphere of my lovely friends. Viet My is my second family!

The person I was in the past and the person I am now is still a cheerful, sociable, and humorous girl. My personality hasn't changed drastically because I love the optimism in my soul. What I see as a change is my way of thinking and perceiving things. The old me, though confident, lacked direction, didn't have much experience, and everything was just dry, unrealistic information from books. And now? I've learned to leverage my strengths. I know my competitive advantage lies in my communication skills and ability to build trust in relationships. I know how to highlight my strengths and recognize my weaknesses. That's absolutely wonderful!

School competitions and activities have also changed and helped me grow. Before, I never thought I'd end up selling goods on the street, enduring so much hardship, but participating in the $50 Challenge made it happen! The experience I gained was invaluable, a gift for those who dare to take risks and are passionate! Following these explorations were charity trips sponsored by the school and teachers. I was fortunate to participate in the "Warmth of Hau Giang" activity, getting to know many volunteers, lighting bonfires, and working diligently to create a truly beneficial playground for the children. After this trip, I continued on to participate in the "Understanding and Caring" program. This is an unforgettable memory because the emotions I felt at that time are difficult to put into words! All I know is that after these trips, I learned that I am incredibly lucky to have everything I have now. I see that life is meaningful and I need to take practical action to make this picture of life even more wonderful and beautiful. Although each trip was arduous and tiring, it was nothing compared to what I received from them. Thank you, Viet My, for giving me these opportunities.

I am now a first-year business administration student. I am satisfied and passionate about my chosen field of study. Every day I go to school happily, meeting my teachers and friends. I understand what I want and I can freely express my creativity and passion. I have a reliable team of friends in my major, and my group is ready to support each other when needed. I am happy with my future choices, but then I suddenly realized that the university entrance exam has passed, and many young people today are just like I was before, not knowing where they will go! Listening to the stories of my friends and even my old friends, all I can say is, "Try it, be brave and pursue what you choose! University is not the only path, but find a suitable environment for self-improvement." Many of my old friends still haven't figured out what they want; some are just drifting through life, pursuing fields they don't like, and then recounting their frustrations! They shared their thoughts and liked how I was enjoying my student life; it was so interesting and full of passion. I have goals to strive for and will soon be planning business ventures with my friends. I don't know how far I'll go, but knowing where I started gives me hope for the journey ahead. Thank you, Viet My, for giving me such a wonderful environment.

Thank you, Viet My, for allowing me to meet such dedicated and caring instructors.

Thank you, Viet My, for connecting me with like-minded friends.

Thank you, Viet My, for helping me understand myself and change!

Viet My and I. Forever love!

Nguyen Tuyet Hang – BMS2015

Author: Viet My College - Date written: September 28, 2016

Category: News - Events, Student life