Quitting her job as a flight attendant, a mother of one became university valedictorian

Just a few days ago, Nguyen Dieu Thuong (born 1996) was named valedictorian of the Bachelor of Science in Management program awarded by Keuka College (USA) with an impressive GPA of 3.91/4.00.

Few people know that behind the gentle smile of the 29-year-old female valedictorian is a challenging journey - the journey of a mother, a wife and a person who never stops believing in the value of knowledge.

“ The past four years have not been an easy journey. Every class, every discussion, every time I overcame pressure were the bricks that built today. I am grateful for the courage to start over and pursue it to the end, ” Thuong shared.

Nguyen Dieu Thuong at the graduation ceremony. (Photo: NVCC)

Dieu Thuong worked as a flight attendant for 5 years, a stable job with the opportunity to travel everywhere, meet many people, and explore many cultures. Between long flights and moments of looking at the world through a small window, Thuong realized that she still had another desire - the desire to learn, to understand, and to contribute to the field of education .

Thuong believes that knowledge is the path that helps each person grow up and create sustainable values. Thuong decided to return to the classroom even though she knew that at her age, the journey would be full of obstacles. Thuong has never regretted her choice. On the contrary, the 29-year-old girl feels grateful for having the courage to choose a new path, daring to live true to what brings her values beyond the usual material considerations.

“ Being a flight attendant taught me discipline, service spirit and the ability to adapt to any situation. These skills are now valuable assets when I enter the education field ,” Thuong said.

Dieu Thuong has nearly 5 years of experience as a flight attendant (Photo: NVCC)

Returning to the classroom at the age of 25, Dieu Thuong faced many challenges. The valedictorian still remembers clearly the first time she presented in class. Despite careful preparation, she was still so nervous that her heart was beating fast and her legs were shaking with anxiety. Only when she heard the encouragement of her friends did Thuong calm down and complete her presentation.

For Thuong, it was not just a presentation, but a small turning point that helped me mature more in my learning journey.

Having a family and a young child, Dieu Thuong understands the value of time. Every study hour and every assignment must be carefully arranged between her childcare schedule, meals and daily worries. Most of Thuong's study time is when her child is asleep - a rare quiet moment during the day for her to truly focus on writing, researching and completing each assignment.

There were days when her child was sick, Thuong could hardly concentrate on anything, she was both worried and tired. At that time, studying was not only a time effort but also a mental challenge.

Dieu Thuong and her son at the graduation ceremony (Photo: NVCC)

However, on the journey to conquer knowledge, Thuong is not alone. She always has her family, especially her husband by her side to encourage and share.

Few people know that Dieu Thuong was also a contestant in the Miss Ocean 2017 contest. Recalling this memorable memory, Thuong smiled and said she is always grateful to the version of herself that year - the one who dared to step out of her comfort zone to discover herself, to better understand her own value, abilities and limits.

The months of participating in beauty contests helped Thuong realize that true beauty does not only come from appearance, but also lies in knowledge, lifestyle and the ability to spread positive energy to the community. That journey helped the young girl become more mature, appreciate every experience and see her own value more deeply and maturely.

Dieu Thuong was once a beauty pageant contestant (Photo: NVCC)

Looking back on her past, the 29-year-old valedictorian shared that the most valuable thing she received was not the degree or title, but maturity and the belief that it is never too late to start over.

“The important thing is that you have a dream and believe that you can do it. Then, every step, no matter how small, will bring you closer to what you want, ” said Dieu Thuong.

Dieu Thuong is currently pursuing a master’s degree and continues to pursue a career in education. She hopes to inspire young women to learn and develop themselves, spreading the spirit of “learning to change your life” like the journey she has been on.

Thu Trang

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/bo-nghe-tiep-vien-hang-khong-me-mot-con-thanh-thu-khoa-dai-hoc-ar969379.html