Spreading Vietnamese identity through small actions.

While studying abroad, Bao Nguyen joined many clubs, leading the international student association and cultural clubs at her school. She had many opportunities to share about Vietnamese culture.

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•27/06/2025

Nguyen Khanh Bao Nguyen (left) organizes charity activities when she returns to Vietnam to visit her family in the summer of 2024 - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Two years ago, Nguyen Khanh Bao Nguyen left her family to study in the United States. And the way this Vietnamese student filled the void of being alone in a foreign land was by participating in as many activities as possible and taking every opportunity to introduce Vietnam to others.

At The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, the 17-year-old girl currently serves as president of the Model United Nations (MUN) Club, head of the stage technical department and winter drama festival, president of the International Student Association, vice president of the school's Cultural Club, and also directs plays.

Here, I learned to value innovative solutions, foster informed citizenship, and build a humane culture of sharing. The value of teamwork is evident in finding new approaches to problems together, where collective effort is always required, not just from a single individual.

Becoming independent at age 15

* Having left home at the young age of 15, what were some of the challenges you overcame as a young girl?

Nguyen Khanh Bao Nguyen

- I guess the biggest challenge is homesickness and feeling lost in a foreign country. Many other international students, like me, miss home a lot, but their packed schedules leave little time to think about visiting family.

For me, overcoming those initial difficulties involved proactively organizing cultural events within my capabilities. This served both as a way to remind myself of my roots and as an opportunity to share the beauty of Vietnamese culture with international friends.

But I often call my family. I think the most important thing, even if you don't live far from your family, to remember is that there's no support system more valuable than family.

It's a place where your loved ones are always present, always listening, and ready to be with you no matter where you are.

* You're surprisingly energetic for your slender build, as you seem to take on so many roles. And what about your achievements?

- My energy comes from being involved in things I'm passionate about, working with friends and teachers. I can also say I'm fortunate to have been given the opportunity to hold leadership roles in many organizations at school, from academics to cultural clubs and theater groups... These positions have helped me realize how powerful a motivation passion can be.

At the same time, I also learned how to manage my time because there were meetings that lasted until late at night, or events that took place in the evenings during the week or on weekends. Through each extracurricular activity, I accumulated quite a few skills that greatly supported my academic journey.

My most profound experience so far is that learning is a never-ending process, and you can learn anywhere, anytime.

Writing is an opportunity to relax and find peace of mind.

* You've had quite a few articles published in the school magazine, haven't you?

- I've loved writing since I was a child because it's an activity that helps me feel relaxed and calm. Thanks to my regular writing habit, I've realized that the words on the page not only record what's happening but also convey my thoughts and emotions.

Journalism is just as important as knowledge, which is an invaluable asset if the message is conveyed effectively. From my personal experience, I've always thought that if someone truly wants to find valuable knowledge and information, journalism is always the quickest and easiest way to achieve this.

* As a Vietnamese girl living in a Western culture, how can I share Vietnamese culture with international friends, and will it be well-received?

- Through my leadership roles in the international student association and cultural clubs at school, I've had many opportunities to share Vietnamese culture with my friends in various ways. For example, I used to cook many Vietnamese dishes at school dinner parties so that friends from many countries could enjoy the familiar flavors that I grew up with, such as spring rolls and char siu sandwiches...

I also used to plan fashion events where the Vietnamese ao dai (traditional dress) was proudly showcased. I also took the opportunity to share and teach my friends many interesting things about the Vietnamese language and culture, which I consider very beautiful and something to be very proud of!

And the feedback I received? It was overwhelmingly positive. Many people eagerly asked when the next food event would be held. Some even asked me questions in Vietnamese or shared things they were curious about regarding our country.

The promise to return

* Going to school and returning home is what constitutes patriotism, don't you think?

- I am still on a journey of self-discovery and not entirely sure what field I will pursue in the future, but I know I have a knack for the social sciences . For me, studying abroad has never been a literal departure, but rather a promise to return with knowledge that can bring value to my community.

For me, bringing Vietnamese culture to the world and sharing it with other communities is a way of expressing my patriotism, something I do every day. And if in the future I can use what I've learned during these months to contribute to my homeland, that would be my ultimate goal.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lan-toa-ban-sac-viet-tu-nhung-viec-nho-20250625103501982.htm