My mother had passionately told me, “We will go to America for the American dream.” Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, education was just a statement to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of high school and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, living in the countryside of Vietnam, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors often told me I was “sướng” or lucky to have sugar because it correlates to the rich. The irony of it was, the rice was stale, while the sugar was infected with ants. Neither my older brothers nor sisters ever tried fixing the problem with our recurring molds around the house. This routine of cleaning and mopping our house to clean molds was a constant reminder of my lifestyle back in Vietnam. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were friends that come and go, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across our concrete floors. Upon coming to the US, I had firsthand experienced the cultural shock between Vietnam and the States. My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were girls who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage, just like my mother had. For 10 years, my mentality has changed me to be a better version of myself; I, who had lived a rigorous lifestyle, believe in a safe and clean environment. I am passionate about achieving an upbringing for the Vietnamese people, especially for my family members; this has led me to join our Vietnamese church community to assist in teaching Vietnamese children about their heritage and religion. My uncles, who have developed asthma during their lifetime, are continuously battling against the harsh environments in the hospitals. Using technical advances and modernized technologies, I want to create a wave of clean water and air. Creating a technology, such as a water purification creation powered by natural resources, can assist in the process of achieving both clean air and water. Starting with achieving my education as an engineer, I can then proceed to take the next big and life-changing steps. Firsthand fixing the environment of the developing country in which I had come from, continuously motivates me to overcome challenging and difficult obstacles

My mother had passionately told me, “We will go to America for the American dream.” Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, education was just a statement to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of high school and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, living in the countryside of Vietnam, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors often told me I was “sướng” or lucky to have sugar because it correlates to the rich. The irony of it was, the rice was stale, while the sugar was infected with ants. Neither my older brothers nor sisters ever tried fixing the problem with our recurring molds around the house. This routine of cleaning and mopping our house to clean molds was a constant reminder of my lifestyle back in Vietnam. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were friends that come and go, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across our concrete floors. Upon coming to the US, I had firsthand experienced the cultural shock between Vietnam and the States. My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were girls who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage, just like my mother had. For 10 years, my mentality has changed me to be a better version of myself; I, who had lived a rigorous lifestyle, believe in a safe and clean environment. I am passionate about achieving an upbringing for the Vietnamese people, especially for my family members; this has led me to join our Vietnamese church community to assist in teaching Vietnamese children about their heritage and religion. My uncles, who have developed asthma during their lifetime, are continuously battling against the harsh environments in the hospitals. Using technical advances and modernized technologies, I want to create a wave of clean water and air. Creating a technology, such as a water purification creation powered by natural resources, can assist in the process of achieving both clean air and water. Starting with achieving my education as an engineer, I can then proceed to take the next big and life-changing steps. Firsthand fixing the environment of the developing country in which I had come from, continuously motivates me to overcome challenging and difficult obstacles

My mother had passionately told me, “We will go to America for the American dream.” Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, education was just a statement to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of high school and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, living in the countryside of Vietnam, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors often told me I was “sướng” or lucky to have sugar because it correlates to the rich. The irony of it was, the rice was stale, while the sugar was infected with ants. Neither my older brothers nor sisters ever tried fixing the problem with our recurring molds around the house. This routine of cleaning and mopping our house to clean molds was a constant reminder of my lifestyle back in Vietnam. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were friends that come and go, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across our concrete floors. Upon coming to the US, I had firsthand experienced the cultural shock between Vietnam and the States. My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were girls who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage, just like my mother had. For 10 years, my mentality has changed me to be a better version of myself; I, who had lived a rigorous lifestyle, believe in a safe and clean environment. I am passionate about achieving an upbringing for the Vietnamese people, especially for my family members; this has led me to join our Vietnamese church community to assist in teaching Vietnamese children about their heritage and religion. My uncles, who have developed asthma during their lifetime, are continuously battling against the harsh environments in the hospitals. Using technical advances and modernized technologies, I want to create a wave of clean water and air. Creating a technology, such as a water purification creation powered by natural resources, can assist in the process of achieving both clean air and water. Starting with achieving my education as an engineer, I can then proceed to take the next big and life-changing steps. Firsthand fixing the environment of the developing country in which I had come from, continuously motivates me to overcome challenging and difficult obstacles

My mother had passionately told me, “We will go to America for the American dream.” Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, education was just a statement to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of high school and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, living in the countryside of Vietnam, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors often told me I was “sướng” or lucky to have sugar because it correlates to the rich. The irony of it was, the rice was stale, while the sugar was infected with ants. Neither my older brothers nor sisters ever tried fixing the problem with our recurring molds around the house. This routine of cleaning and mopping our house to clean molds was a constant reminder of my lifestyle back in Vietnam. Upon coming to the US, I had firsthand experienced the cultural shock between Vietnam and the States. My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were girls who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage, just like my mother had. For 10 years, my mentality has changed me to be a better version of myself; I, who had lived a rigorous lifestyle, believe in a safe and clean environment. I am passionate about achieving an upbringing for the Vietnamese people, especially for my family members; this has led me to join our Vietnamese church community to assist in teaching Vietnamese children about their heritage and religion. My uncles, who have developed asthma during their lifetime, are continuously battling against the harsh environments in the hospitals. Using technical advances and modernized technologies, I want to create a wave of clean water and air. Creating a technology, such as a water purification creation powered by natural resources, can assist in the process of achieving both clean air and water. Starting with achieving my education as an engineer, I can then proceed to take the next big and life-changing steps. Firsthand fixing the environment of the developing country in which I had come from, continuously motivates me to overcome challenging and difficult obstacles

My mother had passionately told me, “We will go to America for the American dream.” Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, education was just a statement to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of high school and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, living in the countryside of Vietnam, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors often told me I was “sướng” or lucky to have sugar because it correlates to the rich. The irony of it was, the rice was stale, while the sugar was infected with ants. Neither my older brothers nor sisters ever tried fixing the problem with our recurring molds around the house. This routine of cleaning and mopping our house to clean molds was a constant reminder of my lifestyle back in Vietnam. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were friends that come and go, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across our concrete floors. Upon coming to the US, I had firsthand experienced the cultural shock between Vietnam and the States. My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were girls who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage, just like my mother had. For 10 years, my mentality has changed me to be a better version of myself; I, who had lived a rigorous lifestyle, believe in a safe and clean environment. I am passionate about achieving an upbringing for the Vietnamese people, especially for my family members; this has led me to join our Vietnamese church community to assist in teaching Vietnamese children about their heritage and religion. My uncles, who have developed asthma during their lifetime, are continuously battling against the harsh environments in the hospitals. Using technical advances and modernized technologies, I want to create a wave of clean water and air. Creating a technology, such as a water purification creation powered by natural resources, can assist in the process of achieving both clean air and water. If I had the money and resources, I will start with achieving my education as an engineer, which I will then proceed to take the next big and life-changing steps. Firsthand fixing the environment of the developing country in which I had come from, continuously motivates me to overcome challenging and difficult obstacles

My mother had passionately told me, “We will go to America for the American dream.” Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, education was just a statement to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of high school and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, living in the countryside of Vietnam, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors often told me I was “sướng” or lucky to have sugar because it correlates to the rich. The irony of it was, the rice was stale, while the sugar was infected with ants. Neither my older brothers nor sisters ever tried fixing the problem with our recurring molds around the house. This routine of cleaning and mopping our house to clean molds was a constant reminder of my lifestyle back in Vietnam. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were friends that come and go, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across our concrete floors. Upon coming to the US, I had firsthand experienced the cultural shock between Vietnam and the States. My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were girls who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage, just like my mother had. For 10 years, my mentality has changed me to be a better version of myself; I, who had lived a rigorous lifestyle, believe in a safe and clean environment. I am passionate about achieving an upbringing for the Vietnamese people, especially for my family members; this has led me to join our Vietnamese church community to assist in teaching Vietnamese children about their heritage and religion. My uncles, who have developed asthma during their lifetime, are continuously battling against the harsh environments in the hospitals. Using technical advances and modernized technologies, I want to create a wave of clean water and air. Creating a technology, such as a water purification creation powered by natural resources, can assist in the process of achieving both clean air and water. Starting with achieving my education as an engineer, I can then proceed to take the next big and life-changing steps. Firsthand fixing the environment of the developing country in which I had come from, continuously motivates me to overcome challenging and difficult obstacles

My mother had passionately told me,“We will go to America for the American dream.”. Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, an education was just an addition to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of highschool and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors told me I was “sướng” or fortunate to have sugar. The rice was sometimes stale, while the sugar had always been infected with ants. It did not bother me since I became used to this colonization, so I dusted off the ants and began pouring myself a small bowl of sugar. Another favorite meal of mine, a Vietnamese classic- spring rolls, was a meal eaten 3-4 times a month. Only in celebrations do we get to eat such luxury foods with beef that cost half a week's of my parents salary. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were a friend that comes and goes, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across our concrete floors. When I came to the US, there were mandatory vaccinations to “keep the people safe”. Were we considered an infection? Is it because I’d eaten on the floors with no shoes, or is it because I had eaten a rice ball that's fallen into the dirt because it was my lunch? My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were girls who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage, just like my mother had. My mother had taken me here for a better educational opportunity, because she believed an education can help me escape this rigorous life. But what about the kids who were just like me? Eating away the bugs in their spring rolls for nutrients and getting sick because of the water. I believe in a safe and clean environment. And as a woman I want to achieve that for the Vietnamese people, especially those from the countryside, and advocate for women’s rights. Did you know women are being shamed for their failures, blaming it on their mothers, as the saying goes, “con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà” a derogatory for women that is common used by the Vietnamese people? With my engineering career as a woman, it will be my first big step into achieving this goal. To firsthand fix the environment of the third world country in which I had come from, and fix the mindsets and advocate for women’s rights; away from the patriarchy.

My mother had passionately told me,“We will go to America for the American dream.”. Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, an education was just an addition to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of highschool and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors told me I was “sướng” or fortunate to have sugar. The rice was sometimes stale, while the sugar had always been infected with ants. It did not bother me since I became used to this colonization, so I dusted off the ants and began pouring myself a small bowl of sugar. Another favorite meal of mine, a Vietnamese classic- spring rolls, was a meal eaten 3-4 times a month. Only in celebrations do we get to eat such luxury foods with beef that cost half a week's of my parents salary. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were a friend that comes and goes, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across our concrete floors. When I came to the US, there were mandatory vaccinations to “keep the people safe”. Were we considered an infection? Is it because I’d eaten on the floors with no shoes, or is it because I had eaten a rice ball that's fallen into the dirt because it was my lunch? My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were girls who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage, just like my mother had. My mother had taken me here for a better educational opportunity, because she believed an education can help me escape this rigorous life. But what about the kids who were just like me? Eating away the bugs in their spring rolls for nutrients and getting sick because of the water. I believe in a safe and clean environment. And as a woman I want to achieve that for the Vietnamese people, especially those from the countryside, and advocate for women’s rights. Did you know women are being shamed for their failures, blaming it on their mothers, as the saying goes, “con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà” a derogatory for women that is common used by the Vietnamese people? With my engineering career as a woman, it will be my first big step into achieving this goal. To firsthand fix the environment of the third world country in which I had come from, and fix the mindsets and advocate for women’s rights; away from the patriarchy.

“We will go to America for the American dream,” my mother passionately told me. Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, an education was just an addition to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of highschool and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors told me I was “sướng” or fortunate to have sugar. The rice was sometimes stale, while the sugar had always been infected with ants. It did not bother me since I became used to this colonization, so I dusted off the ants and began pouring myself a small bowl of sugar. Another favorite meal of mine, a Vietnamese classic- spring rolls, was a meal eaten 3-4 times a month. Only in celebrations do we get to eat such luxury foods with beef that cost 5$ a kg, about 100 dong. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were a friend that comes and goes, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across my concrete floors. When I came to the US, there were mandatory vaccinations to “keep the people safe”. Are we considered an infection? Is it because I’d eaten on the floors with no shoes, or is it because I had eaten a rice ball that's fallen into the dirt because it was my lunch? My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were those who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage. My mother had taken me here for a better educational opportunity, because she believed an education can help me escape this rigorous life. But what about the kids who were just like me? Eating away the bugs in their spring rolls for nutrients and getting sick because of the water. I believe in a safe and clean environment. And as a woman I want to achieve that for the Vietnamese people, especially those from the countryside, and advocate for women’s rights. Did you know women are being shamed for their failures, blaming it on their mothers, as the saying goes, “con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà” a derogatory for women? With my engineering career as a woman, it will be my first big step into achieving this goal. To firsthand fix the environment of those already dying, and fix the mindsets and advocate for women’s rights; from the patriarchy.

“We will go to America for the American dream,” my mother passionately told me. Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, an education was just an addition to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of highschool and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors told me I was “sướng” or fortunate to have sugar. The rice was sometimes stale, while the sugar had always been infected with ants. It did not bother me since I became used to this colonization, so I dusted off the ants and began pouring myself a small bowl of sugar. Another favorite meal of mine, a Vietnamese classic- spring rolls, was a meal eaten 3-4 times a month. Only in celebrations do we get to eat such luxury foods with beef that cost 5$ a kg, about 100 dong. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were a friend that comes and goes, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across my concrete floors. When I came to the US, there were mandatory vaccinations to “keep the people safe”. Are we considered an infection? Is it because I’d eaten on the floors with no shoes, or is it because I had eaten a rice ball that's fallen into the dirt because it was my lunch? My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were those who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage. My mother had taken me here for a better educational opportunity, because she believed an education can help me escape this rigorous life. But what about the kids who were just like me? Eating away the bugs in their spring rolls for nutrients and getting sick because of the water. I believe in a safe and clean environment. And as a woman I want to achieve that for the Vietnamese people, especially those from the countryside, and advocate for women’s rights. Did you know women are being shamed for their failures, blaming it on their mothers, as the saying goes, “con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà” a derogatory for women? With my engineering career as a woman, it will be my first big step into achieving this goal. To firsthand fix the environment of those already dying, and fix the mindsets and advocate for women’s rights; from the patriarchy.

“We will go to America for the American dream,” my mother passionately told me. Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, an education was just an addition to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of highschool and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors told me I was “sướng” or fortunate to have sugar. The rice was sometimes stale, while the sugar had always been infected with ants. It did not bother me since I became used to this colonization, so I dusted off the ants and began pouring myself a small bowl of sugar. Another favorite meal of mine, a Vietnamese classic- spring rolls, was a meal eaten 3-4 times a month. Only in celebrations do we get to eat such luxury foods with beef that cost 5$ a kg, about 100 dong. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were a friend that comes and goes, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across my concrete floors. When I came to the US, there were mandatory vaccinations to “keep the people safe”. Are we considered an infection? Is it because I’d eaten on the floors with no shoes, or is it because I had eaten a rice ball that's fallen into the dirt because it was my lunch? My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were those who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage. My mother had taken me here for a better educational opportunity, because she believed an education can help me escape this rigorous life. But what about the kids who were just like me? Eating away the bugs in their spring rolls for nutrients and getting sick because of the water. I believe in a safe and clean environment. And as a woman I want to achieve that for the Vietnamese people, especially those from the countryside, and advocate for women’s rights. Did you know women are being shamed for their failures, blaming it on their mothers, as the saying goes, “con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà” a derogatory for women? A scholarship like this not only helps me to take a step into my education, but a step for a passionate and confident future. Having an education is my biggest advantage and my first step to help my birth country. Not only will I hope to fix this patriarchy, but I also hope to fix the environment that has killed many many people.

When my mother was pregnant with me, she met up with her friend- a nun. Her name was Huyen, we called her sister Huyen, who was known for her gentle and graceful heart. Everyone loved her, especially my mom. When I was born my mother wanted me to have the same personality as sister Huyen, polite, calm, and be devoted to Catholicism. Yet I turned out the opposite. Like any other language, names have meanings. Unlike English, sometimes the names were used in a casual conversation. My name is an accent mark used in the Vietnamese language, while in Sino-Vietnamese, Huyen is a shade of black, often considered as the darkest of black. Vietnamese people often like to have names with beautiful meanings, and for that to happen, 2 words were often mixed together. My full name is Huyen Thai My Tran, but in Vietnam, it was written as: Tran Thai My Huyen. While “Thai” was not necessarily important, “My Huyen” was. In Sino-Vietnamese, ‘My Huyen” means a beautiful black, or the prettiest shade of black. When I heard the story of my name, being named after a sister, I thought it was “bs”. While I do believe they were influenced by her graceness, I strongly believe my father was swayed by the beautiful night that I was born. At around 11 pm, I was born into this world, and my father had called me the “prettiest shade”, intentionally calling me the most beautiful. Growing up, my relationship with my father was not the greatest. I never properly bonded with him, resulting in me having difficulties having a normal conversation. Though I’d often blame him for his negligence, I can not blame him for the fact that we were in dire need of financial stability and comfortable foods. Having 5 children to care for, there was a limited time for a child like me to get the attention that I was deeply deprived of. Yet, my name brings me back to reality. To be called “beautiful” is an language of love, and I truly believe that although my father could not give me all the attention I need, he loved me, As a woman of color, this gives me pride. It gives me the intention that although you can not say my name correctly, I am still the descendant of my father and mother. As a Vietnamese woman, I am proud of my Vietnamese heritage. And my name is proof of that.

“We will go to America for the American dream,” my mother passionately told me. Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, an education was just an addition to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of highschool and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors told me I was “sướng” or fortunate to have sugar. The rice was sometimes stale, while the sugar had always been infected with ants. It did not bother me since I became used to this colonization, so I dusted off the ants and began pouring myself a small bowl of sugar. Another favorite meal of mine, a Vietnamese classic- spring rolls, was a meal eaten 3-4 times a month. Only in celebrations do we get to eat such luxury foods with beef that cost 5$ a kg, about 100 dong. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were a friend that comes and goes, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across my concrete floors. When I came to the US, there were mandatory vaccinations to “keep the people safe”. Are we considered an infection? Is it because I’d eaten on the floors with no shoes, or is it because I had eaten a rice ball that's fallen into the dirt because it was my lunch? My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were those who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage. My mother had taken me here for a better educational opportunity, because she believed an education can help me escape this rigorous life. But what about the kids who were just like me? Eating away the bugs in their spring rolls for nutrients and getting sick because of the water. I believe in a safe and clean environment. And as a woman I want to achieve that for the Vietnamese people, especially those from the countryside, and advocate for women’s rights. Did you know women are being shamed for their failures, blaming it on their mothers, as the saying goes, “con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà” a derogatory for women? My strong emotional belonging and support for those struggling, especially women, in a third world country gives me a strong mentality to work hard and achieve only the greatest. While I may not have the necessary skill and achievements yet, I firmly believe in my future and the future my mother had supported me; to be in America for this American Dream.

“We will go to America for the American dream,” my mother passionately told me. Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, an education was just an addition to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of highschool and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors told me I was “sướng” or fortunate to have sugar. The rice was sometimes stale, while the sugar had always been infected with ants. It did not bother me since I became used to this colonization, so I dusted off the ants and began pouring myself a small bowl of sugar. Another favorite meal of mine, a Vietnamese classic- spring rolls, was a meal eaten 3-4 times a month. Only in celebrations do we get to eat such luxury foods with beef that cost 5$ a kg, about 100 dong. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were a friend that comes and goes, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across my concrete floors. When I came to the US, there were mandatory vaccinations to “keep the people safe”. Are we considered an infection? Is it because I’d eaten on the floors with no shoes, or is it because I had eaten a rice ball that's fallen into the dirt because it was my lunch? My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were those who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage. My mother had taken me here for a better educational opportunity, because she believed an education can help me escape this rigorous life. But what about the kids who were just like me? Eating away the bugs in their spring rolls for nutrients and getting sick because of the water. I believe in a safe and clean environment. And as a woman I want to achieve that for the Vietnamese people, especially those from the countryside, and advocate for women’s rights. Did you know women are being shamed for their failures, blaming it on their mothers, as the saying goes, “con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà” a derogatory for women? A scholarship like this not only helps me to take a step into my education, but a step for a passionate and confident future. Having an education is my biggest advantage and my first step to help my birth country. Not only will I hope to fix this patriarchy, but I also hope to fix the environment that have killed many many people

“We will go to America for the American dream,” my mother passionately told me. Growing up with the only goal to marry into a family that can financially support her, an education was just an addition to her profile. By 14, my mother dropped out of highschool and began helping her father with their coffee farms. Months later, she met my father. At 5 years old, sugar and white rice was my favorite meal; my neighbors told me I was “sướng” or fortunate to have sugar. The rice was sometimes stale, while the sugar had always been infected with ants. It did not bother me since I became used to this colonization, so I dusted off the ants and began pouring myself a small bowl of sugar. Another favorite meal of mine, a Vietnamese classic- spring rolls, was a meal eaten 3-4 times a month. Only in celebrations do we get to eat such luxury foods with beef that cost 5$ a kg, about 100 dong. I never understood why I had to drink from wells, why molds were a friend that comes and goes, and why I feel sick when running barefoot across my concrete floors. When I came to the US, there were mandatory vaccinations to “keep the people safe”. Are we considered an infection? Is it because I’d eaten on the floors with no shoes, or is it because I had eaten a rice ball that's fallen into the dirt because it was my lunch? My mother sat me down one day and said, “If you do not want to, we will not force you to return to Vietnam.” It saddened me. While I had the luxury to leave, there were those who were stuck; staying at home and waiting for marriage. My mother had taken me here for a better educational opportunity, because she believed an education can help me escape this rigorous life. But what about the kids who were just like me? Eating away the bugs in their spring rolls for nutrients and getting sick because of the water. I believe in a safe and clean environment. And as a woman I want to achieve that for the Vietnamese people, especially those from the countryside, and advocate for women’s rights. Did you know women are being shamed for their failures, blaming it on their mothers, as the saying goes, “con hư tại mẹ, cháu hư tại bà” a derogatory for women? With my engineering career as a woman, it will be my first big step into achieving this goal. To firsthand fix the environment of those already dying, and fix the mindsets and advocate for women’s rights; away from the patriarchy.

Growing up in an Asian household, modeling or photography wasn’t a choice of future jobs or careers we were able to pursuit. Not only was it considered a “hobby” to my parents, my confidence had never struck me to become a model. I’ve been interested in photography for so long, I had never realized how hard and confident you must be to stand in front of a camera. On that day, my sister’s boyfriend encouraged me not once, but more than 5 times to stand in front and pose because I was “perfect”. I was able to overcome a challenge.