In the stillness of the night, with a warm cup of lemon tea in hand and the gentle rustle of pages from journaling, I reflect on the day—a day filled with purpose, people, and personal growth. From supporting promising young students to preparing for an upcoming triathlon, life has a beautiful way of intertwining meaning with motion.
As a professional working in sustainability and energy efficiency, and a volunteer serving as Chairwoman of the UWC National Committee in Vietnam, my days are a balance of service, sport, and self-reflection. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that living fully means embracing the challenges as much as the moments of peace.
Supporting Dreams: Helping Students Access Global Education
Earlier tonight, I spoke with the parent of one of our selected UWC students. Despite the student having received a scholarship, the remaining costs for travel and accommodation posed a real challenge for the family. Understanding the weight of such a financial burden, our committee worked to negotiate an installment plan to ease their worries.
Joining me on the call was Khoa, a fellow committee member. Khoa is a full-time doctor by profession, and yet, he dedicates his evenings to volunteering with UWC. His commitment inspires me deeply—especially when his little daughter occasionally pops in during our meetings, singing sweetly to get his attention. It’s these small, human moments that remind me why we do this work: to create opportunities, to extend kindness, and to empower youth who deserve a chance to thrive.
The UWC (United World Colleges) movement is about values—intercultural understanding, peacebuilding, and personal initiative. As Chairwoman of the National Selection Committee this year, I feel a profound responsibility to help deserving students overcome barriers that stand between them and the transformative education UWC offers.
Below is the beautiful Vietnamese dance my friends and I performed at a cultural event at UWC Pearson College.
Triathlon Training: Embracing the Grind with Gratitude
Before the calls and meetings, my day began at dawn with a tempo run in Sala Urban Park. The sun had just risen, casting a soft orange glow over the path. Following the run, my team and I took a short coffee break—one of those quiet moments of bonding that always feels grounding before diving into the next challenge.
Next up was a technical swim session with my coaches. Every Wednesday and Friday, I train in both running and swimming. These sessions aren’t easy. They test not only my endurance but also my mental resilience. Still, I genuinely love being in the water, even though I’m still working hard to improve.
This morning, I practiced the frog style and noticed the sunlight dancing through the pool. It felt almost magical—like the world was whispering a little encouragement. Despite the sting from last weekend’s sunburn, the water felt healing. After an hour of drills focusing separately on arm and leg movements, I was finally allowed to combine the moves. It was tiring, but also rewarding.
Later, I learned a new skill: treading water. Known in swimming as “standing in the water,” it’s a technique used to stay afloat while remaining stationary. Mastering this is essential for open-water swimming—especially during triathlons. Coach Ni and Coach Hung patiently guided me through it and offered tips on improving my overall technique. Though I’m a bit anxious about the race coming up in a few weeks, I’m also excited. Training teaches me something new every day—about my body, my mind, and my limits.
Life at Work: Creating a Positive Environmental Impact
In between training and volunteering, my day job keeps me grounded in a different kind of mission: creating sustainable change. Currently, I’m working on several projects focused on improving energy efficiency in industrial parks. It’s a field that’s growing in urgency as we strive to reduce carbon footprints and transition to cleaner, greener practices.
What I love most about this work is that it aligns so closely with my values. Every project we complete contributes to a larger goal—combating climate change, increasing resource efficiency, and fostering responsible growth. It feels good to know that my work doesn’t just support companies, but the planet as well.
Working in sustainability is a journey filled with both rewarding wins and complex challenges—just like training for a triathlon or mentoring a student through financial difficulties. But that’s the beauty of it: every effort counts. Whether it’s helping a student board a plane to a better future, completing a tough swim drill, or launching an eco-efficient energy project, it all adds up to a life lived with purpose.
Finding Peace in the Pace
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pace of modern life—training schedules, work deadlines, volunteer commitments. But I’ve found that slowing down, even briefly, helps me stay connected to what truly matters. My journaling practice, usually done at night with a warm drink, is one of those grounding rituals. It gives me space to reflect, to breathe, and to be grateful.
Gratitude is a powerful force. I feel it when a student’s parent thanks me for listening. I feel it when I see my coaches investing their time to help me get better. I feel it when a tired body still wakes up for morning training because the heart is full of determination. I feel it in my work, where every energy audit, every carbon reduction plan, is a small win for our collective future.
Living Fully, With Heart
There’s a quote I love: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
In many ways, this quote mirrors my own values. I want to live fully—not just for myself, but for those around me. For students with big dreams but limited means. For the environment that gives us life. For my own well-being, as I push past physical limits and rediscover my strength.
We don’t need to choose between ambition and compassion, between work and well-being. Life is not an either/or. It’s a dance between dedication and self-care, between pushing forward and pausing to breathe. And in that dance, I’ve found a rhythm that feels right.