It was a Thursday evening, and I had just finished some of the selection committee work for this year’s UWC application season. The process always leaves me energized and inspired, reminding me why I commit so much time and effort to this mission. Being part of the UWC Vietnam Selection Committee allows me to help discover the next generation of young leaders – students who will carry forward the values of courage, diversity, and service.
This year feels especially exciting. We are welcoming new members, exploring new outreach strategies, and rethinking how to ensure that students from every corner of Vietnam see themselves as worthy of applying. My reflections tonight capture the energy, challenges, and hopes I carry with me as we enter this new season of selection.
Working with Tung: A New Voice for Outreach
One of the highlights of this year is having Tung join our team. Tung is an influencer, a writer whose words resonate deeply with young people in Vietnam. His blog and unique style have earned him a large following, and personally, I have long admired his work.
He graduated a few years after me, and now brings his expertise in marketing to the selection committee. When I reviewed his marketing plan for the next few months, I was struck by its clarity and creativity. His strategy for the entire selection period – from the launch of applications to the final interviews – was designed to reach as many students as possible.
Our shared goal is simple: to ensure that more students from across Vietnam know about UWC and feel encouraged to apply. Over the years, we’ve seen that applications tend to come from major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. While those cities produce many strong candidates, there has been a lack of representation from smaller towns and rural provinces.
This imbalance is something we want to change. With Tung’s experience and network of influencer friends, we hope to reach students far beyond the big urban centers. We want them to know: your story matters, your courage matters, and you belong in this process.
Changing the Narrative: “You Are Enough”
One of the most important parts of our work is changing the internal narrative that stops so many students from applying. Time and again, I hear the same doubts from students:
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“I’m not smart enough.”
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“My grades aren’t high enough.”
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“I haven’t done enough activities to qualify.”
These voices of self-doubt are heartbreaking because they often prevent students from even filling out the application. Before anyone else has a chance to review their story, they have already checked themselves out.
Our committee is determined to change this message. UWC is not about being perfect – it is about showing potential, passion, and a willingness to grow. It is about courage, not just credentials. Students from small towns, villages, or underrepresented backgrounds should never feel that their circumstances disqualify them.
This year, our campaign emphasizes: as long as you have the desire, apply. We want to hear from you, learn about you, and learn with you.
I had a lovely discussion with Cat Thu, a friend and UWC Costa Rica alumnus, Chairwoman of the UWC Vietnam National Committee, covering that topic.
Brainstorming Essay Prompts: Encouraging Self-Discovery
Another part of today’s work was reflecting on the essay prompts we use in the application. Every year, our committee spends time crafting questions that allow students to explore themselves.
These prompts are not about testing grammar or formal writing. They create a window into a student’s mind and heart. We want to see how they reflect on challenges, how they dream about the future, and how they perceive the world around them.
The essays often become the most powerful part of the application. They allow us to glimpse the inner journey of each applicant. Some share deeply personal stories, others reveal creative visions, and many show resilience that moves us to tears.
This year, we are finalizing the essay prompts by the end of the month, so that applications can open on time. I feel genuinely pumped to see how students will respond and what new insights they will share through their words.
Living with Purpose: Why This Work Matters
As I reflect tonight, I realize how full my days feel. Between professional commitments, volunteering with the selection committee, and mentoring young people, I am constantly busy – but it’s the kind of busy that fills me with meaning.
I wake up each day motivated by the knowledge that I am contributing to something larger than myself. Helping students discover their voice, encouraging them to take risks, and reminding them of their potential feels like a mission I was meant to serve.
Of course, there are challenges. There are moments when resources feel limited, when students face barriers beyond our control, or when the workload feels heavy. But even on those days, I find myself grateful. The joy of giving back, the honor of guiding others, and the chance to see transformation unfold in front of me outweigh any struggles.
Closing Reflections: Pumped for the Future
As I close this Thursday evening, I feel pumped. Pumped about Tung’s creative outreach plan, pumped about the new essay prompts we are finalizing, and pumped about the ripple effects of students who carry the UWC spirit forward in their own unique ways.
The mission of UWC has always been about more than scholarships. It is about building a world where education is not limited by geography, income, or self-doubt. It is about encouraging students to step forward, take courage, and believe that their voice can make a difference.
Every reflection, every meeting, and every student story reminds me why I am here: to keep the mission alive, to expand opportunities, and to ensure that no student counts themselves out before they even begin.
And that’s a mission worth waking up for, every single day.