Riding Through the Storm: Finding Strength and Gratitude in the Rain

Cold mountains

The Morning That Began in Shadows The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the heaviness in my chest. The night had been restless – coughs breaking my sleep, leaving me foggy and worn out. Most people would have chosen to rest a little longer, to delay the alarm, to give in. But […]

How to Set Goals That Actually Motivate You

Set goals

A Little Story to Start With One January evening in my first year of university, I sat at my dorm desk staring at a brand-new planner. The kind with crisp white pages that smelled like possibility. I told myself: “This year, I’m going to change my life.” Within an hour, I had filled the notebook […]

5 Habits That Changed My Life Before 20

Habits

The Morning I Realized Habits Were Everything I still remember a morning back in high school when I was cramming for an exam. I had a half-eaten bánh mì on my desk, an iced coffee sweating all over my notes, and my brain running in circles. It hit me: I can’t keep living like this. […]

Atomic Habits for Students: How to Build Better Study and Life Routines

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Why Small Habits Matter More Than Big Goals Have you ever promised yourself at the beginning of the school year that this time, I’ll stay on top of my homework, read more, and not pull all-nighters – only to end up back in the same cycle a few weeks later?Yeah, same here many years ago. […]

Empowering Youth Through UWC: Reflections From the Selection Committee

UWC Selection

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 […]

Finding Joy in Everyday Moments: Training, Rain, and Purpose

A gentle reminder

Life is rarely about grand milestones alone. More often, it is about the small moments – the run that tests your lungs, the drizzle that softens a heavy day, or the conversations that remind you of a bigger purpose. Today was one of those days for me. It began with a difficult training session after […]

Rediscovering The Lord of the Rings: A Personal Journey Through Middle-earth and Life

Lord of the rings

My First Encounter with Middle-earth There are some stories that never leave us. For me, The Lord of the Rings has always been one of those. I first encountered J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece not through the books, but through the films. I was studying in Canada at the time, far from home, trying to adjust to […]

5 Mindfulness Books That Can Change Your Life Forever

Reading books

My Journey into Mindfulness My first encounter with mindfulness was back in 2011, when I was studying in Canada. Time at yoga classes by Nina introduced me to meditation, and I remember sitting quietly, focusing on my breath for the very first time. At that point, I didn’t fully understand what mindfulness was, but something […]

Tate Modern: A Journey Through London’s Iconic Modern Art Museum

Tate Modern

From the City to the Southbank I still remember my early years working in the City of London, when my first job at Neudata had its office right across from the Bank of England. The hustle of bankers in sharp suits, the historic architecture, and the buzzing rhythm of London life all became part of […]