A Lovely Friday Evening
Such a nice, lovely Friday evening. The week had been full, but as I wrapped up my commitments at 6 PM, I felt a sense of lightness. The evening was mine to enjoy, and I had dinner plans with my good friend Sascha.
Sascha is also a UWC alumnus. We met a few years ago when I first moved back to Vietnam, introduced through our mutual friend, Sam. We hadn’t met in about 18 months. That made our reunion even more special.
We chose a quiet place for dinner, somewhere we could talk at length without rushing. What was meant to be a casual meal turned into a long conversation. We spoke about his new startup idea, our journeys over the past few years, and the ways life had shaped us. It felt grounding, like reconnecting with a piece of shared history.
As I sat there, enjoying our conversation, I felt deeply grateful not only for the friendship itself but also for the opportunities in my life that had made such connections possible.
Grateful for UWC and the Opportunities It Opened
That evening, gratitude led my thoughts back to UWC – United World Colleges. Without UWC, my life would have taken a very different direction. Because of UWC, I received the chance to study in the United States on a full scholarship supported by the David Shelby program.
That scholarship didn’t just cover tuition. It opened a whole new chapter of my life. It brought me into an environment of global peers, exposed me to new perspectives, and gave me the tools to dream bigger. Even now, years later, I feel humbled when I reflect on how much those opportunities shaped me.
I am especially grateful for the David Shelby Scholarship. The David Shelby Scholarship Program is designed to support promising students from around the world with full financial aid to pursue higher education in the United States. It is part of Mr. Shelby’s vision to make education accessible to talented young people regardless of their financial background. Each year, students from different countries are selected to attend partner universities, where they not only receive tuition and living support but also become part of a global network of more than 4,000 scholarship recipients. This program is much more than financial assistance – it represents an investment in future leaders, encouraging them to learn, grow, and eventually give back to their communities. The program is a belief in young people and their potential to create meaningful change in the world.
Meeting Mr. Shelby for the First Time
I still remember vividly the first time I met Mr. Shelby himself. It was in 2018, during my very first semester at Skidmore College. I had just arrived in the U.S. in August, and by September, there was already excitement on campus – Mr. Shelby was visiting.
A dinner was organized for him to meet students from the scholarship program. I remember my nerves, my excitement, and the surreal feeling of meeting the person whose vision and generosity had opened the door to my future.
That evening, he shared his life mantra, one that has stayed with me ever since: “Learn, Earn, Return.”
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The first 30 years of life: learn as much as possible.
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The next 30 years: earn, build a career, and grow financially.
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The final 30 years: return—give back to society, support others, and share what you have gained.
This philosophy struck me deeply. It wasn’t just words; he was living proof of it. He had learned, he had earned, and now he was returning—through building scholarship programs, supporting students, and giving away so much of his wealth for others to benefit.
The Power of Living by “Learn, Earn, Return”
Over time, those three simple words became a compass for me. They shaped how I saw education, work, and responsibility. They reminded me that success isn’t measured only by what we accumulate, but by what we contribute.
Even now, when I face career decisions or think about my long-term goals, I often come back to Mr. Shelby’s mantra. It grounds me, reminding me that whatever I achieve, it is incomplete unless it also uplifts others.
Meeting Him Again in London
Years later, I was fortunate enough to meet him again, this time in London. At that point, I was volunteering at the UWC headquarters, working on a few projects before starting my next job.
When I heard that Mr. Shelby and his wife were in town, I was thrilled. Meeting them again felt like life coming full circle. He had aged, of course, but his energy, kindness, and vision remained unchanged. Together with his wife, he spoke about their ongoing efforts to expand their giving and to support more projects worldwide.
I was struck once again by the consistency of their philosophy: giving wasn’t something occasional or performative. For them, it was a way of living.
Inspired by a Life of Giving
That encounter in London left me deeply inspired. It reminded me that giving doesn’t need to be grandiose. It can be consistent, humble, and rooted in kindness. Mr. Shelby and his family embodied that truth – living simply, staying close to people, and channeling their resources to build opportunities for others.
It made me realize that I, too, want to live that way. Even if I cannot yet give financially at the same scale, I can give my time, my energy, and my support. And one day, when I am able, I want to give even more.
The Circle of Gratitude and Giving
That same evening after dinner with Sascha, I received a call from Binh An – one of the UWC finalists from two years ago. She asked if I could mentor her for her upcoming TEDx student program. Without hesitation, I said yes.
It felt almost symbolic – spending the evening reflecting on the opportunities I had received, and then immediately being given a chance to pass something forward.
I remembered her journey clearly. She had applied before and didn’t make it the first time. Yet she came back, stronger, more determined, and on her second attempt, she succeeded. We offered her a place at UWC Costa Rica, and seeing her growth since then has been inspiring.
Now, she was creating something of her own, a TEDx program, and reaching back out to me for guidance. That moment reminded me that giving back doesn’t always mean financial contributions. Sometimes, the most valuable gift you can give is mentorship, encouragement, and belief in someone’s potential.
Mentorship Matters
When I was younger, mentors shaped my path in ways I couldn’t see at the time. Their encouragement, advice, and examples helped me navigate challenges and opportunities.
Now, being on the other side, I feel the responsibility to do the same for the next generation. Supporting students isn’t just about helping them succeed academically—it’s about helping them believe in themselves, recognize their strengths, and take bold steps forward.
Mentorship is part of the cycle of gratitude. Just as others supported me, I now have the chance to support others. It feels less like an obligation and more like a continuation of something larger than myself.
As the night came to an end, I felt a profound sense of gratitude. Grateful for Sascha and the joy of reconnecting. Grateful for UWC and the David Shelby Scholarship that changed my life. Grateful for the chance to meet and learn from Mr. Shelby, whose life mantra continues to guide me. And grateful for the chance to give back, even in small ways, to students following similar paths.
That evening reminded me of something simple but powerful: life is richer when we connect, when we give, and when we remain grateful for the journey.
