Introduction
When people ask me what experience changed my life the most, I always go back to the same memory: the day I boarded a plane at 17 years old and flew across the world from Vietnam to Canada. I was heading to Pearson College UWC, one of the schools in the United World Colleges (UWC) network. That moment marked not just my first time on a plane, but also the beginning of the most transformative two years of my life.
Even after studying in the U.S. and the U.K., and traveling across continents, my time at UWC remains the most meaningful chapter of my youth. It shaped the way I learn, think, feel, and see the world. In this post, I want to share that journey—and the powerful lessons I learned at 17 that continue to guide me today.
First Time on a Plane: A Leap into the Unknown
I still remember it so clearly—the nervous excitement, the buzz of the airport, and the sheer wonder of being on a plane for the first time. At 17, leaving Vietnam on my own felt both scary and thrilling. I was just a kid with a suitcase and a head full of dreams.
Landing in Canada, everything felt new. The air was different. The people looked different. Yet, the warmth I received immediately made me feel at home. David, the school director, and a group of second-year students were there to welcome us at the airport. One of them handed me his phone and said, “Call your parents.” It was such a small gesture—but it meant everything.
On the ride to campus, they asked me about my life, told me stories about the school, and made sure I felt included. That moment, I felt the UWC magic begin.
A Campus Unlike Any Other
Pearson College is still the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived. Nestled between ocean and forest on Vancouver Island, the campus felt like a dream. But it wasn’t just the scenery—it was the people.
On my first day, I stepped out of the car and was greeted with hugs, big smiles, and so many accents I had never heard before. Students from over 100 countries came together to live, learn, and grow in this tiny corner of Canada. My room had five students, each from a different continent. For the first time, I was truly part of a global community.
Learning to Learn: Asking Questions and Thinking Critically
Back in Vietnam, asking too many questions in class was sometimes seen as disrespectful or disruptive. But at UWC, asking questions was encouraged—even expected. Our teachers didn’t just teach us facts—they taught us how to think.
Subjects like Economics and Philosophy were completely new to me. I had never studied them before, and at first, I was nervous. But slowly, I realized it wasn’t about getting everything right—it was about learning how to approach a subject, ask the right questions, and apply what we learned to real-world problems.
That shift in mindset changed my academic journey forever. It helped me thrive in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and later carry that same spirit into my undergraduate and graduate studies. More than grades or exams, I learned how to learn—a skill that has stayed with me to this day.
Courage Is Contagious
One of the most unforgettable people I met at Pearson was Marta from Ethiopia. Marta is blind. She arrived a few months before school started to get used to the campus, which is built on uneven, hilly ground. She used her white cane to learn every path, every corner—step by step.
Watching her navigate the world with such determination and grace deeply moved me. Marta was not just smart; she was driven. She had big dreams—not just for herself, but for her community back home. Her courage lit a fire inside me.
If she could push through those challenges with such passion, what excuse did I have? She taught me that being alive is already a gift—and we should never waste that gift. From Marta, I learned that courage is not about having no fear—it’s about acting despite it.
Breaking Free from Old Beliefs
Growing up, many of us are handed beliefs—about who we are, who we should be, and what to think about others. UWC challenged all of that.
At Pearson, I met students from countries with histories of conflict. People who were “supposed” to be enemies became best friends. I saw Israelis and Palestinians study together, share meals, and support each other. I saw students from opposite sides of political conflicts laugh and cry together.
That experience shattered many of the assumptions I had carried with me from home. It taught me that most of our beliefs are shaped by our environment—and if we’re not careful, they can limit our ability to connect with others and grow as individuals.
At 17, I began to question everything. Not to rebel, but to seek understanding. And that curiosity has stayed with me ever since.
I got to perform a Vietnamese dance to share about our culture with friends from 100+ countries
The Lessons I Carried with Me
Looking back, here are the three most important lessons I learned at UWC that still guide me every day:
1. Embrace Diversity
Cultural differences are not barriers—they’re bridges. Living with people from different backgrounds taught me to see the world through many lenses. It helped me develop empathy, patience, and the ability to listen deeply.
2. Learn with Curiosity
At UWC, I didn’t just memorize content—I learned how to learn. That habit of active curiosity has helped me tackle every new challenge, whether it’s in academics, my professional life, or personal growth.
3. Be Courageous
Courage shows up in many forms: speaking up when you feel small, trying something new, or simply continuing when things get hard. People like Marta showed me that every act of bravery adds up—and that bravery is contagious.
How UWC Shaped My Life Beyond School
After UWC, I studied in the U.S. and later in the U.K. I worked in different sectors, traveled across the world, and now I lead sustainability and education projects across Vietnam.
But the roots of everything I do now can be traced back to Pearson. The way I build teams, the way I ask questions in meetings, the way I approach social impact—all come from the UWC values I absorbed at 17.
Today, I mentor students. I work with young changemakers through the Vietnam Youth Leadership Initiative. I speak at events to encourage youth to believe in themselves. And I’ve created Sunny Valley, a space for sharing ideas, practices, and stories about living with intention.
My biggest hope? That my story can show other young people in Vietnam—and around the world—that they can do it too.
A Message to Young Dreamers
If you’re 16 or 17 and reading this, wondering if you should apply to UWC, or take a leap for something big—do it.
It won’t be easy. You’ll be far from home. You’ll be challenged in ways you never imagined. But you’ll also grow. You’ll meet people who change your life. You’ll discover parts of yourself you never knew existed.
And one day, you’ll look back and realize: That was the moment it all began.
My journey to UWC started with a single flight from Hanoi to Vancouver Island—but it took me far beyond that. It opened my mind, expanded my heart, and gave me the courage to live fully and intentionally.
I’ll never forget the feeling of arriving at Pearson: nervous, excited, and unsure. And I’ll always carry the lessons I learned there with me—about humanity, humility, and hope.
To any young person reading this: Your dreams are valid. Your voice matters. And your journey can start today.