After more than 2 years of coming to the USA for her studies in the combined Masters’ program in Communications and Project Management, Duong Nguyen Tue Giang, a former student of the Da Nang University of Foreign Languages, ​​has been working at the International Student Office of the Missouri State University and has become the President of the Vietnamese International Student Association in Springfield City, the State of Missouri.

Duong Nguyen Tue Giang (second from the right in the middle row) and international students around the world integrate into the American school environment.

Giang entered a Double Master's program in Communications and Project Management at the Missouri State University in December 2020. She used to participate in English speaking competitions while studying in the Da Nang University of Foreign Languages so she quickly adapted to the new learning environment in the USA. Giang has earned the trust of Vietnamese students who are studying in the city of Springfield, and has been elected President of Vietnamese International Student Association there as she is dynamic and enthusiastic person.

At this position, Giang has organized many meaningful activities in a bid to help Vietnamese international students in the city of Springfield to join traditional Tet fun activities, participate in Vietnamese banquets, Vietnamese shows, cultural and culinary festivals, and other events there. Furthermore, she and other Vietnamese international students have also showed off their skills by cooking Vietnamese dishes to invite their foreign friends to try.

While working at the International Student Office of the Missouri State University, Giang has built close relationships with friends from around the world such as the USA, China, Brazil, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Bangladesh, South Korea, Canada and Japan.

The Missouri State University can accommodate around 25,000 students, and it welcomes 700 to 800 international students every year. International students will get a free consultation from staff of the school’s the International Student Office on psychology, housing, settlement, visa interviews, jobs, English practice, tutors and more. Besides, the International Student Office regularly organizes a series of events to connect with local communities and introduce different cultures around the world. Hence, Giang has a chance to introduce Vietnamese culture to Springfield city’s residents through the organization of these activities.

The eagerness of the American primary school pupils to learn about conical hats, traditional costumes, living habits and study habits of Vietnamese people has made Giang happy. Giang said that she had read many documents about Vietnamese culture, observed real life situations, and gained practical experience in an attempt to confidently introduce Vietnamese culture to international friends.

“I often introduce about traditional costumes, typical dishes, and traditional craft villages in Viet Nam, the hospitality of Vietnamese people, Tet customs of Viet Nam, and treating the elderly with respect and dignity in the country when I have a chance to introduce Vietnamese culture to the American citizens. Besides, I also directly introduce best tourist attractions in Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, to local communities instead of just hearing or seeing these sites somewhere on the internet. I mostly like to see the initiative of the American primary school pupils to raise their hands continuously to ask questions. Many of their questions are very innocent and lovely, and I always find best ways to help them understand more about Vietnamese culture," Giang remarked.

Compliments for her from American citizens while she is wearing Ao Dai help Giang feel more confident to introduce the Vietnamese traditional dress. Such a event gives her the great opportunity to promote Vietnamese culture to the international community. The participation of Vietnamese international students in the USA in cross-cultural activities help them easily integrate into the local community, as well as fight racism and discrimination in the international learning environment.

Reporting by THIEN LAM – Translating by H.L