DUE’s Women of Distinction: Embracing My Identity, Reaching for New Horizons

My name is Nguyen Anh Duong, and I am a student in class 49K01.2E at the Faculty of Tourism and International Business. I am drawn to places I have never visited and cultures I have yet to experience. The more I explore, the more I want to travel further, learn more and challenge myself to do things I once never thought possible.

As class monitor, I have had opportunities to connect with my peers, learn to collaborate and take greater initiative in my work. But what I am most proud of is not a title or a particular achievement; it is the courage to step outside my comfort zone. I once applied for an opportunity to travel to a new continent, study in an unfamiliar country and adapt independently to an entirely different environment. Some things went smoothly, while others did not turn out as expected. At least I gave myself the chance to experience them.

At DUE, I have been fortunate to study at UCAM University in Spain and am currently participating in the Fast Track 3+2 IMBA programme at Ming Chi University of Technology. I have also taken part in international exchange activities, including an opportunity to meet the crew of the Royal Canadian Navy ship HMCS Charlottetown. For me, these experiences have not only enriched my knowledge but also broadened my perspective on the world. Meeting people from different cultural backgrounds has taught me to listen before judging, remain open to differences and become more independent when navigating a new environment.

Every woman can be “beautiful in her own way and capable in her own way”. I do not feel the need to become the most outstanding girl or excel at everything all the time. Instead, I focus on understanding my strengths and having the confidence to develop them. My strengths may lie in curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to try. I may not know everything, but I am willing to learn; I may not be certain where my journey will lead, but I am not afraid to take the first step.

That is also what I admire about the women at DUE: each has her own identity, pursues her own choices and writes her own story. Knowledge gives us the confidence to step out into the world, determination helps us pursue our aspirations, and kindness makes the journey more meaningful.

On the occasion of Vietnamese Women’s Day on October 20, I hope every DUE woman will have the confidence to love herself, the courage to pursue her dreams and the compassion to appreciate her own journey. I believe a woman’s beauty lies not only in what others can see, but also in the knowledge she possesses, the kindness she shows and the faith she has in herself.