trust the process

on a tough decision I made at 17-year-old and how I reflect on it now

When I was 17 years old, UWC (United World College) was my dream.

It attracted some of the most interesting people I have ever met, either through the interview rounds or those I knew and heard of that went to UWC.

I envisioned myself being like them, embarking on a journey of life-defining experiences, engaging with diverse communities, and advocating for positive change through learning and leadership.

After graduation, I thought I would be able to apply to the prestigious universities in the States that the young me had always dreamt of.

But in the end, when I received the scholarship, I made a tough decision to pass up the opportunity.

My parents weren't supportive of me joining UWC, so I chose to finish my high school years in Vietnam instead. My college opportunity ended up being at a university I had never heard of, one I came across at a US/Canada Study Abroad Conference.

When it was time to apply for universities abroad, I didn't apply to the prestigious schools my peers applied to.

Instead, I chose a small campus of a private US university in Vancouver.

I had a few reasons: one being that Trump just got elected, and I most certainly did not want to have anything to do with America for its decision (I'm joking, I know about the electoral college!). Second, this university offered me a very generous scholarship, waiving my family of any financial burdens. And finally, as a Deaf student, I figured that smaller school and class sizes were the most fitting options for me.

While I was grateful to have a place called home for the next four years, I wasn't too stoked.

The university was not big, the student body wasn't that diverse, the curriculum was not that interesting to me personally, and there were few professors I could connect with or opportunities to develop my skills.

There was a point where I regretted being here, ended up resenting my parents, and blamed myself for not trying harder to persuade them to let me join UWC - a much better environment in my eyes back then.

I looked at my peers who were thriving at their own UWC campuses and lamented, 'It could have been me.'

But the fewer opportunities I got at this place, the more I learned how to create my own.

I thrive in smaller class settings; I was able to listen to my professors so much more clearly, which helped tremendously with my learning.

Almost no extracurricular activities at school meant that I got to take initiatives, including starting my own organization!

I also formed a close connection with a professor whose professional path I would like to follow; he helped me with recommendation letters and introductions in the industry, leading to my first software internship. That internship experience was followed by Apple, and now the current company that I'm working at, where I continue to grow and learn.

During my four years here, I also made so many meaningful friendships through external communities like Impact Labs, Reboot, and Twitter, some of which started from cold emails and applications. And so many more people I am grateful to have in my life; if I weren't here at this no-name school in Canada, I wouldn't have met them, including my current partner.

Fast forward to the present; if I were to go back, I probably would still choose to go to UWC for its unique experience.

But I do not regret passing it up.

(Plus, the opportunity ended up going to a friend that I really cherish. Nothing makes me happier than seeing her truly thrive at UWC, like a fish to water, making the world she lives in truly a better place. I would never trade this for anything in the world! :")

I once read a Chinese saying that quite hits home: "A real diamond never loses its shine" ("Là chân kim thì sẽ luôn tự toả sáng.").

I believe that I'm right where I want to be, and then some. No matter where I go, I can make the best of it.

Things might not look ideal for us at present, but who knows how the dots will connect in retrospect?

I want to keep up this attitude for every opportunity coming my way. No matter what happens, I will trust the process.

And that everything will always work out in the end. :")

a photo of myself in Montreal that i really like + my hearing aids (!!) (📸: my beautiful gf)

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This post is part of a 7-day writing challenge of Mở’s Writing On The Net Alumni Community! Let’s see if I can write consistently :”)

#wotnalumni

See you soon!

Anh.