Brian Jeffrey
Y Un Diem, a member of the Gie Trieng ethnic community, is currently in her fourth year studying English Pedagogy at Tay Nguyen University. Originally from Tu Mo Rong village in Kon Tum, she recently participated in a brief exchange program in the United States as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) scholarship.
Considering the world beyond her village seemed impossible just seven years prior, when Diem had to leave school right after high school to work.
Having been raised by her grandmother following her parents’ separation, Diem took on the responsibility of caring for her younger sister, who faces physical and intellectual challenges. When Diem was in seventh grade, her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. Despite facing financial difficulties, Diem remained determined to pursue her educational dreams.
In her village, many children had to leave school early due to harsh living conditions, opting instead to work in fields or get married and start families. This constant battle against poverty made education seem unattainable for them. These realities motivated Diem to prioritize her schooling.
“I feared I might end up on that same path. Observing some friends achieve education, enjoy a stable life, and even travel inspired me to continue my studies,” she reflected.
However, her aspirations were met with harsh realities. After high school, Diem had to set aside her studies to earn a living. Thankfully, a compassionate former librarian in Kon Tum helped connect her to a French NGO school, which opened new possibilities for her.
At this institution, her tuition and living expenses were covered. After completing a six-month training program in the hospitality sector, she went on to intern for five months at a luxury hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, where she recognized the importance of knowing English.
“I realized that the managers, all of whom held degrees, approached problems differently. Mastering English unlocks many opportunities. That’s why I made a financial plan to return to school—education is the quickest route to transforming my life,” Diem explained.
For two years, Diem balanced multiple jobs, often working from early morning until midnight. Through hard work, she was able to accumulate enough funds to return to education. In 2020, she enrolled in English Pedagogy at Da Lat University, hoping to teach English to children in her village and provide them with pathways to success.
This two-year break from school crystallized her ambitions and motivation. Yet, obstacles continued to arise. A traffic accident on her way to school caused a six-month disruption to her studies and drained her savings for medical treatment.
As she recovered, Diem found herself torn between the idea of dropping out or continuing her education. Financial constraints forced her to pause her studies once more.
During her recovery period, she sold products online, saved money, and researched university entry requirements. In 2021, armed with her academic transcript, she successfully applied and gained admission to Tay Nguyen University’s English Pedagogy program.
Nevertheless, her academic journey was far from smooth. A subsequent traffic accident during her first year severely affected her health. “I began to wonder if university was meant for me. But giving up? I couldn’t fathom how I would be able to survive or improve my circumstances,” she remarked.
Diem described this second accident as a particularly challenging phase in her life. Although she did not lose her chance at university again, it inevitably disrupted her life significantly.
“Nevertheless, I chose to remain optimistic. Challenges only serve to make me more resilient. I had to keep pushing forward,” she affirmed.
After recovering from the accident, Diem returned to her studies with renewed energy, focusing on academic growth and volunteering by teaching English to local children. Today, she holds a position in the Dak Lak Student Association’s Secretariat and leads the Outstanding Students Club at Tay Nguyen University.
In her third year, Diem dreamed of expanding her horizons beyond her village. With the guidance of an American Ph.D. advisor, she tailored her scholarship applications. In October 2024, she was awarded a YSEALI short-term scholarship supported by the US government.
“During that time, I connected with American professors and youths from 11 other Southeast Asian nations. Witnessing their commitment to their communities made me realize how much more I could do,” she shared.
Upon her return from the trip, Diem felt transformed in her perspective. She set her sights on furthering her expertise and pursuing a master’s degree scholarship.
“I chose English pedagogy because I want to introduce foreign languages in my village. Back when I was growing up, many locals struggled to make ends meet, making the idea of learning a foreign language feel unreachable. I aspire to change the perception that English is difficult and to show that it can open various new opportunities for children. My dream is to facilitate international classes in Kon Tum,” concluded Y Un Diem.
