Guest Blogger: Meet Bi from Vietnam!

Hi guys, it's Rei!

Long time no see! Christmas break and J-Term have flown by and this week is the third week of the spring semester already. I'm sure that you are now busy again with your new schedule, but here we are, looking forward to the coming of spring! This is our first Guest Blogger Week in a while, and it is a concept we've introduced to our blog from time to time, an interview with a guest, or a blog takeover. 

Bi in Ecology Field Trip!

This week's guest blog is by Bi Tran (21), who is a senior-year student majoring in Biology in PLU. Bi is from Cam Ranh, Vietnam and is currently a Rieke Scholar, International Peer Advisor, Co-President for the PLU Pre-Health Science Club, and working for the Biology Department. Outside of the school, he enjoys Bowling and Badminton. We thought Bi, who will be graduating at the end of this semester, would be the perfect person to ask about his key tips for life as an international student in the U.S. and in PLU!

Bi at the first graduate school in Vietnam!

How did you feel about the transition from your hometown to the U.S.?

    I came to the US at 14 to a high school here in Tacoma. The transition was definitely more challenging than expected since being alone in the US was harder. I had no friends, no way of transportation, and no idea what these foreigners were talking about. I was blessed enough to have people from my high school, such as my host mother, to facilitate a smooth transition from my hometown to the US. My transition from high school to college wasn't easy either. College-level classes are TOUGH for my grade and for my mental health. Being a commuter leaves me no time to spend quality time with friends, hence it was tougher to make connections. COVID-19 hit around the second semester of the first year, so all the opportunities were shut down. 

Bi and his friends in their dissection

How has PLU helped you to achieve your goals?

    My goals is to become a physician. PLU requires general education for everyone seeking an undergraduate degree, so those "unscience" classes really helped me become a better well-rounded person. I mentioned tough classes, but thankfully PLU professors do offer office hours. With a small class size and even smaller group office hours, the professors really learned who you are as a person, therefore helping you to understand the material better. Also, if you apply to a campus job or graduate school, you can ask for a letter of recommendation from them too "wink."

What surprised you the most when coming to the U.S.?

    I was surprised by how green Washington state is! On the way to Seattle, I honestly was expecting skyscraper buildings, as well as yellow cabs running around blowing their honks. Washington is the complete opposite. The tallest thing here is the tree next to my house. Washington has a rain level close to where I am from, but it is significantly colder. Besides Washington, I had some chances to travel to other cities/states, such as CA, OR, and HI. Each state has different cultures, subcultures, and cuisines, which honestly adds to how diverse America is. 

Bi in Hawaii :)

Since you are graduating this spring, what are your next steps after that?

    I am currently in the process of applying to medical school soon! I am fortunate enough to update my F-1 Visa to US permanent resident status, so I can finally make my dream of being a physician come true. 

Lastly, what are some advices would you give to international students who are currently studying in PLU or who wish to apply?

• Apply to PLU! The school offers LOTS of scholarships, with varieties of programs that you can pick. 
• Don't worry about feeling lost on campus. The International Peer Advisors are here and Heather Jacobson are great resources for you; we all want to you to be successful, either if you're here as an exchange or a degree-seeker.
• Join clubs and all the international students' events (if you can). This is the best way for you to make friends and stay connected to campus!
• Explore the Pacific Northwest! PLU is the closest school to Mt. Rainier. 

And that wraps up our interview with our first guest blogger for 2023. We thank Bi for cooperating with this blog and wish him well in his dream to become a physician! 

-Rei