Page of Cảm Ờn

Three hundred four days ago I stepped on a plane bound for a country I had never been to, on a continent I had never visited with a language I didn’t speak and ultimately to a city I never knew existed. And now that I have eleven days left in Vietnam I have been asking myself where the time has gone and how do I begin to measure my Fulbright.

When I think about my Fulbright and these ten months that have been, my first thoughts aren’t about the places visited or miles traveled. Rather, they are about people and the connections I was able to make. That is in large part due to the people in this room – and now I need to thank them.

First, I would like to thank the board of rectors at Dong Thap Community College, the rector Mr. Phat and the vice-rector Co Hong for their support of the Fulbright Program in Vietnam. Without their support I wouldn’t have come here.

Second, I need to thank the English Teaching Staff for all their help with my classes and the English Speaking Club. I have enjoyed working alongside you these past nine months. I also need to thank Mr. Lam – who has been steadfast in his support in my teaching activities here. Knowing that I had support from the administration and that I was a priority in your very busy schedule was reassuring. In addition I appreciate your valiant attempt to teach me Vietnamese – despite my lack of acquisition.

That leaves two people – and I am at a loss for words…

Mr. Hung. Oh Mr. Hung…what is there to say? If it weren’t for you I would be lost in Mien Tay bus station in HCMC trying to figure out which bus to take. I wouldn’t have known where to reload my phone, or had a suit for the Gala in Hanoi, and so much more. You were critical to my survival here. You are clearly excellent at your job and I have never felt lost or unsafe or unsure of anything because I knew that I could call you anytime and you would answer whatever Vietnam-related question I had. More then being my host and my problem solver you have become a friend – and having such a personal relationship with you was unexpected for me. I will miss your laugh and our conversations that at times tittered into strange topics through miscommunication. I will miss the jokes and the coffee. At times you were my host, others my friend and every once a while – my mother. You pulled it off with style and I am so grateful and so blessed to have been put in your charge. I now join a small club of the pervious ETAs you watched over - and I couldn't be luckier.

Co Dung – I have struggled with the words to express my deep gratitude and thanks to you for all you have done. From the moment we met I was captivated and bewitched by your grace, your charm, your quite elegance and your intellect. I would watch you teach our students and be inspired to be a more thoughtful and diligent teacher. You have a light about you that radiates when you teach and I can see how much you care about your students and it’s sublime. Your presence in class gave me the confidence to teach because I knew that you could right us if anything went awry. That comfort gave me the bravery and courage to lead. Our partnership is one of the highlights of my time here and I will sorely miss our classes and you. You are amazing and you have a heart of gold. I am humbled to have been your co-teacher. It was my honor to stand next to you every week and work with our students.

Finally, I need to thank my students – 15 of whom are here today. You guys did this. You came to class, you took the tests, you studied and today we are here to celebrate your achievement. Co Dung and I just led the way. You all worked very hard and I am so proud to have been your teacher. You have taught me things you don’t even know. I will miss you all so much and next week with no classes I won’t know what to do with myself. Please remember how far you have come and remember that you did this.

This experience is transformative. I will carry with me the lessons and the memories of you and this place with me for the rest of my life. In a short time I will have to leave here and everybody and everything that has made me who I am in these past 10 months. But I leave knowing that I have been changed for good. It has been through knowing you, working beside you and teaching some of you that I have become a better man. And I owe that to all the people who have supported me throughout these three hundred plus days, most of whom are here today, as well as those who helped me along the way. I never would have thought that at 24 years old and just graduated I would have the opportunity to serve my country, teach incredible students and inspire some them. This has been the greatest blessing so far in my overly charmed life.

I am eternally indebted to you and grateful. This experience has been my great honor. So from the bottom of heart, I offer two too small words.

Thank you. Thank you for all you have done and all you have given me.

Thank you.