My trip began at ASU, where I used a fraction of the scholarship to purchase supplies for hygiene kits, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. I collaborated with ASU’s MEDLIFE (“Medicine, Education, and Development for Low-Income Families Everywhere”) club to pack these kits for donation to hospitals in Vietnam and Laos. These 300 kits provided me the company and warmth I sought on this nerve-wracking flight. I knew it wasn’t just me going to Southeast Asia, but also the earnest efforts of other pre-health ASU undergraduate students who also aim to serve.
Huế, Vietnam, was a hometown I couldn’t remember, and through this trip, I hoped to rediscover it and finally write my own chapter of what home meant. Upon landing, I was immediately greeted by my unfamiliar family, alongside a magnitude of cultural dissonance. My usual car rides turned into booking motorbikes, my familiar English became the thick Huế dialect of Vietnamese, my everyday American meals became traditional Vietnamese dishes, and where I sought familiarity, I was seen as a “tourist.” My 3 months began in my new home.
My Sage Scholar trip spanned from May 10 to August 19, 2025, in both Huế, Vietnam, and Luang Prabang, Laos. It was my first ever solo trip, let alone being 3 months long. I was scared and anxious, but little did I know that this trip would pave a new chapter in my life and rewrite my personal mission.
May 13, 2025 - June 12, 2025
My trip to Vietnam was dedicated to a research and clinical internship at Huế University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Huế-UMP). I spent my first 4 weeks conducting research at the Department of Immunology-Pathophysiology among the physician staff. Here, I faced my deepest learning curve as I was barely adjusting to the academic environment. As an Asian-American, I was competent enough to casually converse; however, medical and scientific terminology were all foreign to me. My mentors and professors are genuinely some of the most brilliant people I have ever met. They were accommodating and flexible to my struggles, and in an instant, were able to translate the Vietnamese terminology into English. Medical school in Vietnam is a 6-year path right after high school, followed by a 2-3-year specialty master's program. My mentors learned and studied in English, and I remain in awe of their mastery of the sciences across two languages.” I was assigned a desk in the “Teaching Staff” room, and there I spent my 5 weeks studying and researching. My rotation was filled with independent study followed by a presentation to the team. Then, I learned hands-on lab techniques under the guidance of the Doctors and lab technicians. I specifically trained in ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), which is an immunodiagnostic tool to detect specific antibodies and antigens in patient blood samples. Common things I tested in patient samples include herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and rubella virus. A memorable but also frightening experience was actually being a Vietnamese student. I found myself fully immersed in the classroom, relying solely on listening to keep up. I was barely able to understand every other sentence due to the complexity of the language. I was puzzled, trying to fill the gaps of knowledge with the diagrams the Professors were sketching on the chalkboard. Slowly, every lecture became easier and easier, and I began to feel connected. From the constant scribbling of notes to eager hands raised at the mercy of questions and confusion, I felt the passion and the eagerness to learn.
Slowly, my peers became acquainted with me, we drew our blood together for experiments, and we dissected and analyzed animal models together. It truly opened my eyes to the difference in the education system between America and Vietnam, only once completely immersing myself. Vietnam is much less developed than the United States; however, it makes up in perseverance and determination. Albeit I struggled with literacy, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be, among people who inspired and motivated me to grow.
After a short five weeks, I did not expect to learn as much as I did. I was surprised to see how much of my learning overlapped with what I had studied at ASU, but it was also built upon at a much deeper level. I was very happy with how supportive the department was of my learning. All the doctors and technicians adapted to my language barrier and taught me in English for my convenience, while I also got to strengthen my mother tongue. Surprisingly enough, I also did not expect to gain as much independence in the lab as I did, and was glad that I had the opportunity to both shadow and conduct my own ELISA protocols using patient samples. For an internship of only 5 weeks, I was ecstatic to be able to contribute to Dr. Huyền’s (Head of the Department) research in analyzing Immunoglobulin E Levels in Autoimmunity Patients, such as RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).
I am beyond grateful for all the opportunities provided to me, ranging from insightful discussions and feedback from the department to assisting Dr. Huyền with her research and article writing. From studying side-by-side with medical students my age to assisting the Doctors with their research, I unlocked a new path of potential futures and a profound sense of fulfillment.
June 16, 2025 - July 11, 2025
I spent my second month in the Department of Microbiology, where I got to expand my laboratory skillset working with a variety of patient specimens such as pus, sputum, blood, urine, cervical fluid, and abdominal fluid. Using these specimens, I learned how to culture, isolate, and identify unknown bacteria. The microbiology department plays a crucial role in patient diagnoses. My daily routine consisted of testing new patient samples, staining any bacterial slides for microscopy, examining cultures, and testing antibiotic susceptibility and resistance. In Vietnam, all antibiotics are over-the-counter, so patients can purchase them on their own free will. Therefore, antibiotic resistance is an incredibly prevalent and prominent issue in the community. The microbiology department tests patient samples to see what antibiotics they do and don’t respond to, before prescribing them medication. Working in the lab showed me how quickly resistance patterns can grow when antibiotics are abused due to convenience.
This experience also made me reflect on the United States, where antibiotics are more regulated, yet resistance continues to rise. This strengthened my understanding of why antibiotic stewardship matters on a global scale and how critical microbiology is in healthcare since it pilots care and epidemiological maintenance of local and global communities. Before this rotation, I did not have a strong interest in microbiology; however, I left, switching my ASU undergraduate major to Microbiology. Every experience in the lab was a new opportunity for me to expand my horizons and chapters. I fell even more in love with microbiology and its practicality in diagnosable medicine, as well as its connection to community health threats and social interdisciplinaries.
In fact, I got the privilege to share my passion through education. Huế-UMP is home to the Future Docs Abroad program, where high school students across the United States travel to the institution to shadow and learn more about each department. After my three weeks of training and routine, I was responsible for mentoring the high school students on the fundamentals of microbiology, such as Gram/Ziehl-Nielsen staining, microscopy, bacterial plating/isolation, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Due to the training and guidance of the Doctors and technicians of the department, I gained a strong understanding of the content, materials, and practices, allowing me to demonstrate and share confidently. Although I was teaching the future generation of healthcare professionals, it felt like I was teaching myself more than anything. I was learning more about my dreams, goals, and the direction I want to take with my future in healthcare and service. I found a budding passion in teaching, and I brought that seed with me to Luang Prabang.
July 11, 2025 - July 18, 2025
I spent most of my time in Laos volunteering at Big Brother Mouse and the English Club for Laos, teaching English. Big Brother Mouse is a non-profit organization that provides a space for students and tourists to converse with one another, strengthening students’ linguistic skills but also broadening their global perspective. I always entered a packed room with students, patiently waiting for any straggling tourists, hoping for a conversation. Many to whom I spoke had never left the city and were curious about the life I lived in the United States. A conversation grew into immense cultural exchanges and my own personal reflection on privilege and opportunity. Many of the students expressed their dreams and goals of one day becoming English teachers and studying abroad, but feel rejected due to a lack of opportunity in their home country. I look at them in awe and inspiration of their devotion and drive to break their barriers. They showed me their worlds and I showed them mine.
I explicitly remember a boy sharing his journal entry. This apology letter to his mother voiced his sorrow and regret for leaving her behind, but he hopes to return one day, well-educated and successful, to liberate her from her sacrifices for his education. It was in these powerful moments that I felt a transposition within myself. Their stories, resilience, and unwavering hope had me feeling ashamed of the opportunities and privileges I often take for granted. I remember sitting there with the boy’s journal in my hand and engraving this burning feeling inside me. A lesson I will never forget.
After volunteering at Big Brother Mouse, I would go to the English Club for Laos, which is an English school at a temple. They teach different levels of elementary English at an affordable rate to students. Here, I assisted the teacher with pronouncing words and correcting grammar for the students. With a portion of the Sage Scholarship, I sponsored students within my classes who could not afford to return next semester, and also donated to Big Brother Mouse for providing books in classrooms.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the Lao Friends Hospital for Children, founded by Friends Without Borders. It is the only free pediatric hospital in Northern Laos and the only one in the region with an intensive care unit and psychological development clinic. I got to tour their facility and see the different services and care they provide. It was truly eye-opening to see the different resources they have and the disparity in healthcare equity, technological scaling, and supply abundance. I learned how dependent healthcare is on socioeconomic and cultural intersections. Many families travel to this hospital because it is the only one they can afford or financial and geographical barriers. Lao Friends Hospital for Children broke these barriers by providing free care, while also taking the extra initiative to tend to the disadvantaged through their outreach team. The outreach team travels by car or boat across the Mekong River to rural villages to conduct follow-up visits, deliver medicine, and educate them on medication usage/treatment. 150 of the dental hygiene kits were donated to Lao Friends Hospital for Children for children in rural villages who do not have access to such supplies, where the outreach team will deliver and educate on proper oral hygiene practice. The remaining 150 were donated to the pediatric unit of Hue-UMP.
No matter where I was in the world, healthcare disparities and resource allocation remained a prominent community issue. Regardless of a country’s development status, I saw people suffering due to a lack of healthcare equity. This amplified my personal mission in patient advocacy and fighting for healthcare as a universal right. Seeing the dedication of inspiring role models across the world, I strived to be like them. Lao Friends Hospital for Children was supported by foreign physicians who volunteer their skills, knowledge, and time to serve Laos. It was a truly eye-opening experience, being able to offer my knowledge while also being educated in a new world I had never seen. My students, the selfless community of Luang Prabang, families, patients, and the dedicated healthcare professionals further motivated my mission to serve and continue the circular path of generosity and the gift of giving. My one week in Luang Prabang sparked an even greater flame within me, and I knew that one day I would return to that very same hospital, working side by side with the people I admire most.
July 21, 2025 - July 25, 2025
After returning from Luang Prabang, I began my clinical rotations in the Department of Cardiology. Here, I had the opportunity to shadow and participate in various outpatient care activities, including examinations and diagnoses for cardiology/vascular health issues. Sitting with the physicians and listening to them interact with patients allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the hospital's social structure and how physicians guide and facilitate care for patients. It was interesting to see the polarizing differences between Western and southeast asian healthcare systems. For instance, there are two physicians in a room, and within a day, they each see about 50 patients. Patient confidentiality and privacy are a lot less formalized in Huế, and the essence of care revolves around efficiency and helping as many patients as possible. Overcrowding is a systemic issue in public hospitals in Huế; however, with limited resources, they must rely on efficiency to combat high volume and need. I also noticed that there are fewer intensive/advanced procedures done due to a lack of technology or qualified professionals. Thus,
the physicians told me they depend on foreign doctors to come and spread their expertise to the current team. Regardless of their limitations, they always fight for the best interest of the patient and help navigate through any barriers that could impede the quality of care they provide.
July 28, 2025 - August 12, 2025
My last clinical rotation was in the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics. Here, I gained close relationships with other resident physicians and even spent time with them outside of the hospital. I was fortunate enough to be able to learn under them and gain experience under their generous guidance. My typical day includes clinical rounds throughout the intensive care unit, shadowing inpatient care, and assisting in the operating room. My professors gave me many opportunities to scrub in and assist in the operating room, and it was truly an experience like no other. I was anxious and nervous because I had no idea how I would react to seeing a person being cut. But to my surprise, the moment the procedure began, I transitioned into a honed and steady focus. It was just the words of the doctors and the ambient rhythm of the operation. Patients lay on the operating tables, entrusting themselves to the expertise and hands of surgeons. The surgeons knew every constituent in the body, knew exactly how to respond to any situation, and carried a calm confidence in their skillset. They explained every step to me in English and guided me to gain confidence as I also cut. It was a surreal and also absurd feeling that they trusted me to close up their patient. For that very first stitch I made, to every suture that followed as the doctors handed me the thread, scissors, needle, and forceps, I put my all into each stitch. Each suture was unique to each patient, stories were embedded in each procedure, and a timeline of history. It was now my responsibility to help transition patients from operation to post-operative recovery. When this patient wakes up, they will feel like themselves again due to the seamless execution of the surgeons whom they entrusted their lives to. This feeling I felt
every time an operation was completed pushed me to unlock more doors within myself and explore this newly found passion. I was always determined to pursue non-invasive medicine due to a fear of ineptitude, but the belief my mentors had instilled in me transformed this fear into passion. Although I only spent two weeks in the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, it drastically changed the trajectory of my dreams. I found dreams that I never thought were possible, and amplified my passions to learn and grow. To that, I will forever be grateful for my mentors and team, who helped shape and develop the person I am now: someone who now feels capable of pursuing dreams that they once thought were out of reach.
August 12, 2025 - August 19, 2025
Upon completing my internship at Huế University of Medicine and Pharmacy, I spent the remainder of my time with family and new friends I had made. It does not seem appropriate for me to call my trip a trip. I lived there and immersed myself in a realm of education, cultural, and social exposure through meaningful experiences. I have been back in the United States for three months now, and I still keep in contact with the friends I have made. I came back from Vietnam being much more in tune and educated with my cultural and religious roots. I no longer felt like a stranger, and felt disheartened to now have to leave my new home.
I realized that no matter where I was in the world, I was constantly meeting new people tied together by the same passions. As unique and intersectional as the healthcare system may be across the globe, it is built upon the very essence of the dreams and aspirations of people who want to help. Among internal and external disparities, medicine and global health are unified by these intertwined motives. My home affirmed this flame within me and pushed me to fight even stronger for healthcare as a right. I see the way Southeast Asia fights for patient equity and wellness, and it has fiercely inspired me to never let this inner flame wither out. No matter the barriers and limitations, it is possible with motivation and perseverance. I saw this flame firsthand in all the admirable people I met throughout my time in Southeast Asia. I intend to carry it home with me and use it to pave a journey and mission that I’m still building- a journey that was sparked by the Sage Scholarship. Although my time came to an end, I intend to return to Vietnam & Laos in the future as an attending physician, working side-by-side with their dedicated team for patients.