Being an International Student Support Coordinator at RMIT Vietnam for the past seven years has been truly special. My role is not only to help new international students adjust to life in Vietnam but also to walk alongside them as a sister, a friend and sometimes even a source of comfort during those first overwhelming days in a new country.
The journey of walking alongside international students as a sister, a friend, and more from Le Nguyen Viet Yen.
In addition to international students, I must mention the Buddy Team, a group of student volunteers selected to support international students alongside with me. The Buddy Team is like a 'song that never ends' filled with unforgettable memories of ups and downs, and the beautiful friendships the members have built together. I get to witness their passion, energy and zest for life. I feel proud to see how they have grown – not only in skills but also in kindness and compassion towards those around them.
Buddy team's engagement activities for international students.
What makes this work truly special for me are the lasting connections and the returns. The students keep in touch to share their joys and struggles with me, and I share my own life stories with them, as if we had never said goodbye. The best part is that both international students and Buddy Team members come back to visit whenever they can, even years later. We chat, reminisce and swap stories with the same warmth and closeness we once shared in our lively Buddy Team meetings while preparing for events.
"What makes this work truly special for me are the lasting connections and the returns."
It's also a blessing to see couples meet at RMIT, fall in love and build a life together. Some are between Buddy Team members and international students; others are between international students themselves, where friendship blossoms into love and, eventually, a family.
After these reunions, I realise that while my work may seem quiet, it has touched people's lives in deep and lasting ways.
I truly believe the greatest value this job has given me is humanity - the bonds that transcend language and culture, the joy of walking alongside someone and witnessing their growth, strength and resilience. It is a journey of connection that never stops.
Thank you, RMIT Vietnam, for giving me such a wonderful journey - not just a job, but a place to truly live out what I believe to be the most beautiful and meaningful things in life.
