After more than 16 years at RMIT Vietnam, I still wake up feeling incredibly lucky. This isn't just a job - it's a lifelong privilege to walk alongside thousands of students. I've seen them start Orientation Day with nervous curiosity in their eyes and later cross the graduation stage with radiant confidence, ready to face the world.
As Manager, Student Life, my purpose has always been beautifully simple: to create a vibrant space where students don't just study but truly grow into their fullest potential.
I've had the honour of laying foundations that are now woven into the fabric of the student experience. I still remember the excitement of launching the Student Volunteer Program in 2010, and then watching the Student Council and Student Leadership Program take root in 2012. These weren't just initiatives; they became lifelines of student culture and self-discovery.
Trang (centered, first row) in her early days as the Manager of Student Life
We poured our hearts into the Buddy Program to make sure every international student felt seen, supported and genuinely at home. Alongside my passionate team, we've nurtured one of the most lively student club cultures in the region - with over 60 dynamic clubs where students find belonging, build confidence and dare to lead.
Buddy Team program, where Vietnamese students help international students immerse in Vietnamese culture
Our campus is alive during signature events like Orientation Week, Club Day, Sports Day, X-Run, Music Festival, Pride Week and International Festival, among many others. These big, bold celebrations are unforgettable- but the real magic often happens in quieter, everyday moments: a friendly hallway chat, a mentoring coffee filled with reflection, or a late-night discussion after an event ends. Every day, my team and I are fully present –listening, supporting, encouraging and growing right alongside our students.
Trang’s lovely moment in one field trip with students
And perhaps the most beautiful part? Many students return. They come back as accomplished alumni, generous mentors and even industry partners - ready to uplift the next generation. They come back because they remember what it meant to be believed in. That ripple effect - the passing on of care, courage and community - is the most powerful legacy we can ever hope to create.
At RMIT, our work goes far beyond helping students make the most of their university years. We walk with them, step by step, as they discover who they are, who they want to become and how they'll shape what comes next. For me and my team, there is no greater privilege than that.
