A barista’s path to RMIT

A barista’s path to RMIT

An unfinished dream that Nguyen Xuan Tho carried for nearly a decade is finally becoming a reality thanks to RMIT Vietnam’s Scholarship program.

Originally from Nha Trang, Tho was 18 when he earned a place at a local university. But instead of stepping into a lecture theatre, he stepped into the workforce to help support his family. With even basic needs difficult to afford, let alone university tuition fees, he made the hard decision to put his education on hold.

Nine years later, that dream is back on track.

As a recipient of RMIT Vietnam's Opportunity Scholarship, Tho will enrol in the Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management after completing the English preparation courses.

Four people pose in front of a Scholarship Award Ceremony 2026 backdrop, with one holding a framed certificate.Nguyen Xuan Tho celebrated his achievement with his family and Mr Jimmy Pham, Founder and CEO of KOTO, whose support helped shape his journey from hospitality trainee to future RMIT student.

For the 27-year-old hospitality professional, the scholarship represents far more than access to higher education. It is the culmination of years of perseverance, hard work and determination to create a better future for himself and his family. Tho has spent nearly a decade building a career in hospitality while never letting go of his ambition to earn a university degree.

Finding strength in hardship

After his parents divorced, his family's financial situation became increasingly difficult. The family home was sold and his mother worked tirelessly to raise two children despite limited means. For part of his childhood, Tho lived with his aunt while his mother focused on earning enough to support the family.

Many people might look back on such circumstances with regret.

Tho looked back with gratitude.

The hardships he experienced growing up taught him resilience, responsibility and the importance of hard work. They also deepened his admiration for his mother, whose sacrifices became his greatest source of motivation.

When he completed high school in 2017, he secured a place at university. His mother even borrowed money to help him enrol. Yet Tho knew the financial burden would be too great.

Rather than continuing his studies, he chose to work.

It was not an easy decision, but it reflected a maturity beyond his years. He wanted to ease the pressure on his family rather than add to it.

Person preparing a drink behind a bar, pouring from a metal cocktail shaker into a glass.Before returning to study, Tho spent nearly a decade building a career in hospitality, gaining valuable industry experience as a barista and in other customer-facing roles.

That decision led him to KOTO, a social enterprise that provides hospitality training and life skills to disadvantaged young people. There, Tho discovered not only a profession but also a community that helped him develop confidence, leadership skills and a belief in what might be possible.

Starting from the ground up, he embraced every learning opportunity available to him. He became actively involved in student activities, leading clubs and mentoring fellow trainees. Those who knew him remember a young man who was hardworking, humble and always willing to support others.

These qualities have continued to shape his journey long after he entered the workforce.

Brewing a future, one step at a time

Tho worked in a range of roles, from barista and bartender to guest relations and bar supervision, steadily building his skills and professional experience. Long shifts, demanding schedules and the constant pursuit of improvement became part of everyday life.

Over time, those experiences deepened his appreciation for the transformative power of education. While practical experience had given him a strong foundation, he saw higher education as a way to broaden his perspective, strengthen his leadership capabilities and deepen his understanding of the industry he was passionate about.

Rather than waiting for opportunities to appear, he prepared for it.

For two years, Tho strengthened his professional profile and carefully built his application. Every achievement became another step towards a goal he refused to abandon.

When he learned he had been awarded an RMIT’s scholarship, the moment felt almost unreal.

The first person he thought about was his mother.

In a heartfelt message to his mother upon graduating from KOTO several years ago, he expressed the gratitude he had carried throughout his journey.

Person holding a certificate and bouquet stands beside another person in front of a graduation ceremony sign.Nguyen Xuan Tho with his mother, whose sacrifices and support inspired him to persevere through hardship and pursue his educational aspirations.

"Mom, I want to thank you for two things: first, for giving me life, and second, for giving me my circumstances,” he said.

“I am grateful for those circumstances because they made me stronger every day. They taught me to work tirelessly and prove to those who looked down on you that your son could achieve things they thought were impossible.”

His words captured the spirit that has carried him through years of challenges. Rather than allowing hardship to define his limitations, Tho transformed it into motivation.

Now, as he prepares to begin his studies at RMIT, Tho has set his sights on becoming a leader in the hospitality industry. But his ambitions go beyond personal success.

He hopes his journey will encourage other young people facing difficult circumstances to keep believing in their potential and to see education as a pathway to opportunity.

For Tho, university is not simply about earning a qualification.

It is proof that dreams delayed do not have to become dreams abandoned.

As he starts this new chapter, he carries with him the lessons learned from years of hard work, the support of those who believed in him and the determination that has guided him every step of the way.

Above all, he carries a promise he made long ago: to make his mother proud.

Story: Ha Hoang

23 October 2026

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