The program has been developed by the Quite A Lens team based on the real-life experiences of members who have received scholarships and are currently studying or have previously studied in the United States. It aims to provide practical information and experience-based insights so that participants can continue conducting their own research and choose a study-abroad pathway that best suits their individual goals and circumstances.
We hope these shared experiences will help you save time, avoid unnecessary expenses, and feel less overwhelmed as you work toward studying in the United States.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Format: Online via Zoom
- Number of sessions: 1 session
- Duration: 2–3 hours
- Date & Time: 8:00 PM, Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Registration Deadline: September 15, 2026
- Language: Vietnamese
- Participation Fee: Completely free of charge. However, if you find our sharing helpful, we encourage you to pay it forward by supporting the operating costs of any conservation organization, wildlife rescue center, or charitable organization of your choice.
- How to Register: Scan the QR code or register directly through the link below.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
- Students and other individuals interested in pursuing undergraduate or master’s study in the United States.
- This session is particularly suitable for those who are just beginning to explore studying in the U.S. and are unsure where to start, as well as those seeking scholarship-based financial support for their studies.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Duyen Nguyen
Duyên is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Development Practice (MPA-DP) at Columbia University in New York, USA, with a full scholarship from the Fulbright Program. Prior to Columbia, she had more than six years of professional experience in the development sector in Vietnam, working on issues including livelihoods for low-income communities, gender equality, and project impact evaluation. At the session, Duyên will share her journey of preparing for graduate study from the perspective of a first-generation student, the considerations involved in changing academic and career directions, and how she approached the process of building and preparing her applications for graduate programs and scholarships.
Tam Le
Tâm graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, USA, with a degree in Environmental Studies and Social Studies. She was one of 11 outstanding students from Asia selected for the Freeman Asian Scholars Program, which provided full funding for four years of undergraduate study at Wesleyan. Tâm is currently a Thomas J. Watson Fellow, conducting a year-long independent research project on community-led energy initiatives across several countries. During the session, Tâm will share insights into the U.S. undergraduate application process, how to choose universities and majors that align with your goals, how to make the most of academic and extracurricular opportunities, and what student life in the United States is really like.
MAIN TOPICS
- An overview of the U.S. education system and the most common types of colleges and universities.
- Is studying in the U.S. really the right fit for you? We will explore how to evaluate your academic goals, long-term plans, personal needs, and your or your family’s financial capacity, while also identifying the types of scholarships that may best fit your study plan.
- Building a well-matched college list: Key factors to consider when choosing universities, majors, and academic programs.
- Planning your application timeline: When to start preparing, important milestones to keep in mind, recommended books and resources, and how to choose extracurricular activities that can strengthen your application.
- Preparing the key components of your application: Important considerations when developing your CV/résumé, personal essays, and letters of recommendation.
- Should you use AI during the application process?
- Questions and discussion.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- To ensure the quality of the session, we may limit the number of participants.
- After the registration deadline stated above, we will send participation instructions, the confirmed schedule, and the Zoom link by email.
- Participants may submit questions to the organizing team in advance through the registration form.
- This program is intended solely for sharing information and experience-based insights. It does not replace professional admissions, financial, legal, or immigration advice. The content reflects the experiences and perspectives of the organizing team and does not represent the views of any other individual or organization.
Quite A Lens