Actualizing the American Dream

Chancellor Ray Wallace and Tuan Anh Vu

From the moment he was born, Tuan Ahn Vu’s parents had a dream that he’d one day travel to the United States, a land they considered to be full of promise and opportunity.

Bihn Vu Dinh and Huong Thi Bich Nguyen, Vietnamese expatriates living in the Czech Republic, worked tirelessly at their small grocery store — 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week — saving what they earned so their son could one day pursue an education in the U.S.

When Vu entered second grade, his parents encouraged him to study English instead of German. Vu enjoyed the language and got his earliest insights into American culture from the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.”

He became fascinated with the show’s portrayal the American lifestyle and the vibrant energy of New York City. Curious to experience that life for himself, Vu enrolled in an international student exchange program at the age of 17.

Even though his host family lived in Marengo, Indiana, a small town in Crawford County, and not the Big Apple, Vu was enamored. He instantly gelled with the family and relished in the freedom of day-to-day life.

“I fell in love with the lifestyle, the spending lifestyle, the ability to do whatever I want,” he said. “I liked the language. I liked that a lot of it comes with job opportunities.”

By staying in America, Vu ventured a degree would enable him to earn five times as much money as someone putting in the same amount of work back in the Czech Republic.

He chose IU Southeast to pursue an economics and public policy and finance degree because it would keep him close to his host family and because the university offered a world-class business program.

Tuan Anh Vu shares his story with donors and fellow students at the 2016 Scholarship Luncheon.

Knowing that getting active in student life would make him a more well-rounded student (as well as bolster a future résumé), Vu joined the Economics Club, the Accounting Club and the Student Alumni Association. He also became a founding member and treasurer of the Kappa Sigma fraternity on campus.

“Just doing school is boring,” he said. “I wanted leadership positions to be a better leader. I wanted to learn how to time manage. It adds value to my college experience.”

Vu’s involvement got him noticed. In 2015, he was awarded the prestigious Chancellor’s Medallion Scholarship, which recognizes student leaders on campus and in the community. He also earned a First Saving’s Bank scholarship.

That aid afforded Vu the opportunity to take on a math minor to better prepare him for a career as an actuary — a math- and statistic-heavy field.

More importantly to Vu, the scholarship alleviated a significant financial burden on his parents, who were paying for his education out of pocket.

His parents were thrilled. Beaming with pride, they announced Vu’s scholarships to their friends and family in Vietnam.

“He’s an American now!” they’d respond. “He’s getting awards and scholarships! You must be so proud of your son.”

Bihn Vu Dinh told his son that coming to America to see Vu walk across the graduation stage as a top member in his class “will be the highlight of his life.”

Vu, who is on track to graduate in May 2017, is currently president of the Economics Club and of the Interfraternity Council. Beyond IU Southeast, Vu’s sights are set on completing the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program exam, getting his feet wet as an actuary and eventually pursuing his M.B.A.

He was recently selected to speak at IU Southeast’s Scholarship Luncheon, which recognizes scholarship recipients and donors. In his remarks, he took a moment to express his gratitude to the people who made scholarships like his possible. 

“I would like to thank all the donors as well as IU Southeast’s committed faculty for making my experience at this school unforgettable,” he said. “My experiences have turned me into a better person, who is ready to take on the world.”

Scholarships: By the Numbers