A heart-warming reception in the cold weather

Professor Hoa Ngo (first row, second from right) poses for a photo with MVCC faculty and staff at a reception in her honor. Female faculty and staff wore aodai to celebrate her arrival.

If someone asks me why I take the time to fly thousands of miles to visit America, I can answer without hesitation that I want to explore a new horizon in my life. But I have discovered that there are other important reasons why I am visiting MVCC, which is incredibly far from my home country.

At MVCC, I am treated as a VIP. Every single teacher I am introduced to is too kind to me, they treat me like a friend. This is very moving to me, and I don’t feel lonely here. 

The school celebrated my arrival with a reception for me. There were food and drinks, and people came and talked very happily. Most surprisingly, almost all of the female teachers dressed in aodai. I couldn’t believe how they took time out of their busy day to come to the reception just for me. Their presence in aodai surprised me and made me feel warm in such cold weather. 

Before I came here, I hardly imagined that I would be treated the way people treat me now. I found a more precious thing than just experiences to live far from home. I have found the most important thing – that is friendship!

Professor Hoa Ngo shares a laugh with MVCC staff members, also dressed in traditional Vietnamese aodai.