"MY LIFE THROUGH THE YEARS": A SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO BY LE TU TRINH QUY by Quy Le

MY LIFE THROUGH THE YEARS

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

THIS SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO BELONGS TO LE TU TRINH QUY SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INTRODUCTION BEFORE THE JOURNEY THE STARTING LINE

6 7 8 10

SINGAPORE (10/2009 – 05/2012) | RAFFLES INSTITUTION BEING A GRIFFLES

15 16 19

RAFFLES INSTITUTION INTERACT CLUB – VICE CHAIRMAN INTERACT LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP 2010 LUNAR NEW YEAR FOR THE ELDERLY 2011 RECYLCING AT SHUNFU AND MARYMOUNT 2011 HOME CREATIONS 2011 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING WEEK 2012 DINE IN THE DARK 2012 YOUTH GOT HEART 2012

RAFFLES MERIT AWARD EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMS

26 27 27

OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE 2010 B.WELL FLAG DAY 2010 RACIAL HARMONY DAY 2010 YOUTH CONFERENCE AT ONEPEOPLE@SG WORLD WATER DAY 2011 OPERATION SMILE SINGAPORE STUDENTS CHAPTER STUDENT VOLUNTEERS‘ CAMP 2011

FLOORBALL TEAM – MEMBER HUMANITIES CLUB – MEMBER MOOR HOUSE – MEMBER SCIENCE CLUB RAFFLES LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CHARACTER LEADERSHIP EDUCATION – SERVICE LEARNING

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31 31 31 32 34 35 3

YEAR 3 RESEARCH EDUCATION PROJECT ILLUMINATI SOCIAL STUDIES DOCUMENTARY – BLIND LEARNERS OVERSEAS IMMERSION PROGRAM – GUILDFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM – TARUNA BAKTI JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

TESTIMONIAL FROM CLASS 4P FORM TEACHER LETTER OF COMPLIMENT FROM GUARDIAN

36 38 38 39 40 42 44

DALLAS, TEXAS, USA (07/2012 – 09/2014) | RICHLAND COLLEGE 45 BEING A THUNDERDUCK 46 CLUBS/ASSOCIATIONS/SOCIETIES 47 PHI THETA KAPPA HONOR SOCIETY MU ALPHA THETA HONOR SOCIETY BAPTIST STUDENT MINISTRY – MEMBER RLC TRiO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAM – VOLUNTEER TUTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE CHALLENGE

BIOLOGY LABORATORY PHO IS FOR LOVERS SPEECHES SCHOLARSHIPS/HONORS/AWARDS RICHLAND COLLEGE STUDENT SUCCESS AWARDS MUSE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT STEM SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT JOE LUCKY MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT BILL J. PRIEST ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT FINANCIAL AID PROOF

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE THE TRANSFER

50 53 53 54 54 56 65 69 70 71 73 74

DANANG, VIETNAM (09/2014 – PRESENT) | AMERICAN ACADEMY 75 BEING AN OFFICER 76 SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

GOALS MORE ABOUT MYSELF

80 81

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS HOBBIES

REFLECTION APPENDIX RAFFLES INSTITUTION TRANSCRIPTS RICHLAND COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS TOEFL iBT SCORE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION PERSONAL STATEMENT

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82 83 84 89 92 94 99

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are so many people, places, and things that I would like to thank for the success of this project. But before I begin, I need to say that each and every chemical moment of my life; every person I have spoken with; every street I have travelled; every museum, country, city, space or home that I have visited has been a profound instance and is mirrored, whether obviously or in some refracted way, in the work you see today. To begin with, I would like to thank my parents for being so supportive of me throughout my ongoing journey. In all honesty, without them I would never have come this far. They have always been there whenever I have needed them, to comfort me, to console me and to make me smile. They have been there to point me in the right direction if I ever lost sight of what I am here for. They have listened to every complaint I have had, every tantrum I have thrown, every problem I could find with coming here but still made sure I do not give up and give in. It is with their unwavering guidance and support that I have made my way here. Next, I would also like to thank my friends. My friends have been with me from the beginning of my journey all the way till now. They have been there when I just wanted someone to talk to and confide in. They have helped me whenever I am in need. They have been honest with me about everything and corrected me when I have ever gone wrong. Last but not least, my sincere gratitude also goes out to my teachers and professors, be it in Vietnam, Singapore, or America. For going out of their way to ensure what I understood what was being taught, for doing what the textbooks cannot teach.

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INTRODUCTION ―In the end, we are our choices.‖ – Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon While compiling my work, this question kept popping up in my mind: How is it possible for me to squeeze my 6 years of achievements in just a Showcase Portfolio. Jeff Bezos, in his speech to the 2010 batch of Princeton University spoke about how gifts are easy and choices are difficult and it is those choices that make us. It has been nearly 6 years since I began my journey overseas. I would not say that it has been easy so far, but I have no regrets taking those first few steps, no regrets about my choices because I have finally begun to realize my full potential. I have really enjoyed learning, being exposed to new concepts, experiments and bodies of knowledge. My enjoyment has always been my inspiration for all of my efforts to meet the challenges that I have faced. I view this showcase portfolio as the biggest project that I have ever done up to now. It provides me with an invaluable opportunity to think back on the journey thus far, reflecting and metacognizing about my growth and development as an international student. Here I have included some of my work that I feel has many things to say about my learning journey. Let‘s join me as I look at what my choices have made me.

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BEFORE THE JOURNEY th

Born on June 17 1994 into a middle-class family, I come from Danang City, a small town in Vietnam. My parents are the hardest working people I know. Growing up as the only child, I have been witnessing them working long hours to make both ends meet and bring me up. Even though they work hard, they make so little. Nonetheless, I believe the lessons they taught me are much more valuable than the money they make. They taught me to work hard, to be brave, to be proud and never give up on my dreams. They taught me that if I have a goal and I put my mind to it, I can make it happen. Every time I go to a new country, being greeted with opportunities and facing new challenges, I think of my parents and remember how hard they work for me to better my life. This gives me the strength, the motivation, the tenacity, and the drive to excel; not just that I can be successful in my life but I can also convey the same lessons to the future generations. I have learnt the hard way that no dream is too big, no matter who you are. As a matter of fact, I come from very little and yet I have still been able to achieve many things and get somewhere in my life.

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Back in Danang, my hometown, my abilities were never in question but I was never pushed to use them. Life as a secondary student in one of the most prestigious schools for the gifted in my hometown was rather easy. I usually had spare time to learn other interesting things apart from the mainstream curriculum as well as pursue my own hobbies to the best. I performed well in tests and examinations in school, especially being always in top 5 scorers for every annual English competition for gifted students organized by my school at that time. It was through these activities that I started to realize my potential. I was recognized by teachers and friends for being a hard-working student. My parents always set high expectations of me. They placed their trust in me and hoped for me to become a good and successful person. Nonetheless, I was rarely challenged by the work. I was never pushed to the limit and I did not really enjoy studying to the fullest of my abilities. I knew that I could do much more and much better if I were in the right environment.

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THE STARTING LINE ―The unexamined life is not worth living.‖ – Plato My student life in Vietnam took a different yet significant turn when I sat down for the examination and succeeded to be among the 7 prominent students in my secondary school to receive the AY2010 A*STAR (Agency for Science Technology and Research) school-based Vietnam scholarship to pursue high school education in Raffles Institution (RI) – one of the top-tier schools in Singapore. Indeed, my efforts were paid off in such an engrossing and enjoyable manner. The moment when I was announced by my school principal that I was qualified for admission and scholarship, I was so embedded in the moment that I was not even aware I was happy. The nostalgic but complete feeling captured me and I was just immerged with the joy of my achievements. So I made one of the boldest decisions of my life to go to Singapore to explore my journey and see the real new world. I closed one chapter of my life to embark on the next. I was grateful for the opportunity that I was given, to come to Singapore and study because it is here that my true learning journey really began and it is also here that the challenges really started. Yet, looking back to the time, I am certain that the thought of me coming to Singapore to study would not have ever crossed my mind.

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

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A*STAR SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION AND DEED SIGNING (MAY 2009 – DANANG): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXj20CQsX5Q

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SINGAPORE (10/2009 – 05/2012) RAFFLES INSTITUTION www.ri.edu.sg

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BEING A GRIFFLES*

Studying in RI was a paradigm shift for me. In Vietnam, the emphasis was on the bulk of knowledge whereas in RI the emphasis was more on concepts and applications rather than volumes of plain facts. I preferred this system very much because it made me think instead of just remember. Over the course of two years in Singapore, I successfully completed Years 3-4 of the Raffles Program with good academic records and other co-curricular activities achievements. There are various aspects of how RI develops a student. Academic development is just one part of the entire package. Away from academics, there were other components of my journey in RI that made it so fulfilling. I did well with my overall academic performance, with my final GPA being above 3.6, the mean GPA. My overall good academic performance was the underlying foundation for my success. Being good in many other aspects, but having poor results, brings you nowhere. Good results were also the prerequisite that allowed one to apply for the many programs RI had to offer. However, GPA only gives an overarching sense of my achievements. It does not show the process, and the fine details in between. To me, more importantly, my skills in various academic domains improved, and it is these skills that would form the foundation of my future in my tertiary education and beyond. One big takeaway from living on campus was independence. This is an invaluable lesson that I am very sure will help me a lot later in my life. It is a lesson that will help me stand on my feet. I have learnt to be selfsufficient. Staying in Raffles Institution Boarding certainly made me grow as a person and I feel that I have become more mature as a result of staying in boarding. And from the way things seem now, I am proud that I am better prepared for life. Indeed, RI was a profound platform for me to explore my full potential. The values, life skills, and all rounded development that RI offered allowed me to drive in the right direction, giving me elements of my character that has led to my success. *Raffles Institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s mascot

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RAFFLES INSTITUTION SCHOOL INTRODUCTORY VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJE67523NGY

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RAFFLES INSTITUTION 2009 SCHOLARS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl1RFCPD33A

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RAFFLES INSTITUTION YEAR 4 BATCH OF 2011 END-OF-YEAR GIFT TIME LAPSE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIJGo2Ii4vA

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4P GREETS TO TEACHERS – RAFFLES INSTITUTION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sor0Ikg4m0

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RAFFLES INSTITUTION INTERACT CLUB VICE CHAIRMAN ―Service is, very simply, an act that a human being does for another human being. It is also a journey of learning and self-discovery‖ In 2011, I took the initiative to lead the Raffles Institution Interact Club (RIIC) as the Vice Chairman. RIIC was truly a club that helped to advocate community involvement in the school. As for me as the Vice Chairman of the club, I believe it was the role I enjoyed having and I see it as a valuable opportunity to develop myself as a leader. RIIC helped to create opportunities for everyone to take part in service, for everyone to do their part for the community. RIIC provided me with the chance to enjoy myself, loosen up from the rigor of daily life while doing something meaningful at the same time, forming an integral part of my journey in RI. I am happy to have ‗service‘ at my heart in almost everything I do. I value the common good and I work hard towards it. The yearn and passion to serve have made me a better person and I have learnt many valuable lessons from good experiences. The joy of service comes from putting in endless amounts of heart, of passion into whatever we are doing. The joy of service comes from the smiles that we see on the faces of the beneficiaries.

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INTERTACT LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP 2010 It was a 3-day 2-night residential program with the Rotary Club Singapore. Its purposes included: 

To equip the participants with basic knowledge and skills of an effective leader

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To know the importance of teamwork in achieving group goals and valuing the contributions of each team member

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To practice interpersonal communication skills, with the focus on motivating self and others in a team

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To practice creative problem-solving skills and believe in their ability to overcome challenges

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To equip them with necessary project management skills in order to lead projects for Interact Club

INTERACT LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP 2010 – ROPE CHALLENGE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQuO6SmTnNE

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LUNAR NEW YEAR DINNER FOR THE ELDERLY 2011 My most memorable experience with Interact was probably the Lunar New Year Dinner. What struck me the most, however cliché this may sound, were the smiles and well-wishes from the elderly as they left the Albert Hong Hall. It‘s not easy to describe it, but I remember clearly how their eyes sparked with sincerity and genuineness in that simple, yet stunningly humane way. It was clear to everyone that they have left with more than just goody bags and red packets.

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RECYCLING AT SHUNFU & MARYMOUNT 2011

HOME CREATIONS 2011 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

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INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING WEEK 2012 IU Week was a chance for Interactors to raise awareness about global issues and the plight of less developed countries amongst the school population. We were selling KOI Milk Tea to raise funds for UNACAS for the Cambodia trip.

DINE IN THE DARK 2012 Dine in the Dark was an event that aimed to promote social awareness for the visually handicapped through simulating an experience of dining in the dark. Participants would experience how it felt like to carry out daily activities without their sense of sight, enhancing the use of their other senses.

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YOUTH GOT HEART 2012 Held at the National Library Building, Youth Got Heart 2012 aimed: 

To expose youths to community service opportunities available

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To serve as a platform for youth to find a cause that they feel passionate about and translate that interest into action by forming sustained partnerships with Volunteer Welfare Organizations (VWOs)

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To bring across the meaningful purpose of volunteerism through the sharing of ideas and volunteering experiences between VWOs and youths

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YOUTH GOT HEART 2012: IT BEGINS WITH YOU! - BROUGHT TO YOU BY RAFFLES INTERACT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1LUUVJ88Oc

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YOUTH GOT HEART 2012: WILL YOU BE THERE? - BROUGHT TO YOU BY RAFFLES INTERACT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thUwilHTzCs

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YOUTH GOT HEART 2012: HEART GIVING - BROUGHT TO YOU BY RAFFLES INTERACT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Anz3OFMm-yU

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YOUTH GOT HEART 2012: THANK YOU - BROUGHT TO YOU BY RAFFLES INTERACT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wQ_X31GeqM

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RAFFLES MERIT AWARD Raffles Merit Award is presented to Year Four pupils who have contributed significantly to a co-curricular activity in school, or demonstrated outstanding leadership and organizational ability in a co-curricular activity.

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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES During my time at RI, I was able to get exposed to many leadership opportunities and out of classroom programs, which placed high importance on the concept of ―human element‖. Nothing is quite like the interaction, warmth and comfort humans give. Through these activities, one learns about empathy, social issues, and people. And however cheesy this may sound, these are not things you can learn in the classroom.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMS OUTWARD BOUND SINGAPORE 2010

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RACIAL HARMONY DAY 2010 YOUTH CONFERENCE AT ONEPEOPLE@SG

B.WELL FLAG DAY 2010

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WORLD WATER DAY 2011

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OPERATION SMILE SINGAPORE STUDENTS CHAPTER STUDENT VOLUNTEERS‘ CAMP 2011

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FLOORBALL TEAM – MEMBER

HUMANITIES CLUB – MEMBER

MOOR HOUSE – MEMBER

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SCIENCE CLUB Having a great passion in Mathematics and Chemistry, I joined the Science Club at RI. I participated in numerous Mathematics and Science competitions and achieved commendable results.

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RAFFLES LEADERSHIP PROGRAM I went through the Raffles Leadership Program that was conducted in term 3 of my Year 3. The purpose of the program was to equip the student leaders in RI with additional skills to lead their CCAs/student groups, as well as to build a strong bond between the SLs of the school so that they can move the student body forward with a common vision. I am glad that I went through the training because it really gave me new insights into leadership and taught me a lot of things which I would not have learnt elsewhere. It also gave me important life skills. Besides, as the Vice Chairman of my Interact Club, I had the chance to attend a two-day Student Leaders Camp. The camp was absolutely one of the most awesome experiences in my life since I believe that I was pushed to the next level in terms of my character development.

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CHARACTER LEADERSHIP EDUCATION SERVICE LEARNING ―Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.‖ This quote reminds me of the Service – Learning lesson long ago during my CLE period at RI. CLE (Character Leadership Education) provided me with a lot of valuable knowledge and hands-on experience together with various exciting activities aimed at building up my personality. Service is meeting real community needs. Learning is self-development of youths. Therefore it can be deduced that service – learning is experiential education, in which one develop through the experience of serving the community.

Just like what Timothy Stanton stated in the Principle of Reciprocity:

―I serve you in order that I may learn from you. You accept my service in order that you may teach me.‖ SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

YEAR 3 RESEARCH EDUCATION ―If it‘s not from the heart, it‘s not worth doing.‖ The objective of the project was to investigate how the confidence of children with dyslexia could be improved by allowing them to experience success. Our group worked with the Pre-teens Club at Students Care Service Center at Hougang, Singapore. During this meaningful journey, we conducted activities that allowed the children to learn, keep them disciplined, boost their confidence and improve their character. We are constantly learning to organize and manage activities according to different needs, understanding children‘s difficulties to design schemes effectively targeting at a particular area for improvement. In this way, we learn through serving and serve through learning.

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―These children need a path for their acceptance into society, and we are the ones that make that happen.‖ SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

PROJECT ILLUMINATI I used to be a volunteer with Beyond Social Services in a program called LIFE as part and continuation of regular service initiatives in my Interact Club. I came down to a branch service center near Yio Chu Kang MRT, Singapore every Friday from 6.30 pm to 9 pm and conducted both reading program and tuition sessions for the underprivileged and slowly developed children over there in the nearby neighborhood.

SOCIAL STUDIES DOCUMENTARY BLIND LEARNERS In my year 4 Social Studies class, my group did a documentary as an educational production to explore education for the disabled in Singapore and how it is to learn in utter darkness. ď&#x201A;§

BLIND LEARNERS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1AP8F6KhYk

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OVERSEAS IMMERSION PROGRAM GUILDFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 2011 To further enrich myself, I stepped up to partake and had the privilege of getting chosen to represent RI in Overseas Immersion Program with Guildford Grammar School in Perth, Western Australia in summer 2011. My exchange trip to Perth was such a mind-blowing experience. It was a very unique and inspiring opportunity. I enjoyed my stay in Perth to the fullest. I view this trip as an unforgettable milestone in my life. Overall, this exchange trip helped me a lot to become a better person. I could have a bigger picture of the world around me. I learnt many valuable life skills during the trip and more importantly, I learnt how to interact well with international students and teachers as an exchange student.

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STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM TARUNA BAKTI JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BANDUNG, INDONESIA 2011

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TESTIMONIAL FROM 4P FORM TEACHER

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LETTER OF COMPLIMENT FROM GUARDIAN

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DALLAS, TEXAS, USA (07/2012 – 09/2014) RICHLAND COLLEGE www.richlandcollege.edu

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BEING A THUNDERDUCK*

I gave it a lot of thoughts and decided to continue my education in America because first of all I would like to achieve my education in a foreign country where English is communicated as the first language. And of course, America would definitely offer me good opportunities to interact with the real native English-speakers. The experience from my exchange trip to Australia told me that only by communicating in the real English environment can I push my English capacity to its fullest potential. Second, I believed in my capabilities. I was confident that I could excel in my studies in America and manage to get scholarships over there to master higher education. Last but not least, at that time I was so fascinated and captivated by this ideology that people called the ―American Dream‖. Apparently, America is considered one of the most advanced countries in the world and the land of opportunities, as they may say. Thus, I decided to give it a try because I aspired to push myself and live a more independent and challenging life. I also wanted to widen my knowledge about other cultures because America is a melting pot. I chose Richland College of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) to pursue higher education because it offered affordable tuition and an excellent and reliable education, which would benefit me a lot in transferring to a four-year university later on. It was also the most popular college of Texas state and the only community college to have received the National Quality Award from the White House & the Department of Commerce in 2005.

*Richland College‘s mascot

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CLUBS/ASSOCIATIONS/SOCIETIES During my time at Richland College, I had been trying my best to establish myself as a well-rounded student. My academic achievement was a 4.0 GPA overall. As a result, I was inducted into various honor societies and featured on the President‘s Honor Roll for four consecutive times. I believed in what I call ―beyond a 4.0‖. I always tried to stretch myself in different aspects of life by proactively taking part in many extracurricular activities in my community. I believe these things allow me to develop my intuition, creativity and leadership skills. Being away from home, I have learnt to step out of my comfort zone, to live independently without my parents and juggle the obligations of school and work simultaneously.

PHI THETA KAPPA HONOR SOCIETY

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MU ALPHA THETA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL & TWOYEAR COLLEGE MATHEMATICS HONOR SOCIETY

BAPTIST STUDENT MINISTRY – MEMBER I was part of the Baptist Student Ministry, a Christian organization that desired to grow closer in our relationship with God and each other, for over one year. Our leaders were Cody and Kasey. We met each week for Bible study and had other opportunities to have worship, fellowship, and serve others throughout the semester. 

ELLEN'S "HEADS UP!" WITH DAVE, HENOCK, CODY AND KASEY - JUST FOR KIDS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpl3bJu7gcY

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ELLEN'S "HEADS UP!" WITH DAVE, HENOCK, CODY AND KASEY - HAPPY HOLIDAYS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgGWZLace0E

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RICHLAND COLLEGE TRiO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICE PROGRAM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; VOLUNTEER TUTOR To further enrich myself, I volunteered as a science tutor for the Richland College TRiO Student Support Services Program to assist those who needed help in college-level Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. The volunteering also helped me earn service learning hours towards the ACE (Academic and Civic Engagement) program in which I was the participant.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE CHALLENGE It was an event to celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through community service. The MLK Challenge consisted of one afternoon of intense service, where a large number of volunteers of all ages and interests divided into groups to tackle service projects of substantial proportion. But this was no ordinary day of service because it required problem-solving, communication, and most importantly, motivation in order to complete the project on time.

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BIOLOGY LABORATORY (ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY AND MICROBIOLOGY) I had also been working part-time on campus for one year and a half as a Student Lab Assistant for the Richland College Biology Laboratory with specifications into the Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology sections to apply scientific skills as well as to further afford my education during that time. My responsibilities included assisting all Instructional Support Associates and Coordinators in the Biology preparation area and preparing necessary materials for upcoming lab sessions. I also had a great experience making new media and solutions for the Microbiology classes. 

PREPARING METHYLENE BLUE FOR POURING PLATES IN MICROBIOLOGY LAB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA1ivz8TuzE

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POURING BLOOD AGAR PLATES DEMO: DEALING WITH SHEEP BLOOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQbAkuUlrik

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PHO IS FOR LOVERS Besides working part-time in the lab on weekdays, I also worked part-time as a waiter at a Vietnamese café called Pho is for Lovers which serves great value, deliciously healthy and authentic Vietnamese food for the local people. Up till now, it is hard to believe that I spent over a year working full-time and studying as a full-time as a full-time student simultaneously and still managed to get things done and produce good academic performance. This restaurant job meant a lot to me, as I could save extra money to support my living expenses and tuition. It was also here that I made good friends who helped me in so many ways during my stay on the American land.

SPEECHES (FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING) In my last semester at Richland College, I took Fundamentals of public speaking class, which was an introductory course to develop the student‘s skills, knowledge, and understanding of the public speaking process. Topics included the principles of reasoning, audience analysis, and collection of materials, outlining and delivery. Emphasis was on the oral presentation of well-prepared speeches, using computer technology when appropriate. 

PET PEEVE SPEECH - THE PUBLIC TOILET SEAT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZX5Boxt2Uc

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PERSONAL EXPERIENCE SPEECH - EXCHANGE TRIP TO PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFhPmaYc6rM

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INFORMATIVE SPEECH – POLLUTION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oUL4M-YwxQ

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PERSUASIVE SPEECH - CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLBhIu5uaaw

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS/HONORS As we all know, the cost of living and studying in America is very high, especially when it comes to international students. Due to my financial constraints, I had always been trying my best to search for any scholarship opportunities whenever and wherever I can to pursue my degree as well as to lessen the burden on my parents. Thanks to my hard work and contributions at Richland College, I was honored and privileged to be the recipient of four distinct scholarships from the Dallas County Community College Foundation. Particularly, I was blessed to the only international student in the district to earn the MUSE Scholarship which was a highly regarded scholarship program of the foundation and covered my full tuition and books until I graduated with the Associate in Science Degree.

RICHLAND COLLEGE STUDENT SUCCESS AWARDS I was the Senator of the Richland College Student Government Association. I was also part of the Leadership Richland Series Team where we conducted leadership lessons and projects every three weeks.

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

MUSE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT (DCCCD FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP)

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

2013-2014 MUSE SCHOLARS DIRECTORY

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HOLIDAY GATHERING AT THE MEYERSON SYMPHONY CENTER The concert was a cornucopia of Christmas classics and indeed filled us with the warmth of the holidays. 

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WITH THE DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNX7Kv6L4B0

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

DCCCD R. JAN LECROY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE This was an all-day conference, which was a unique combination of both students and faculties from the district coming together to focus on the learning processes involved in developing leadership skills. It provided students who excelled in academics and leadership with an opportunity to interact with one another and hear speeches from outstanding speakers.

ETIQUETTE DINNER The dinner was set at an upscale Dallas restaurant and a four-course meal was pre-selected. A facilitator, who specialized in etiquette, gave pointers and step-by-step instructions regarding all aspects of proper manners from menu selection to introductions.

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

STEM SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT (DCCCD FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP)

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

STEM SUMMIT The annual summit was one of several events throughout the academic year for the STEM Scholars in the DCCCD STEM Institute. We had the chance to meet and chat with Skylar Tibbits, (director of the Self-Assembly Lab at MIT) who captivated students, faculty mentors and distinguished guests with his cutting-edge work on 4D printing during his presentation. As a 2012 TED Fellow, Tibbits has received several commissions and awards for his artwork and research in the field.

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

JOE LUCKY MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT (DCCCD SCHOLARSHIP)

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

BILL J. PRIEST ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

(DCCCD SCHOLARSHIP)

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

FINANCIAL AID PROOF Please find attached my financial aid award letters as proof of the awards, honors and scholarships which I received at Richland College.

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE Two years had quickly gone by. I graduated from Richland College in May 2014 with the Associate in Science Degree in good academic standing.

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

THE TRANSFER After graduating from Richland College, I was successfully able to get the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Transfer Scholarship from Texas Tech University, a public university which has good engineering programs. The plan was to continue pursuing the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree. I did go all the way from Dallas to Lubbock for school.

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

DANANG, VIETNAM (09/2014 – PRESENT) AMERICAN ACADEMY www.ama.edu.vn

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

BEING AN OFFICER

Little did I know what the future held. A few weeks after the new semester in my new school started, unexpected circumstances happened to my family. My mother was diagnosed with kidney inflammation and had to be sent to the hospital for special treatment. Having heard the news, I was extremely worried about her health conditions. As a matter of fact, I had not seen her for over 2 years and that I am the only child being away from home since 15 really urged me to come back home to visit her. Eventually, I decided to postpone my studies in America to travel back home to give my father a helping hand taking care of my mother. Fortunately, she recovered in the end and for that I was extremely happy. I decided to spend a gap year being near my parents and finding out what I truly want in life. During this period, I have been working full-time as an Active Learning Officer at American Academy / AMA International Language Center â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Danang Branch, which is currently the most popular English school in Danang. My job is to coordinate and manage IELTS/TOEFL iBT learners. Active Learning is an original and effective English study method which AMA has come up with and applied successfully, in which English learning is personalized and taken to the next level. It is recognized by internationally accredited educational organizations such as British Council, Cambridge Vietnam, TESOL Global, and even RMIT Vietnam University. I very much value this opportunity since it is my first full-time job in my life and it is also in this professional educational environment that I find myself useful. My continuously updated knowledge as well as experience studying overseas for 5 years plus taking the TOEFL iBT test with a high score have helped the learners here in one way or another. I take pride in my position as despite the fact that I am the youngest staff member here, I am highly appreciated by my students and senior colleagues. It is also here at AMA that I can truly find the beauty in English and understand the value of teamwork. Currently, besides working for AMA, I am also doing home tutoring for students who need improvement in English writing, speaking and pronunciation. I find the joy in my work as I am able to convey part of my knowledge to those in need. Also, I have the chance to save money for future higher studies. ď&#x201A;§

HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY AMA DANANG BRANCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpFSCbmCvRQ

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

A TYPICAL WORKING WEEK AT AMA

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

GOALS â&#x20AC;&#x2022;Dream big, no matter who you are.â&#x20AC;&#x2013;

However, I still have the thirst for not only knowledge but for further academic achievement and future goals. Since high school, I have been developing an immense passion for Mathematics. And I guess it is among the college subjects which I feel most confident in. I am always curious and interested in figuring out how things work and learning to solve problems in life logically. I have discovered that Chemical Engineering is no longer my passion. Having given it a lot of thoughts, I decide to study Economics and Finance. You know, sometimes in life you need a wake-up call. Thus, now my dream is to pursue a premiere undergraduate education in RMIT University Vietnam. I chose RMIT Vietnam for a couple of reasons. First, the prestigious university has such a long-lasting reputation in terms of academic achievement and competition-wise spirit. An RMIT degree is highly recognized and internationally accredited. Second, the business department in the university is well-known for its high standards and premiere teaching qualities, along with the notable faculties. Besides, it offers excellent state-of-the-art facilities for studying and high-qualified professors which can help me equip myself with a good physical as well as mental education. My goal for university is to finish the Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) in the next two years with good grades. After that, I would like to challenge myself to get involved in various internship opportunities to harness and apply economic knowledge in a practical way and earn as much experience as I can so that I can confidently land a good job in the future. I would like to work as a financial analyst for the music industry. If possible, I will try to get a scholarship to pursue a Master in Business Administration degree, probably in Australia because I love this place and would like to come back some day. Besides, I view my university life as focused not only on studying hard and achieving good grades, but also getting involved in various activities on and off campuses. I would like shape my university experience by being part of many on campuses and clubs as long as they fit my schedule. I will try my best to keep myself constantly updated with every single on-going happening on campus so that I can be part of it. That's what I believe my university life is supposed to be. Also, as I grow older and more mature every day, I want to give back to the community as much as I can. Hence, during my time in university, I will partake in volunteer opportunities to contribute for good causes to the community. I am excited for the journey ahead and I hope everything will turn out well. All in all, I will try my best to put the heart and the mind in what I do simply because I do what I love and I love what I do, which is what I strong believe in. I do not want to let many people down, especially my parents, and always work hard to live up to their expectations. I would like to portray my absolute honesty, passion, commitment and dedication to my studies to realize those dreams, despite all setbacks and obstacles happening in my life. I believe I am well-prepared and well-equipped before coming to university so that I can become a successful student.

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

MORE ABOUT MYSELF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS I am a responsible, purposeful and goal-oriented person. I set realistic goals for myself, be it academic, social or personal goal. I always try to be open-minded towards new goals and new challenges. If I fail, I am motivated to work harder. I value experience as opportunities for me to learn and practice new things. I tend to be serious and dutiful. I have quite a clear vision of the future paths that I am going to take, thus I am motivated to strive to accomplish my goals. I am an observant and detailed person. I learn best by planning and organizing materials. I have a good habit of planning things in advance carefully and like to be in charge. I develop consistent rules and routines and conduct meticulous plans for most of my work. I have the ability to prioritize my work, multitask, and manage my time well. I approach my work with perseverance and steadfastness. I strive to improve myself and do not give up easily. I pay utmost attention to details and highly value the quality of my final products from my jobs. However, at times I get off tracks and tend to take things for granted and fall into procrastination, which is one of my biggest weaknesses. I believe in dedication and hard work because I am aware of good possibilities they can bring to me. The road to success will definitely be tough and demanding along with many obstacles. But I believe it is those ups and downs that in the end of the day make us who we really are. As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. Besides, I also believe in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s personal intrinsic potential and capacity to contribute to his society. Therefore, I live up to one core principle that I should do what I can today to the best of my abilities in order to be the change that I want to be and to be the change that I wish to convey to the world.

HOBBIES Apart from school time, I have many interesting hobbies. Reading books is top of the list. I also love food, photography, fashion, listening to music, travelling, watching movies and experiencing pop culture. In my spare time, I also like to watch my favorite shows. One of them is The Ellen Show, which I watch almost every day, as I find her very inspirational and provocative. Last but not least, I am a super fan of social media. I guess because I am quite a sociable and outgoing person, I would like to share things with people from different backgrounds as well as make new friends and gain new life experiences. I have accounts of almost all social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Vevo, Pinterest, Google Plus, Tumblr, Foursquare, Spotify, Skype, Yahoo, Viber, Zalo, Line, Whatsapp, Flickr, Vimeo, and SoundCloud. Sharing is bliss! I guess those are a few elements that complement a little sense of what it's like to be me. ď&#x201A;§

LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/lequy

SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

REFLECTION On my learning journey, mistakes are evidently inevitable. I learn from and stand by my mistakes, master them and move forward. I learn to take responsibility for myself. I am passionate and committed to improving myself, acknowledging my mistakes and moving on. Sometimes I feel that I am struggling with my studies, especially my heavy curriculum and packed schedule. Yet after all it is still a process which takes time and demands my will and patience to reach my goals. I have also learnt that learning strategy is so important. As old strategies become obsolete, new ones become the way to go. There are multiple strategies that will lead to success. It is selecting the right strategy at the right time that determines how well you do. My experiences with people taught me many important lessons. The most important one is that it takes all kinds of people to make this world. Through my journey thus far, I have learnt the importance of being human. Every small action you take can make somebody‘s day. Every conversation you continue can make the difference between ignorance and awareness. Every bit of kindness and care you give can bring a smile to somebody‘s face. And every lesson you learn can improve your life. That‘s what makes us human. Every morning when I wake up, I always feel blessed for what I have today. My life so far has been a real eye-opener and I have been exposed to much more than I expected. I have tried so much new stuff, learnt so many new things, met so many nice people and visited so many beautiful places on earth. I never dreamt that I could land my feet on that many countries in just a few years. It has seemed almost unreal and impossible that I have a full-time job when I‘m still 20. I have been pushing myself beyond my limits. The experience is indeed expensive. And for that, I am deeply grateful. I‘ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Now is 3am on the first day of June 2015. I‘m finishing up and giving this portfolio a final touch. I must say I have had a fun time making this body of work. As a matter of fact, it took the whole month for this final product to be complete. I consider myself a workaholic and perfectionist. While working on this portfolio, I still have stacks of papers to mark for my students at AMA and loads of work to be done. I will never forget the overtime sessions at work and sleepless nights at home doing this project. All the things that I have been through, they form a system, enabling me to be who I am today. It is the celebration of commitment, passion and co-ordination. My journey thus far has been successful as I have accomplished so much in a rather short period of time, and it is a testament to all that has gone into me—my teachers‘ passion, my parents‘ love and my friends‘ support. I have been working very hard to get what I want in life. But I believe it is still just the beginning. I have so much more to give, to accomplish, and to fight for. Now is a short time for me to look back and reflect, learn from my mistakes, and continue striving on for the upcoming 2 years at RMIT University Vietnam, where the chequered flag lies. Here‘s to a successful upcoming school year! To be continued …

―I consider myself a lucky man. But I do not believe luck is the mere factor leading to success. Hard work counts a lot as well.‖ SHOWCASE PORTFOLIO | LE TU TRINH QUY (9927506)

APPENDIX

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RAFFLES INSTITUTION TRANSCRIPTS

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RICHLAND COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS

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TOEFL iBT SCORE

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

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PERSONAL STATEMENT

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