NGUYEN KHANH NGHI – BE A “CHAMELEON” AND BREAK FREE FROM LABELS

“Introduce yourself with some keywords”—a typical question usually followed by a typical answer. However, Nghi offers a different perspective: “I can’t find any keywords to fit in. To me, ‘keywords’ are a double-edged sword, an invisible limit, like putting someone in a labeled box.”

The journey of self-discovery is a maze, and feeling lost is understandable. Yet, Nghi believes that in this maze, everyone will eventually find their own path because there isn’t just one exit. He also admits that he wasn’t naturally flexible. When he first entered VinUni, Nghi had no grand ambitions or big goals. Amidst the era of constant changes, while everyone was busy finding their personal brandings and defining themselves, Nghi took his own pace. The challenges he encountered on this journey pushed him to break out of his routine and become more adaptable. “Everyone I’ve met inspires me in some way,” Nghi said. New experiences guided him to encounter excellent people, so he tried to be as adaptable as a chameleon, opening up to all these new and exciting things.

In his freshman year, like many peers, Nghi felt confused about how university life worked, and his solution was: try everything. He joined every activity, class, workshop, and coffee chat on topics he found “interesting,” and through various experiences, he found a suitable path for himself, “at least for now”—he emphasized, which is “sustainability.”

“It was my macroeconomics professor who sparked my curiosity by discussing sustainable values from businesses and projects. The Industrial Revolution 5.0 has led to the emergence of many young enterprises, and many of them are willing to destroy the environment and other sustainable societal values for short-term benefits,” Nghi expressed his concern.

One of Nghi’s milestone experiences was being part of the “Vietnam Adverse Childhood Experience Pathfinders – VACEP” project in the summer of 2022. Reflecting on that journey, Nghi shared: “This is a huge issue that’s incredibly difficult to solve completely. Essentially, the parents of children with adverse childhood experiences may have also endured tough childhoods, unintentionally pushing their children into an endlessly vicious cycle. Research suggests that economic and social contexts can play crucial roles in forming the root causes of the issue, and changing it requires the collective effort of society. We aim for sustainable solutions like improving living conditions and education rather than just monetary donations.”

When asked about his plans after graduation, Nghi expressed excitement about entering the “real world,” and he can’t say for sure if he’ll continue pursuing his current passion. However, living in a volatile era, Nghi advises young people not to push themselves too harshly to meet the standards that modern society imposes. Just keep experiencing; good things will come!