Hi! I’m Amélie, a sophomore on track to major in International Relations or Political Science. I moved from Vietnam knowing that Philly would definitely give me the craziest culture shock ever - but it genuinely turned out to be the best decision I could have made. It really feels like home to me - coming from someone who had my eyes on studying in Europe. If you ever see me on campus I am either at Houston Hall in the center of campus meeting new people, at the school’s incredible gym (2nd floor hidden area behind always has free machines) or in the sauna for hours, jumping into the pool to cool off and right back into the heat. I also have a tendency to leave campus to try out whatever new restaurant just opened in Chinatown - cheap yummy meals are my specialty! I would absolutely love to share my experience here, from finding hidden study spots during finals to being able to balance the chaos of campus and discovering the wonderful rest of the city. Come with all the questions you want, I’d love to share - the more the merrier.

Hometown

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Major(s)

International Relations, Politics Philosophy and Economics, Political Science

Minor(s)

Journalistic Writing, American Public Policy

Clubs, organizations & involvement

After School Arts at Penn Wharton Alliance Penn Boxing Penn MMA Club Penn French Society “Funk” Dance Group

Describe your college experience

Coming from Vietnam all the way to the US was definitely the most shocking experience I've ever gone through. As an American expat I sort of knew what to expect, but Philly is a whole other level of culture shock. I grew to love it and feel like I've been able to

Tip for future students

I'm so glad someone told me make friends in a lot of different places and to not feel trapped if something goes wrong. For each social acitivity, make a group of friends you know you can rely on, even if you're closer to some more than others. Best advice I could have gotten, and will give to new people, is to just never hesitate to meet new people and put energy into new relationships the entirety of college.

Favorite class

Philosophy class: the Social Contract with professor Wodak. It just made me think about the interrelations between politics and philosophy, especially on what moral grounds politics can be founded and the tensions between rationality and morality.

Career goals

I am not entirely sure yet, but it will definitely be in the domain of international politics. I would love to try being a political writer for a newspaper or to report from the ground, in warzones or in countries affected by human rights violations. I could also go to law school to study international law (in Europe maybe since I speak french?) and forge a career in that at an an international organisation such as Amnesty International or the United Nations. I could also go down the Political Science route and work for the Foreign Service of the United States or in diplomacy.

Ideal way to spend a free night

I will plan out a nice meal, go shopping at Trader Joe's with my friends in center city in the afternoon, and make the whole meal for 2-3 hours at night. Then we would watch a movie together that we had planned on seeing, and maybe go out for ice cream or make a homemade desert toegther. After the movie we would talk and relax for a while all together and see where the rest of the night takes us.

High school or secondary school

French International School of Marguerite Duras

Favorite spot on campus

Houston Hall is my favorite place on campus because it's what made me meet the most people who have now become my best friends. Every time I go there I meet new people and have the most interesting conversations, whether it's over a meal or just doing work. The energy is always there and I know when I go there I will always see someone I know and that I can play ping pong with or just talk to for a nice break.