Nobody told me that going to boarding school would require me to sacrifice so much.

I have come to resonate with the Vietnamese homonym “nhớ,” which can be translated into “remember” or “miss.”

It was a cold February night. I stared out the window with a bowl of ramen in my hand, silently humming to Vietnamese folk songs that had been engrained in my mind as a child. I had suddenly come to realize how far away I was from home.

Tonight is Tết (Lunar New Year), I thought. Nostalgia hit me as I began to reminisce watching fireworks on my balcony, singing “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới” out of tune, and celebrating to start the new year.  I remember all the familiar episodic images of travelling to the home of my relatives, receiving red envelopes from my loved ones, and eating all the delicious Vietnamese delicacies my grandparents had prepared. All these memories began to fade away and slowly returned to reality. No longer will I be able to experience this celebration for the next four years.

Furthermore, nobody told me that moving thirteen thousand miles away from home would be so difficult. Adjusting to the new culture, the new environment, and the heavy workload was already a burden, but leaving your past life and your family in search for a better future for yourself would require so much sacrifice.

The last day I saw my mother before I began a new chapter of my life in the land of hopes and dreams, my mother simply hugged me and said, “You are so brave. I was not like you when I was your age. I am very proud to have a daughter like you.”

Her words echoed in my thoughts as I boarded my flight to begin my eighteen-hour journey to a foreign country, leaving the home I had loved for the past fifteen years. I long to return those days when I was at home helping my mother run errands before my family gathered together to spread luck, happiness and love. I long to return to those days where I visited the temples and admired the intricate details of the ancient pagodas. I packed all the memories I had made into a suitcase and attempted to discover places where I can make more memories.

Coming to Hill was a decision I will never regret. This community has helped me appreciate my culture more than ever before. I was honored to represent my country when I arrived here and I couldn’t let Ho Chi Minh down. I wanted to share the culture I had proudly been apart of for as long as I can remember. I described the importance of family traditions, taught my friends Vietnamese slangs, corrected them on how to accurately pronounce “Phở.” I also constantly nag them to travel to the place I call home so that they can explore the vibrant culture Vietnam has to share.

Moreover, nobody told me that boarding school would be such a life changing experience. This was a chance for me to explore the diverse culture Hill has to offer, and challenge myself both mentally and physically. I am grateful to have an opportunity to broaden my knowledge about the world. I never once regretted leaving the place I once called home. Even though it was difficult, in the end, I found a new home at Hill. I will always remember my roots, my heritage and my culture.

Tôi sẽ luôn luôn nhớ Việt Nam quê hương của tôi.