CONGRATULATIONS UYEN!
Uyen Nguyen attended Davidson College as a first-generation Vietnamese American. She discovered International House as a freshman and was inspired by our mission to serve the international population of Charlotte. The summer after Uyen’s freshman year, she interned as our Davidson Education Scholar. This role included assisting the Education Program Coordinator in our Rising Readers Program, a summer program for ESL K-3rd graders to further their literacy skills. Uyen also gained experience helping with the English Tutoring Program and the Citizenship Preparation Program.
Reflecting on this experience, Uyen says, “International House inspired me to be a better citizen of this country and embrace the differences and uniqueness of individuals of all cultures.” The experience came full circle when Uyen contacted the Citizen Preparation Program earlier this year for a mock interview of her own.
She went in for her naturalization test in late April and became a citizen the same day!
She believes that as a society we all must create a welcoming and accepting environment where incoming immigrants feel embraced and supported. Uyen still lives out this belief as a working adult. “I think the process of becoming a U.S. citizen is challenging but very rewarding. People who seek International House services are in good hands."
Congratulations Uyen! We are so happy to have been part of your journey.