1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Insurance
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat
  • TOEFL Testing

Hoa Thuy Quynh Nhu Nguyen from Vietnam: Studying Media Studies and Production Temple University in Philadelphia

Hoa Thuy Quynh Nhu Nguyen from Vietnam: Studying Media Studies and Production Temple University in Philadelphia

Nov 2, 2021

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

At the end of my first semester in my senior year in high school, my family, especially my grandmother, suggested I go to college in the United Stated. I thought about my favorite major, things I wanted to do, and who I wanted to become. Finally, I took the chance.

Why did you choose Temple University?

When preparing my university application, I did a lot of research about my major. My friends and classmates also recommended I look at several colleges and universities, but I did not like them. Temple University came up when I was Googling around.

Temple’s site was very user-friendly, organized, appealing, and explicit. More importantly, I figured out that Media Studies and Production major at Temple was in the top 25 in the U.S., and Philadelphia was one of the four biggest markets of Media and Communication Studies.

What do you like best?

Definitely the diversity. I can choose my classes, arrange my time-table, drop, and register for courses in a very flexible way. Not to mention, at Temple, I have a lot of opportunities to interact with people from different backgrounds, such as international and American students from all over the world, professors with different points of views, and people from a variety of races and ethnicities.

What do you miss most?

I really miss my big three-generation family. I miss my best friends, as well. My friends and I used to plan a whole bunch of things that we could do altogether. Not to mention, I miss my authentic Vietnamese food, street food, and all those home cooked meals.

What was your biggest surprise?

The speed of things. I always wonder why people in Philadelphia and everything here are moving so fast.

... your biggest disappointment?

Fortunately, I have not figured it out yet!

How have you handled:

... language differences?

I have handled the languages differences through five main steps: studying hard, communicating and asking questions, Googling, taking notes, and memorizing them.

... finances?

My grandmother and my family support me. Additionally, when I was accepted at Temple, I was offered a little Merrit support.

... adjusting to a different educational system?

I spent a year at Temple Intensive English Learning Program (IELP) and had many good professors. They helped with my analytical writing and reading, as well as speaking and listening. Everything that I was taught in IELP significantly helped me study more efficiently in university. For example, I learned how to use different kinds of professional formats (APA, MLA, etc.), how to do presentations properly, and how to overcome public speaking.

What are your activities?

When I was in Temple IELP, I went on one-day trips to Ocean City, Washington D.C., New York, and many other museums and places, which were organized by the program. Right now, I am joing TemPAL, a mentor-like program for international students.

How easy or difficult was making friends?

I cannot say exactly if making friends in the USA is easy or not because it depends on a lot of factors, such as our own personalities, the people that we meet, and the situation of the meeting. In general, most of the people in the USA are very friendly.

How relevant is your U.S. education to your personal goals and to the needs of your country? 

I want to be a TV producer who works behind the scenes of TV shows and takes the control of the broadcasting technology. In my country, there is a big demand on professionals in social media production and advertising field. The workforce is looking for people who are trained and prepared with knowledge and skills in the right tracks.

Education in the U.S. plays a very important role in my personal goals, because it provides me a wide range of academic materials, which are not available in Vietnam. I can take advantage of all advanced technologies and equipment provided for my major. Studying in America helps me grow not only as a more knowledgeable and confident person, but it also helps me to fix, improve, and develop my perspectives in every aspect of life.

What is your advice to other students who are considering a U.S. education?

Be determined, prepared, take the chance, and do not hesitate. If you do not know where to go yet, Temple University is my recommendation. 

Follow us:
Written by

Study in the USA®

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Molecular Biology Student Turns “Beautiful Disasters” into Lifelong Call to Service
Molecular Biology Student Turns “Beautiful Disasters” into Lifelong Call to Service
Main image for the article titled Studying English at the University of Texas at Austin
Studying English at the University of Texas at Austin
Main image for the article titled NYU Through Malene's Eyes: A Day in the Life of an International Student and the Key Role of TOEFL
NYU Through Malene's Eyes: A Day in the Life of an International Student and the Key Role of TOEFL
Main image for the article titled Rei Nakatani: Finding the best place to study aboard
Rei Nakatani: Finding the best place to study aboard
Read more

Check Out These Schools

California State University, East Bay

California State University, East Bay

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

English Programs Certificate/Short Term Online
Contact
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

$50,000—$60,000 Year

Bachelor Degree Undergraduate
Contact
Highline College

Highline College

$10,000 — $15,000 Year

Summer Undergraduate 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Contact

Featured Programs

Edmonds College

Typical cost per Quarter: $1,000—$5,000

Bachelor Degree Secondary/Boarding Certificate/Short Term
Learn More

Mission College

Typical cost per Semester: $1,000—$5,000

Bachelor Degree Summer English Programs
Learn More

Mohawk Valley Community College

Typical cost per Year: $5,000—$10,000

Certificate/Short Term English Programs 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Learn More

Related Stories

What is the Difference Between Quarters, Semesters, and Trimesters?

Main image for the article titled What is the Difference Between Quarters, Semesters, and Trimesters?
What is the Difference Between OPT and CPT?

Main image for the article titled What is the Difference Between OPT and CPT?
What is the Difference between a Public and Private University?

Main image for the article titled What is the Difference between a Public and Private University?

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Prodigy Finance

Prodigy Finance

Studying abroad is an invaluable step in your professional and personal growth. Prodigy Finance have helped fund over 20,000 master’s students to pursue their dreams at the best schools of the world.

Read more
Partner service logo for The Intern Group

The Intern Group

Summer plans suspended because of COVID-19? The deadline's approaching for TheInternGroup's virtual/remote global internship program. Gain professional experience, grow your network and make your resume shine from wherever you are this summer.

Read more
Partner service logo for Study-USA Healthcare can give you the certainty of protection in an uncertain world.

Study-USA Healthcare can give you the certainty of protection in an...

Get international student medical insurance for as low as $1.12 USD per day. Our plans are available to any student studying outside their home country and include coverage for Covid-19. Get your free quote and enroll today!

Read more

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Insurance
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • TOEFL Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.