Nguyen Phuong Nhung And The Many Ways Of Doing Life
Introduction
Yes, just another government scholarship holder… except she also spent time travelling, telling stories, and having fun like you. This is her roadmap for living college life fully.
It is easy to put people and ourselves into boxes. Study well, and you are a “nerd.” Love photography, and you are an “artist in making.” Good at finance, and you are “that finance bro”. But this way of defining can limit how we act, learn, and grow.
Nguyen Phuong Nhung (Tracey) refuses to be in a single box.
She owns a profile many students are still striving for: ranked first in the class, consistently on the Dean’s List, a MOE Scholarship recipient with internship and job experience. But her story is not only about “that successful student”; it is about trying, exploring, and making life rich while focusing on the main purpose.
You can be focused and curious. You can excel academically and be artistic. You can move fast and still pause to see the dawn’s early glow on a mountain, the flicker of a child’s smile, or the story hidden in a corner of the street.
Fast (And Furiously) Focused
Quiet in the classroom, Tracey let her results speak. By her fourth year in International Finance at I-Shou University, she had earned the top spot in her department. She consistently appeared on the Dean’s List, all while holding a four-year Ministry of Education scholarship.
Yet Tracey never rested on her achievements. At Sanfang Chemical, Tracey managed accounts payable, verified invoices, and navigated ERP systems as an intern learning to juggle responsibilities and work with precision.
Later, as Assistant to the Director for the Taiwan-Vietnam Business Cooperation and Development Association, she expanded her scope: coordinating cross-border projects, managing budgets, and collaborating across teams and priorities.
Life Stories, Not Life Spreadsheets
Outside the classroom and office, Tracey carried the same focus into new adventures across Taiwan, taking part in the “Taiwan in My Eyes – 120 Hours” 2025 competition. Early mornings meant catching the first bus to a quiet village. Late nights meant reviewing photos, planning narratives, and coordinating with teammates.
Winning National First Place wasn’t a surprise. Excellence, she proved, is measured not just in grades, but also in stories lived, experience gained, and life lessons learned.
Photography followed the same pattern. What might have seemed a casual hobby became a practice in patience, observation, and refinement. Days spent capturing shots, waiting for the right light, experimenting with composition. Again, her Honourable Mention in the 13th Fabulous Taiwan! Photography wasn’t just luck.
Tracey’s impact extends beyond her own growth. At Horizon Language Academy, she has taught over 160 hours of Vietnamese, guiding children and professionals alike. Leadership roles in I-Shou University International Students Association have allowed her to coordinate projects and build connections that bridge students and cultures.
Each role is different. Finance trains her precision. Photography trains her observation. Travel and extracurricular activities give her a touch of life. Yet together, they reflect Tracey’s mindset: live a life worth remembering and never stay still.
Don’t Let Any Label Define You
Life is not a series of boxes to fit in. The labels we assign ourselves are often too small for the people we are capable of becoming.
You can be focused and curious. You can excel academically and be artistic. You can move fast and still pause to see the dawn’s early glow on a mountain, the flicker of a child’s smile, or the story hidden in a corner of the street.
Follow I-Shou University’s media channels for more inspiring stories and student updates!
