My Secret Admirer

Recently, I have been exchanging emails with a student of mine.  She describes herself as very shy, but wanted to thank me for giving her confidence in her ability to speak English.  She reads this blog, and has emailed comments about it.  After she volunteered to write something about Việt Nam, I asked her to write something about her daily life as a first year university student.  She did – and here is what she wrote.  I did not edit it one little bit.

I'm happy that you want to know about Viet Nam student'life.In addition, the life of VN student is very different . The students whose parent are rich ,have a very good life ,but the others who are poor have many dificulties in their lives . However ,they are very happy and interested in student life.To me , I'm a poor student ,so my life is also hard.My mother is a nurse ,my father is retired.I have a brother studying in Agriculture and Forestry University .It's difficult for my mother to provide money for me and my brother.Now we are going to cook ourselves because it's cheaper and more convenient than I eat at anywhere else. Everyday I often have breakfast with loaf and milk ( it costs me 3000 VN DONG!  ) .I usually go to market for lunch and also for dinner.
Vegetable is my favorite food,but price is expensive . I often cook a meal for lunch and for dinner.Although my meal is not really good ,I' ll try to get over any difficulty to study .
I hope you can understand what I say ....it takes me 1 hour to write  and send this mail .I  like it very much.

Thanks to the student who only wants to be known as B, you now have a little better idea of how a Vietnamese student lives.

Comments

[Tom Murray]

B

It is so neat to hear from a Vietnamese student. Many students in the US would also separate students into two categories; those with rich parents and those whose parents can not give them much assistance. Fortunately, for US students there are so many financial options that Vietnamese students do not have. There are jobs, student loans and even tutoring opportunities. I do not believe there are many students in the US going hungry, although many of my students cook for themselves and pool there resources to help each other and save money.

Student Loans are a big part of college life in the USA. It's great for students during school because it helps them get the education they can not get otherwise, but within six months of graduating or leaving school you must start to repay the student loans. This can be a big burden for many students especially first year teachers who do not make a lot of money.

I wish you well as a student. You have taken a major step towards an enjoyable, successful life. It would be fun to have you in one of my classes in the USA. By the way, my wife is a nurse just like your mom.

Tom

[layered]

I appreciate this young woman's writing because she gives a perspective that many of us travelling in Việt Nam don't often understand -- we usually only see the richer folks in the restaurants of shops that tourists frequent. I knew that most people in Việt Nam must be struggling to make a living just like a large portion of Americans must do, but it is hard to hear from them. Thank you for publishing this.
-- Mel

[The Hoppy Mailman]

It only took me one minute to read your letter. Thank you for a minute well spent.

[Nhung]

Thank you very much .

[Nhung]

Thank you very much .

[Huong]

B

It is good to have chane to come to university like you, try your best my friend. The same problem happens with all students in our country, we can always write rather well sentences using vocabulary, structures; be confident to speak and try your best. From what you have written proves that your English is very good. You have bread and milk for your breakfast, it sounds great and many many people and I also wish food like you have now.

[francisco]

your beautiful