My mixing into Australian society was a smooth one. I took up an Australian identity through having many friends from different cultures. However, I have not forgotten my Vietnamese identity like many others has forgotten their true identity. I am proud to be Vietnamese, or Vietnamese-Australian, with rich and different ideas and thoughts.
I joined the Vietnamese Students Association (VSA) in 1995 and became the Internal Vice President for the University of Sydney VSA in 1997. It was a memorable experience for me to be part of an organisation recognised within the Vietnamese community in Sydney. In the same year, I headed the committee that organised the first inter-university harbour cruise, consisting of four universities: VSA of Sydney University, VSA of New South Wales University, VSA of University of Technology, Sydney, and VSA of Macquarie University. Also, I have contributed my web design/development skill to maintain the website for VSA of New South Wales – the umbrella body for all VSAs in New South Wales, Australia.
At the same time, I am also proud of being Australian. I love the landscape of Australia. I have travelled to many country towns in New South Wales. I have travelled to a lot of cities in Australia. I love to walk along the bushland of Australia. Each year, I bushwalk national parks surrounding Sydney several times.
I joined the Vietnamese Students Associations Dragon Boat team in 2004. Despite, over-worked without much spare time, I tried to turn up to the training sessions as much as I could. I love be part of the team. I love dragon boat, even if I was not good at all.