The Thunder Bolt

Recently, our Director of Counseling, Mr. Ben Compton, visited several of our alumni who are currently attending Midwestern universities in the United States, and one alum who has already graduated from university. Mr. Compton is now in his 8th year at Concordia Hanoi and we are fortunate to have a counselor who is committed to supporting our students, even after graduation from Concordia. Our entire counseling team is dedicated to helping students find colleges that are the best fit for their life goals and aspirations, while also providing ongoing guidance and check-ins to support them throughout their college experience.

Alumni from Concordia Hanoi are currently enrolled at a variety of outstanding colleges and universities that Mr. Compton visited on his recent travels to the Midwestern region of the United States, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, Purdue University, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Oberlin College. Graduates are pursuing a broad range of majors including Psychology,  Economics, Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering, and  are actively participating in a diverse range of campus organizations, academic research, athletics, and leadership programs. Many have clear post-college plans, including moving on to graduate studies and entering industry or academia. These alumni cited Concordia’s commitment to prepare them academically, to help them develop time management skills, and to encourage them to participate in activities outside of the classroom as being instrumental to their university transition and success.​ Read more below to explore the impressive achievements and experiences of these alumni.

Ryo Adachi, originally from Japan, graduated from Concordia in 2018 and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Economics at Oberlin College in 2022. While at Oberlin, Ryo was deeply involved in the campus community, taking on numerous leadership and support roles such as Peer Advising Leader, Admissions tour guide and Senior Fellow, Japanese Student Association member, and participated in the Arts and Sciences orchestra. Additionally, Ryo served as a writing and speaking associate, Japanese language tutor, and ESOL teaching assistant, reflecting a strong commitment to supporting multilingual and diverse students. After graduation, Ryo began working as a staff member at Oberlin College with aspirations to advance in higher education and curriculum design. Ryo reflects that the mentorship and faculty engagement at Oberlin were truly transformative, while the AP courses taken at Concordia provided the foundation and confidence needed for advanced coursework at Oberlin.

Binh Minh Tran, a Vietnamese national and recent graduate of Concordia Hanoi in 2025, is currently studying Computer Science with an engineering focus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, expecting to graduate in 2029. Binh Minh is actively involved in a research club exploring reinforcement learning, and participates in the badminton club. While still exploring career options, Binh Minh is considering paths in both industry and research. A highlight of his college experience has been the greater freedom and expanded opportunities available to him at the University of Illinois. Binh Minh attributes an easy academic transition to the similar structure of classes at Concordia, which helped build a strong foundation for success in college courses.

Yui Ishizaki, a Japanese national and 2025 graduate of Concordia Hanoi, is pursuing a degree in Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Expected to graduate in 2029, Yui is actively involved in a range of campus organizations, including the Undergraduate Pre-PhD Society (UPS), Brain Matters, the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), UNICEF at UIUC, and the Global Educators Program. Yui describes the university environment as especially friendly and plans to continue on to graduate school to earn both master's and doctoral degrees. Reflecting on the journey from high school to university, Yui credits Concordia for providing the encouragement and preparation needed to join various clubs and to confidently start new activities, fostering both academic and extracurricular growth.

Andrew Nguyen, a Vietnamese graduate of Concordia (2023), is pursuing a degree in Business and Information Analytics at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the  University of Michigan, and is set to graduate in 2027. He is actively engaged in numerous campus organizations, including Michigan Wealth and Asset Management, Michigan Equity Research, V1 Michigan, Tech+ Consulting, the Asia Business Conference, and the Vietnamese International Student Association. Driven by a passion for finance and analytics, Andrew aims for a career in high finance, asset management, investment banking, or sales and trading. He finds the competitive atmosphere at Michigan both humbling and motivating, providing a realistic glimpse into life beyond academics and fostering significant personal growth. Andrew credits Concordia with preparing him for both academic challenges and effective time management, which have become lifelong strengths in his college journey.

Andrew Wee, who has roots in both the USA and Korea, graduated from Concordia in 2025 and is studying Computer Science at Purdue University, with an expected graduation date of 2029. His college involvement spans from serving in church ministry and taking part in a machine learning club, reflecting an interest in both community service and faith, as well as technical innovation. Andrew plans to pursue a career in the computer science sector after graduation. He most appreciates the vast opportunities for socializing and being part of the dynamic campus community at Purdue. Andrew also credits Concordia’s similar academic workload and expectations for making the academic transition to university smooth and manageable.

Jerry Phung, a Vietnamese graduate of Concordia Hanoi's class of 2022, is pursuing a degree in Finance at Purdue University's School of Business and is set to graduate in 2026. Jerry actively participates in intramural sports, which allows him to expand his network and make the most of Purdue's large campus community. Looking ahead, Jerry is considering both entering the workforce and continuing with further education. He highlights that the vast networking opportunities at a large institution are among his favorite aspects of his college experience. Jerry also credits Concordia’s discussion-based, small class environment for preparing him well for the academic and social adjustments required in college.

Nhi Duong, who graduated from Concordia in 2024, studies Economics at Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and is on track to graduate in 2028. She is actively involved in a variety of campus clubs, including the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), Scholars of Finance, ISBE business club, and Kdance, which enriches her university life with professional and cultural engagement. Nhi plans to build her career in Asia after graduation. She treasures the supportive friendships she’s developed at Northwestern and recognizes Concordia’s rigorous AP courses and counseling services as key elements that helped prepare her for high academic and personal expectations at university.

As we celebrate these accomplishments, it's clear that the close relationships fostered at Concordia Hanoi continue to benefit our alumni long after they leave our campus. The continued guidance and mentorship provided by Mr. Compton and our dedicated counseling team help ensure that every student is not only prepared for the challenges of university life but is also supported throughout their educational experiences. Concordia’s commitment to nurturing both academic and personal growth enables our graduates to thrive at leading institutions and positions them for ongoing success in whatever paths they choose. We look forward to seeing even more Concordia alumni excel, knowing they remain part of a caring and supportive community and will always be valued and supported as members of our Concordia Family.

Learn more about Concordia Hanoi's alumni.