The Thunder Bolt

The lasting legacy of a school is best reflected in the paths its alumni take beyond its walls. This year marks a milestone for Concordia International School Hanoi, with ten alumni now attending the University of Pennsylvania. We are excited to spotlight a few of these remarkable graduates, whose higher education graduation years will range from 2026 to 2030. Their stories intertwine culture, academic rigor, and continued inspiration from their alma mater.

Among these Concordia alumni at Penn are students from American/Vietnamese and American/Colombian backgrounds, as well as individuals from Vietnam and South Korea. Whether forging new paths by majoring in Artificial Intelligence at Penn’s School of Engineering, studying Art History at the College of Arts and Sciences, pursuing Business Analytics at Wharton, or embracing the demanding dual major of Nursing and Nutrition Science, these alumni are united by a commitment to learning—and to creating impact across continents.

 Quan Dao, a Vietnamese Wharton student, highlights not just Penn’s accomplished and ambitious peers, but also the world class experiences and global perspectives gained both inside and outside the classroom. Whether competing in club golf, playing badminton, or being part of the Joseph Wharton Scholars Program and Southeast Asian Circle, he describes Penn as “a place of great academic environment and teachers, and a community all over the US.” Looking ahead, he is considering opportunities with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation and dreams of one day giving back to Concordia in a profound way: “My goal is to donate a building to Concordia by the time I’m fifty—yes, it’s an actual goal and I mean it.”

Isabella Hurley, a nursing student from an American/Colombian family, traces her ambition to the unique support networks at Penn. Involved with nursing clubs, church, and service organizations, she also hopes to give back as a tutor. Looking ahead, she aspires to become a nurse or pursue a nurse practitioner degree. “Penn offers opportunities to advance my career,” she reflects, highlighting the university’s supportive faculty and tight-knit nursing community. The foundation was set at Concordia: “The academic rigor and class structure helped me stay on top of things and equipped me to select wisely among the many opportunities at Penn.”

International students from Vietnam also echo the sentiment: campus life at Penn is a frontier of discovery. Whether volunteering with Penn’s American Red Cross chapter, playing with the Penn Band, or engaging in cultural clubs, they are building communities far from home. One double major in Nursing and Nutrition Science, Bao Nhi Nguyen, describes her goal to work in Pediatric ICU or Cardiology, to gain hands-on work experience before advancing to graduate school. “We are presented with so many chances to discover where we belong, as well as how we can grow and thrive here,” she says. For her, Philadelphia is a city of endless possibilities, and the discipline instilled at Concordia—especially strong study habits—has proven to be a cornerstone of thriving amidst Penn’s academic demands.

For Andy Nguyen, who is in the Ph.D. program studying inorganic chemistry, the allure of Penn was not only the academic challenge but also the chance to join graduate student groups in the department, as well as to participate in the Penn choir and the Vietnamese Student Association.  “I want to work at a national research lab,” he shared, crediting Philadelphia’s vibrant city life and Concordia’s encouragement to “reach out, and show interest to professors and students” as crucial tools for success.

Joining them is Victoria You, a South Korean graduate from Concordia’s class of 2021, majoring in Business Analytics at Wharton. Active in organizations such as Koreans at Penn (KAP), Quakernotes A Cappella, and the Wharton Diversity Inclusion Strategic Consulting group, Victoria describes her Penn experience as the perfect blend of academics, pre-professional activities, and extracurricular pursuits. “I was able to explore all of my interests during my time at Concordia, and it helped me narrow down what I wanted to do at Penn,” she reflects. Currently working as an Analytics & Insights Manager at Procter & Gamble Korea, she credits her foundation at Concordia for her well-rounded success.

Ha Hoang, another recent Vietnamese alum, is studying Economics with a concentration in Finance and ESG at Wharton. Deeply involved with the Assembly of International Students and the Vietnamese Students Association, Ha values the diversity at Penn: “There's so many diverse groups of people and I meet someone new every day.” She notes, “The AP courses really helped prepare me for college and the support from all my teachers throughout my four years really gave me the confidence to talk to the professors!” Ha’s goals include returning to Vietnam in the future to help drive positive change and development within the community there.

Van Anh Nguyen, Vietnamese graduate of 2024, is pursuing Finance & ESG at Wharton, holding leadership and mentorship roles in the Wharton Undergraduate Finance Club, Wharton Women, and Phi Chi Theta Business Fraternity. Her interests lie in Power & Utilities, Renewable Energy, and Banking/Finance. Van Anh cites the abundance of opportunities at Penn and the strength of the Penn alumni network, even as a first-year student. She attributes much of her development to Concordia’s support system and the autonomy the school gave its student leaders: “The autonomy Concordia gave students in leadership positions to lead, explore, and voice their needs is incredible. I am so lucky and grateful to have been a Concordia student and be able to utilize the support system built in to help me succeed.”

Across these stories, one theme is unmistakable: Concordia’s academic rigor, encouragement of initiative, and the cultivation of community have provided the backbone for success at one of America’s top universities. Alumni frequently point to the value of learning to reach out, take initiative with professors, and build peer networks. Their adaptability and confidence showcase not just their personal resilience, but also the far-reaching effects of a Concordia education.

Their journeys are far from over. Whether charting a path in research, health, finance, or public service, Concordia International School Hanoi grads at the University of Pennsylvania already demonstrate the profound global legacy of their school—one forged from curiosity, discipline, and the belief in leaving a lasting impact.

Learn more about Concordia Hanoi's alumni.