The Thunder Bolt

Jessica Nguyễn grew up in Hanoi, spending three years at Concordia International School Hanoi before graduating in 2019 as part of the school’s then-largest class. Afterward, she attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she triple-majored. Having graduated in May 2024, Jessica is now preparing to begin her Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota this August. Read on to follow her inspiring journey from high school to college and now to the next chapter in higher education.

At Macalester, Jessica’s path was shaped by her openness to exploration and discovery. Unsure at first which direction to take, she tested out courses in linguistics and psychology before ultimately finding her passion in media and cultural studies. This curiosity led her to pursue an ambitious triple major in Media & Cultural Studies, International Studies, and Theater & Dance, with a concentration in Critical Theory. Drawn by the global perspective of media studies, the interdisciplinary approach of international studies, and the creative energy of theater and dance, Jessica crafted an academic experience that reflected both her diverse interests and her drive to understand the world from multiple angles.

Jessica credits Concordia Hanoi with encouraging her academic and creative passions, providing the foundation for some of her most influential high school experiences. Her involvement in theater productions and AP English classes was especially impactful. She fondly recalls Dr. Todd Nelson’s AP Language and Literature courses, which encouraged deep critical reading and independent inquiry. The freedom to choose her own reading material and analyze nonfiction texts sparked her interest in critical theory and media analysis. Similarly, participation in school theater laid the groundwork for her ongoing passion for performance and creative expression, elements she plans to incorporate into her future academic work. Jess would like to thank Mrs. Bloemberg and Ms. Meininger for enriching her theater journey at Concordia.

Jessica’s undergraduate years were marked by a willingness to pursue diverse interests and a drive to combine them into a coherent academic narrative. Her greatest academic achievements include completing two honors theses: one in Media Cultural Studies on Vietnam Airlines’ branding and its relationship to Vietnam’s post-economic reform identity, and another in Theater & Dance that combined a creative project with a critical comparative essay. These projects deepened her love for research and the creative process, ultimately inspiring her to pursue a PhD.

Following her graduation from Macalester in 2024, Jessica spent a year on Optional Practical Training (OPT), gaining hands-on experience in a variety of roles. She assistant stage managed a local theater production, worked as an office assistant for the theater and dance department, managed social media for a Chinese medicine clinic, and served as an apprentice with Broadway Across America. Her apprenticeship included a networking trip to New York City, where she met industry leaders like Tom Schumacher, the mind behind Disney’s The Lion King. These experiences broadened her professional network and gave her insight into arts management and cultural production.

Jessica will soon begin her PhD program in Comparative Studies in Discourse & Society at the University of Minnesota. She chose this program over offers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NYU’s master’s program, noting the strong sense of community and support she has found in Minnesota. The program’s interdisciplinary approach—drawing from comparative literature, cultural studies, media analysis, and critical theory—aligns perfectly with her varied academic interests.

The process of applying to PhD programs was challenging, involving extensive self-reflection, writing, and coordination with advisors. Jessica describes herself as still learning to organize her time and manage complex tasks, but credits her success to the collective support of mentors, friends, and even her cat, Sumo, who provided emotional comfort during stressful times.

Her research will focus on representations of labor in Vietnamese media and cultural products, including film, propaganda, music, and radio. Jessica is eager to access Minnesota’s extensive research archives and benefit from fellowships in moving image and sound studies. She is particularly excited about the opportunity to apply critical theory—sometimes written a century ago—to contemporary Vietnamese contexts, using archival research to examine how media shapes national identity and public consciousness.

Jessica is candid about the challenges of navigating the U.S. as an international student, especially the practical hurdles of renting, car ownership, and taxes. She notes that, while Concordia provided academic and social preparation, the everyday and logistical aspects of living abroad required her to lean heavily on her support network. Her brother, also a Concordia alumnus, was instrumental in helping her adjust. Her partner and friends also provided both emotional support and help with the day-to-day challenges.

Through these experiences, Jessica came to appreciate the importance of building and contributing to a supportive community—a recurring theme throughout her interview. Furthermore, she credits Concordia’s all-English environment and diverse international community for providing a crucial “cushion” in her transition from Concordia Hanoi to the U.S. university system. This multicultural setting and academic rigor helped her develop the language skills and cultural adaptability essential for success in higher education abroad.

Jessica’s journey is driven by a deep sense of curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. She believes that every experience—academic, personal, or even unfinished hobbies—contributes to one’s growth in unexpected ways. Her advice to current Concordia students is twofold: first, cultivate a supportive community and contribute to it, as it will be invaluable in times of need; second, embrace curiosity and don’t worry if your path isn’t linear. She reassures students who feel overwhelmed by their many interests that it’s okay to be uncertain, and that organizational skills can be developed over time.

She also offers a playful but heartfelt recommendation: “get a cat”—not only for the companionship, but for the lessons in responsibility and emotional resilience that pets can provide.

Looking ahead, Jessica hopes to complete her PhD within six years, depending on her teaching and research load. In ten years, she aspires to be an academic whose creative practice informs her research, ideally contributing to Vietnam’s ongoing development and global presence. She is also open to roles in the nonprofit or cultural governance sectors, aiming to use her expertise to support the arts and analyze Vietnam’s evolving society as it continues to globalize.

As Jessica embarks on this exciting new chapter, we can’t help but feel proud and inspired by her journey. We look forward to seeing where her path leads—both in academia and beyond—and are eager to watch the impact of her research ripple back to benefit Vietnam and the global community. We are truly fortunate to have such an inspirational alumni network, one that continues to motivate and empower future leaders. We are proud to count Jessica among our alumni and look forward to the day when her insights and experiences come full circle, inspiring the next generation at Concordia Hanoi.

Learn more about Concordia Hanoi's High School program here.