There is a saying that a name can reflect a person’s characteristics. My name is Tran Ha Chi, and Chi signifies a small branch of a family tree. Knowing that I am a branch connected to a greater whole has given me a deep sense of belonging, and the heart of an empath. Growing up, this was not just an abstract idea. My mother, a social worker, often took me along on field surveys of remote communities. Witnessing the realities of inequality firsthand opened my eyes to my own privileges and ignited in me a desire to create tangible impact.
That instinct naturally led me to Hanoi University, where I am currently a junior majoring in International Studies. Finding this programme felt like a beautiful twist of fate, bridging my roots with my global aspirations.
Before this, I had only travelled outside Vietnam once, to China. The world beyond my borders has always excited me, driving my curiosity about how different cultures, histories and religions shape people, architecture and perspectives. Now I am heading to Thailand, the Land of Smiles. I have always imagined Bangkok as a vibrant City of Angels, where rich Buddhist traditions blend seamlessly with a modern, fast-paced way of life. My destination, Kasetsart University, is a top-tier institution known for its academic excellence. To be honest, stepping into an entirely new culture and an environment filled with exceptionally talented peers makes me nervous, and I find myself wondering whether I will fit in. Yet, despite the anxiety, my overwhelming curiosity, and the honour of being part of this community, are what push me forward.
Throughout my journey to make an impact, I have actively sought out diverse experiences, including volunteering for community service projects. Through these experiences, I came to realise that international development cannot remain on paper; it must fit real lives. At the SOC-ENVI KU Summer School, I aim to learn how global frameworks function on the ground and how the Sustainable Development Goals can be adapted in concrete, local ways. Most importantly, I hope to experience these solutions firsthand through field trips. I also aspire to meet like-minded, impact-driven peers for deep conversations about how different countries navigate sustainability in their own particular ways. I want to be genuinely surprised by different viewpoints and to learn to bridge those differences. In return, I hope to bring my own experiences, spanning my academic studies and my practical fieldwork in Vietnam, to share with the international cohort.
To me, the SDGs are not rigid frameworks. They are a promise to the vulnerable communities I have witnessed firsthand. Living in Vietnam, a nation navigating rapid development, goals like No Poverty and Quality Education strike close to home. This growth is necessary, but it risks creating a divide in which wealth and quality education do not reach everyone. Volunteering as a teacher for disadvantaged young people allowed me to feel that disparity deeply and opened my eyes to its effects on my community and on my country.
The Summer School is the catalyst I need to translate empathy into impact. Academically and professionally, it will equip me with the tools to adapt global sustainability frameworks to local realities. Personally, stepping into this vibrant, diverse cohort will push me out of my comfort zone and transform my sense of collective belonging into purposeful action and a meaningful contribution to society.
Photo caption: Volunteer at the Summer Camp for Orphaned Children, 2026.
Tran Ha Chi, and Chi
