Trang Nguyen
Education
Augsburg College, MN, B.A. in Communication and East Asian Studies
Lesley University, MA, M.A., Intercultural Relations
Where did you grow up?
Vung Tau, Vietnam; Bataan, Philippines; Minneapolis, Minnesota
What are your travel territories?
Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee
What is your favorite meal or dish to prepare?
I couldn't pick one...Pho, Bun Rieu, Spring Roll, Salmon in clay pot, and grilled tilapia; all in Vietnamese style.
What was the most memorable news story in your lifetime?
September 11, 2001. I was listening to NPR while driving to work when the second World Trade Tower was hit around 8 a.m. (Central Standard Time). The traffic came to a sudden halt on the highway, and then I looked over to the next vehicle on my right and saw a woman sobbing uncontrollably. She rolled down her window, I did too, and she asked if I listened to the radio. Half an hour later I joined my colleagues at work in a conference room watching the news then witnessed the second tower collapsed. It was so surreal. I was so numb.
What are a few of your favorite weekend activities?
I love grocery shopping at Kaman in Quincy, preparing my favorite meals, reading my favorite books, writing Vietnamese fiction, roaming the streets and taking random photos. That's a lot for a weekend!
What has been your most thrilling adventure?
It would be my junior year study abroad program in Vietnam, where I stayed for eight months and traveled from north to south. The second adventure I must add is climbing the Great Wall of China.
What is your favorite quote?
"A day spent on the road is a day of wisdom gained." This is a Vietnamese proverb that my mom has ingrained in me.