In a small classroom in the heart of Saigon, where the whiteboard replaced words and eye contact replaced sound, Nhã Tiên first learned how to communicate with deaf children. The eager eyes, innocent smiles, and curiosity about the world planted in her a seed of hope—for education, for dialogue, and for a journey to help deaf children find their own voice.

From that quiet classroom, she gradually built her path through creative projects and thoughtful essays, ultimately earning a full scholarship to Soka University (USA)—an institution globally recognized for its philosophy of peace and human-centered education.

Let’s explore Nhã Tiên’s inspiring journey—from volunteering at the Bình Thạnh Hope School for Deaf Children to pursuing her dream of transforming deaf education worldwide.

1. A Shared Connection with Deaf Children

Nhã Tiên’s path into special education began with a simple conversation with her mother’s friend. Motivated by a spirit of service, she became a volunteer at the Hope School, a place of learning for deaf children.

On her very first day, she was struck by the silence—no sounds of chatter or laughter, only communication etched into expressions, gestures, and tireless effort. Here, she taught math: from basic numbers and addition to commonly used terms. Without knowing sign language well, she wrote clearly on the board, spoke slowly for lip-reading, and relied on small hearing aids as fragile bridges for connection. Lessons often took longer, but in return came bright eyes of understanding, respectful manners, and shy, heartwarming smiles that fueled her perseverance.

Her commitment extended beyond the classroom. Together with other MiYork students and mentors, Nhã Tiên developed an idea for a smartwatch that could “translate” sign language, aiming to make communication more accessible and independent for deaf children. This idea was later presented in an innovation and entrepreneurship competition, embodying her long-term desire to support this community.

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2. Supporting Deaf Children: Both a Revolution and an Evolution

In her Soka University application essay, Nhã Tiên was asked: “Between revolution and evolution, which is more essential for building a better future?” Guided by her MiYork mentors and her aspiration to become an educator for deaf children, she answered: true change can only last when revolution and evolution go hand in hand.

This belief shaped her work on the “Hoài Ân” anthology, created with her school’s Papersane Book Club at Trần Đại Nghĩa High School. The book, filled with poems and essays honoring teachers, represented a milestone in the club’s six-year history. Many called it a revolution—marking the first time the club produced a polished, published work that shared heartfelt stories with the community.

But for Nhã Tiên, behind that achievement was also evolution: the quiet persistence of earlier generations who nurtured writing skills, mentored new members, and passed down inspiration year after year. She and her peers were simply another link in that long chain, and it was this accumulated effort that allowed Hoài Ân to become reality.

She sees the same pattern in the deaf community. The development of sign languages, the adoption of hearing aids, and cochlear implants may look like sudden revolutions, but in truth, they are the outcomes of decades of gradual evolution—born from basic communication needs, systematized into national sign languages, and eventually leading to International Sign.

Even in Vietnam, she noticed this process first-hand: the sign she had learned online for “division” differed from the one her students actually used. Similarly, hearing aids and cochlear implants exist only because of years of research, testing, and refinement. These changes were quiet, but they reshaped lives.

From this, Nhã Tiên learned that true progress in special education is not built on sudden upheavals alone. It requires patient listening, steady learning, and constant experimentation—just like the evolution of sign language itself.

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3. Soka: Where Passion Meets Purpose

Nhã Tiên’s love for Japanese began at the Izumi Language Center, where phrases like “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” and “Arigatou gozaimasu” became more than just lessons—they opened a door to Japanese culture: respect, humility, and the philosophy of Ikigai—finding one’s life purpose through passion and contribution.

She realized that Soka University of America (SUA) perfectly embodied these values: nurturing passion while providing the foundation for meaningful action. She was particularly drawn to its small-class model and discussion-based learning, which she believes will allow her to deeply explore special education and design better tools for deaf students.

She hopes to work with Professor Esther Chang, known for her research on child development in family contexts, to gain a deeper understanding of special-needs learners and design more holistic curricula for them.

After graduation, she dreams of improving the teaching methods at the Bình Thạnh Hope School for Deaf Children—the very place she once taught—by introducing experiential learning and personalized learning pathways. Eventually, she hopes to bring these approaches to other schools across Vietnam, ensuring that every student, whether they communicate by speech or by sign, has equal access to knowledge and the confidence to pursue their future.

MiYork celebrates Nhã Tiên’s full scholarship to Soka University and wishes her a brilliant journey ahead, carrying her passion for education into a brighter future.

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