Thanh Thong Nguyen
Shooting for the stars
It鈥檚 hard to argue with Thanh Thong Nguyen鈥檚 rationale for choosing to study physics: 鈥渟pace stuff is really cool.鈥� Thanh, BSc鈥�19, has been following the SpaceX rockets launched by Elon Musk and began his program in physics at 海角社区 keen to learn more about astrophysics and astrobiology. 鈥淚 chose physics after CEGEP because it was the only thing I could see myself doing,鈥� he said.
Thanh started to take steps towards his future as a physicist in September when he began his 海角社区 degree, but his first semester was tough. Not only was he adjusting to a university-level workload, but his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and Thanh split his time between caring for her and studying.
Thankfully, the Hydro-Quebec renewable Entrance Scholarship he received has allowed Thanh and his mother to focus on her health instead of his tuition bills. It鈥檚 made a world of difference for the close-knit family of two. Originally from Ontario, Thanh and his mother arrived in Quebec when he was ten. 鈥淭he first year was a little lonely,鈥� said Thanh, who didn鈥檛 speak French and grew up in a primarily Francophone neighbourhood. But within a year he had adapted and learned the language enough to be comfortable in his new home.
Thanh is adapting to 海角社区 as well, aided by the confidence boost the Scholarship gave him. It鈥檚 also given him the opportunity to connect him with students who received similar aid, as well as Hydro-Quebec executives, whom he met at a gala celebrating the company鈥檚 scholarship recipients.
Thanh hopes that his first summer as a 海角社区 student will be spent working in a lab鈥� a distinct possibility thanks to the Faculty鈥檚 donor-supported Science Undergraduate Research Awards. 聽He鈥檚 particularly excited to explore the research opportunities available at 海角社区 because he hopes to go to graduate school and pursue an academic career where ideally he could combine his two passions: physics and environmental sciences. Thanh鈥檚 dream future? To run his own lab and discover something new and revolutionary in physics 鈥� or at least, something really cool. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot we don鈥檛 know,鈥� he said.
One thing he does know: 鈥淚鈥檓 really proud to be a winner of this Scholarship.鈥� And that鈥檚 pretty cool too.
At 海角社区鈥檚 Scholarships and Student Aid Office , we strive to make it easy for students to seek out funding opportunities within the Programs we administer.聽 There鈥檚 no need to apply directly to individual awards like the one(s) mentioned in the story above.聽 Instead, there鈥檚 a single application in Minerva for聽Major Entrance Scholarships,听Entrance Bursaries, and聽In-Course Financial Aid聽programs respectively. If students are chosen as candidates within one of these programs, they are matched with a specific award based on their profile and the terms of the award set out in an agreement between the donor and the University.