Spotlight on...
Alex Vu
Alex, a third year Human Biology honors student, traveled to Vietnam last summer with a team of medical professionals to deliver services to small, disadvantaged communities.
The trip was an opportunity to connect with his family roots in a country he had never visited before. It also gave him the chance to bring together his major and the college’s internationally orientated general education in an exploration of a possible career in biological research or medicine. Alex is a strong student leader in the college, where he has served on the Student Council at ERC, as an Orientation Leader, and as a peer advisor in Academic Advising. He was recognized as a “Rising Star” in his first year and continues to earn Provost Honors for his exceptional academic achievement.
Where and why did you decide to serve abroad?
This last summer, I traveled to Vietnam with a team of medical professionals and physicians to provide medical service to the poorest inhabitants of the third world country (in total, we went to 5 of the poorest areas in Vietnam). I went with Global Health Force, an organization founded by Dr. Thuy Tran, M.D. of the UCLA Medical Center. A short article I wrote about my journey can be found at GHF's website: http://globalhealthforce.org/2009/10/vietnam-trip-2009/.
I had tremendous support from my family and friends to serve abroad in a country that I would be unfamiliar with. Additionally the core values behind Making of the Modern World and behind ERC student life programs have really provided the intellectual stimulus and confidence to explore beyond my borders (not just geographically, but also internally). In Making of the Modern World, I learned about the cultural and political histories that are the source of many third-world disparities--many of which are health-care disparities. The global learning experience at ERC extended beyond the classroom, throughout the entire ERC community, and really empowered me to make my impact abroad.
What are you involved with at UC San Diego and ERC?
I have been happily involved at ERC in my three years. I served two years on Student Council at ERC (SCERC), two years as an Orientation Leader, two years on Spirit at ERC (SPERC), participated in ERC's Success Opportunities Access and Resources, and am currently in my second year as a Peer Advisor for Academic Advising.
The ERC community has been extraordinarily supportive of my personal and leadership development. Being in such a diverse, intellectually-open, and global environment has given me the support and confidence I needed to succeed academically and professionally at UC San Diego. Currently, I serve as the Campus-Wide Representative for Associated Students. On A.S., I also chair the Finance Committee which is responsible for managing and auditing the $3.1 million A.S. budget. In addition, I also serve on the Student Health Advisory Committee, which develops campus-wide health-care programs in conjunction with Student Health Services.
This year, I will also be working in a research laboratory with Dr. Benjamin Yu, M.D. Ph.D to conduct research on adult stem cells.
What are your future plans?
I am still learning a great deal about the fields I am interested in. I know I want to engage in something where I can make a large impact. I want to be able to significantly help others with the work I do. One possibility is medical school, but I may also pursue graduate school to conduct research. The unique, global understanding from ERC programs has really taught me to be open to the full range of opportunities out there, and to strive to make a difference in the world!
