My First Step in the U.S.: From Hesitation to Opportunity

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When the internship program in the U.S. was announced, I almost ignored it. Only eight MBA students were selected each year, after three rounds of recruitment. With so much competition, I doubted my chances. The deadline drew closer, and I told myself: Maybe it’s not for me.

But sometimes life feels like fate. In 2021, I had nearly completed my MBA in Taiwan and was fairly satisfied with my experience there. I even thought it was the right time to return to Vietnam, reunite with my family, and continue my professional career. After all, I had upgraded my education, and the time I spent away from work was not too long. I believed my previous experience would still be relevant and useful, without the risk of being outdated in a fast-changing job market.

Then Covid-19 struck, and Vietnam went into lockdown. My plan to return home suddenly collapsed. In that uncertain moment, I decided to take a leap. On the very last day of the application deadline, I submitted my form for the U.S. internship program. I thought of it as just a try - nothing more.

To my surprise, I passed each stage: the first screening, the second presentation, and the final interview. I was chosen as one of the eight interns.

That internship was not only a career milestone; it was a turning point. What started as a last-minute decision during a global crisis became a destiny-shaping experience that changed the course of my life.

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