Huy Doan

University: University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Education level: Junior
Major: Biology
Home country: Vietnam

My name is Huy Doan. This fall semester, I will be a junior majoring in Biology.  I love traveling around the world and particularly visiting all the amazing places with beautiful sightseeing, good restaurants and diverse culture. I also love cooking and creating new dishes of my own style, even though I do not cook very well. So far my best dish is “Dry Noodles with Fried Steak”. About my personality, I start out quiet, but when I get to know people well, I become a lot more sarcastic. I believe making fun of my friends and showing my interest in talking to them is the best way to connect with people around me better. I am passionate about science and especially within the biology field. I also have a passion for teaching and helping other students. This has influenced me to develop a strong academic background in order to become a teaching assistant (TA) in Principle of Biology class and an ASUU tutor. Furthermore, my curiosity and passion in biology field grows stronger, and I cannot resist deepening my knowledge. For this reason, I decided to work in a research lab in the Genetic Department. This opportunity so far has not only introduced me to the techniques used in research, but also shifted my entire knowledge about what I’ve learned in class to a higher level.

In addition to all of this, I have found that community service and engagement is another amazing way for me to learn, make new friends and develop my leadership and social skills. During my freshman year, I joined the Bennion Center’s “Freshmen Service Corps” and this program had inspired me to engage more in serving the community. With my service history, I became a resident in the Bennion Service House my sophomore year, and here is where I developed my leadership and social skills more. I got more involved in serving the community by doing Saturday Service Projects. I developed my leadership skills through the Service House dialogue and project site leader. This is where I had precious friendships and connections with other residents who have a different background and interests than I did. After a year living in Service House, I had many experiences and I decided to challenge myself as Co-Chair Director for First Year Service Corps of the Bennion Center this academic year. What I wish to gain is not only encouraging more international students to get involve in community service, but also inspire them to see the value of serving such a diverse community where they can potential learn and develop their interests as well as passions.  My passion to serve the community extends beyond campus. After I got my C.A.N. class done and practiced in a nursing home, I am compassionate about serving elderly people. Hence, I decided to volunteer as the VA in a nursing home next month, and hopefully I will gain more experience by encountering this new community.