More than just a Leadership Training

As I walked through the Yale University campus on the last day of my formal Yale World Fellow program, I still felt surreal as this is the end of an era. I felt bittersweet looking back to the last 4 months - by all means it was the most amazing time of my life.

This time last year, just after submitting this application, my life turned upside down, and this fellowship was my only HOPE that kept me going through those darkest months. Magically, out of two thousand applications globally, I was so lucky to be chosen. If there is one thing I learned through that process, it is to never lose HOPE no matter how bad the situations are. Looking back to the announcement day, I still have goosebumps.

When I read my fellow friends’ bio, I was nervous, they are super high achieving leaders, holding degrees from Havard, Oxford, Stanfords, MIT to name a few and other highly recogised universities. They worked in big global organisations, governments or own big tech companies. I was asking myself many questions “what can I bring to the table as what I am doing is still somewhat very small”. I remember my sister (in life) Cat Thao Nguyen hosted a farewell dinner before I left. She gave me a notebook called “The road home” - the road home to yourself. She held my hands tightly and said “You deserved this opportunity and you are equal to everyone else who joined this prestigious program”.

I arrived at the apartment in New Haven after 35 hours traveling from half of the globe, but the feeling was so light, I was so moved by the care of the Program staff (aka Alice) who has prepared everything for me, from food to fruit to coffee (yes lots of coffee as she knew I am a coffee addict), even the little things like detergent, wipes and washing liquids, were all provided with care. My mentor texted me right after that, and I shared with her how I felt. She said to me “Enjoy it and remember to care for others the way you are cared for”. I asked the Director in our one on one session how they managed to do all that and she simply replied “Because we care”. That first impression made me feel HOME the minute I arrived.

Not long after, I got COVID. I had my friend who I never met drop me groceries, other friends made sure they are available if I need anything, most of them, I have never met before. My first time meeting all of them and the program staff, was actually on zoom, with my high temperature, prepared for my opening story and learned from my friends’ stories via zoom for the first week, I was worried that I missed out a lot and was way behind everyone.

When we came to Yale University, I guess everyone was wearing a professional mask, an important job title. I am glad we dropped all that, to be with each other and for each other, to be vulnerable but stay authentic. At times, I felt peer pressure, low energy, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, but thanks to my friends, who lifted me up, created a safe environment for me to ask for feedback and gave me constructive feedback. I never forgot a close friend who offered to have coffee to learn more about me, another one invited me to her place for tea so we can have intimate conversations and share feedback - a brother who came earlier to cook with me so we can talk more one-on-one…and the many walks we did together to and from school, these people have constantly given me confidence throughout the program. I thank them for being so generous, genuine and supportive. We shared so many trips to New York, East Rock, retreat, meals, parties, drinks, and laughter together which made it so hard to say goodbye.