I completed my elementary and middle school education in Cheo Reo district in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. My education was in the Vietnamese language because Jarai and other tribal languages were not and still are not being taught in school. I learned to speak Jarai (my mother tongue) from my parents and family members, and also taught myself to read and write Jarai fluently.

 

In the U.S. I went to Athens Drive High School in Raleigh, NC (U.S.A.) in 1996 starting from 10th grade and finished high school in 1999. Between 1999 and 2004, I went to Wake Tech Community Community College in Raleigh and Craven Community College in New Bern, NC.

 

I transferred to Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, TX in 2004 after receiving the Gerald Hickey Scholarship to study anthropology. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a minor in Asian Studies in May 2007. Following my graduation, I attended graduate school studying anthropology also at the same department, which is the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work.

 

I graduated with a Masters of Arts in Anthropology in December 2009. Currently, I am an anthropology instructor—teaching cultural and linguistic courses. I enjoy teaching these courses!!!