Binh Nguyen

Creating Community After Making the Move

A family tradition of valuing higher education inspired recent grad, Binh Nguyen, to leave her coastal hometown of Da Nang, Vietnam, to study at Highline College through International Student Programs (ISP).

Nguyen, who graduated in spring 2026 with an associate degree in computer science, said moving to another country, on her own, and into a different way of life was a challenge, but having one friend at Highline was all it took to help her get used to the different culture.  

Once she got her footing, Nguyen helped other students succeed at Highline. She said that as a classroom physics tutor, she would connect classmates with each other to help them problem-solve and gain more confidence.

In fact, Nguyen’s talent for building community in class was recognized by her physics professor, Aleya Dhanji, who said Nguyen was excellent at bringing people together to work through tasks. Nguyen acknowledged the work was impactful because the students who actively participated in class gained skills needed for their career paths.

“When studying in groups, students would often learn how to explain their thinking and how to listen to other people, preparing them for working in groups later on within their industries,” Nguyen said.

From arriving in the U.S. with no connections to then facilitating classroom communities, Nguyen’s achievement did not go unnoticed. In winter 2026, she was awarded the Academic Excellence Scholarship for International Students, which recognizes strong academic and leadership abilities in challenging courses. 

Looking back, Nguyen said her experience at Highline as an international student was a positive one and commended the ISP for being supportive. “The great advisors helped me keep track of my classes, my international status, and the transfer process,” Nguyen said. “The program also offered multiple scholarships to support and encourage students on their journey.”

Now that she's graduated from Highline, Nguyen said her eyes are set on becoming a data engineer.

LEARN MORE ABOUT Highline's International Student Programs