Gloria Pham
2023 WISLI Vietnamese Student
Why did you choose to study at WISLI? What motivated you to choose our program?
I was motivated to study at WISLI (and SEASSI more specifically) not only because of its high repute, but because the rigor and payoff in language proficiency was well attested to by my own colleagues and professors. Few programs offer intense study in Less Commonly Taught Languages such as Vietnamese, and fewer are able to provide the in-depth instruction that yields a strong aptitude across speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. With SEASSI, however, I was able to leave the program with confidence in my ability to communicate in Vietnamese and navigate Vietnamese-language resources. Furthermore, I also chose to study at WISLI because I knew that being a part of the WISLI network would allow me to meet working professionals and scholars across disciplines whose perspectives would doubtlessly enrich not only my experience of the program, but would also shape me both personally and as a researcher.
How has learning a less commonly taught language enriched your personal and professional life?
Learning a less commonly taught language has enhanced my personal and professional life in invaluable ways. For instance, my increased proficiency in Vietnamese has allowed me to fortify my connection to the Vietnamese and Vietnamese American community. I have never underestimated the impact that a few words of greeting in one’s native language can have, and such an impact is doubly clear to me now after experiencing the rapport and reciprocity that comes from conversing with someone in a shared tongue.
Professionally, learning Vietnamese through SEASSI has provided me with the training to express myself with much more precision and nuance. Coming into the program as a heritage speaker, I did not feel that my conversational level of Vietnamese was adequate to convey my research areas to family members or to access Vietnamese-language materials. However, because SEASSI is well-tailored for researchers, I feel much more adept at explaining my professional endeavors in Vietnamese without losing out on technicality.
What about WISLI/UW-Madison stands out to you?
What stands out to me about WISLI and UW-Madison is the openness, enthusiasm, and support of the community. The genuine connections that I have been able to forge with fellow classmates, even in a virtual setting, have surprised me the most. Language learning with such an encouraging and earnest group has been a deeply fulfilling experience, and I am thankful to have met so many friends from other countries,
professions, and disciplines outside my own. Beyond proficiency in Vietnamese, I leave SEASSI shaped by everyone I have had the honor of studying with.
How do you plan to apply proficiency of your target language and cultural skills to your personal/professional journey?
In many ways, my personal and professional goals are somewhat intertwined. For instance, I am currently interested in the ways that examining Vietnamese American literature in Vietnamese (rather than English) might unveil the complicated and vexed perspective of the Southern Vietnamese after 1975, a perspective that has been largely occluded from Vietnam War narratives. Relatedly, I hope that my increased aptitude for Vietnamese will enable me to discover more about my own family history as Southern Vietnamese refugees.
What were some of the highlights of your program? What events did you particularly enjoy?
For me, the most memorable highlights of the program were the events that brought together all language classes across SEASSI—in particular, Poetry Night and SEASSI Night. These events showcase how SEASSI offers so much more than language instruction, but also cultural immersion and community building. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the dances, songs, and skits organized by the other languages classes in addition to seeing just how many people chose to come together to spend the summer committed to studying these less commonly taught languages.
What role did the WISLI Tuition Scholarship play when you were making decisions? How would you encourage other students who might be interested in the scholarship to apply?
The WISLI Tuition Scholarship played a significant role in my experience of SEASSI, as I was able to devote my time to focusing on coursework rather than juggling time commitments required by other sources of funding. In other words, the assistance provided by the scholarship gave me the means to take full advantage of everything SEASSI has to offer, from attending language table, office hours, cultural events, and lectures, to presenting at the WISLI conference. I would encourage other students to apply for the WISLI Tuition Scholarship by emphasizing that each of the WISLI language institutes provides an overwhelming number of opportunities to learn, network, and grow both as an individual and scholar, and the generosity of this scholarship will enable students to maximize their experience of the program.
What advice would you give to students who want to study the same language as you?
I would advise students interested in learning Vietnamese to pace themselves and to be comfortable with making mistakes. As a tonal language, Vietnamese is especially daunting, but with steady determination and practice, great progress is achievable!
Although the program is quite rigorous, the instructors are incredibly patient and generous in making time for one-on-one tutoring, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Finally, something that helped me immensely throughout the program was engaging with my classmates. Because we were all on the same learning journey together, we were able to create a fun, active learning environment that guarded well against burnout. Fellow classmates are an immense source of solidarity and will transform your SEASSI experience!
What is your favorite expression in the language you studied this summer?
My favorite expression that I’ve learned this summer is “xin lỗi, một lần nữa!” which means “one more time, please!” My classmates and I often asks our instructors to repeat themselves, so it has become a familiar refrain that I will always fondly associate with our class. We are even getting our own class T-shirts made with the phrase on it!