By Elaine Smith

Thanh My Hanh Bui has been intrigued by science for years, and thanks to a Global Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship from York University, she now has the opportunity to study it in depth.

Bui was raised in Haiphong, Vietnam, by parents who grew up poor and wanted better lives for their children. When she was 14, her parents sent her to Montreal to live with an aunt while attending high school, hoping it would allow her to explore the broadest possible range of career options.

“Their idea was to raise me to be an independent woman with the freedom to choose my career,” says Bui. “I think they didn’t have the opportunity to fulfil their own goals and dreams, so they want to give my sister and me all the chances we can. I’m grateful they’ve let me develop my interests and skills; my mom registered me in a lot of outside activities as a child so I could discover my interests.”

After graduating from high school in Montreal, Bui decided to come to Toronto for Grade 12 rather than attend a Quebec CEGEP, the two-year community college program for students planning to attend university.

“I wanted to leave Quebec, because I wasn’t comfortable with French, and Toronto was larger with more opportunities,” she said.

As she completed her Grade 12 studies, she began looking toward scholarships that would allow her to attend a Canadian university. Bui enjoys helping others and was a member of her high school’s student council, both in Montreal and Toronto. She took part in many volunteer activities at the school, assisting at graduations, open houses and many other school events. Her extracurricular activities formed part of her successful scholarship application, an award that will allow her to fuel her passion for science.

Bui discovered that her scholarship application to York was successful on a school night.

“I was lying on my bed, and I’d just extended my study permit,” she said. “I opened the computer portal to York and there it was. I was in tears. I called everyone I know; it was one of my most memorable experiences. I was so excited that I think I only got two hours of sleep before school the next day.”

Now that she is at York, she is even more enthusiastic.

“I love the campus,” she said. “The food is very diverse, and I love the inclusiveness of the school. There are people from all different cultures and backgrounds. As you walk around, you can see diversity; it’s like a small world on the campus.”

She has already made friends and says it’s easy to do: “You just have to chat with people.”

Bui is majoring in biochemistry because she loves both biology and chemistry. Her schedule this term includes both, along with calculus, economics and computer science – quite a full load that she is juggling in addition to a part-time job. However, she is undaunted and is hoping to join the Chemistry Association once she adjusts to her new schedule.

Writing is another interest and she is thinking about a minor in education or writing so she can easily share her knowledge.

“I’m dedicated to science,” Bui said. “Wherever it takes me, I’ll follow.”