Anh Dong is graduating this December with a degree in marketing from the Broad College of Business. She is the president of Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations. Dong will be pursuing a master’s in science in marketing research and analytics through Broad College.
I first learned about Michigan State while researching top business and marketing programs. As I explored more, I immediately fell in love with MSU’s spirit, the campus photos, the energy of game days and the strong sense of community.
As I continued my research, I discovered student communities like the International Students Association and the Vietnamese Culture Union. Knowing MSU had spaces where I could feel welcomed, supported and connected made the decision even clearer. Together, the strong academics, school pride and inclusive community helped me realize MSU was the right fit for me.
When I first arrived at MSU, I didn’t believe in myself. I had never been to the United States before, so everything about the transition felt huge.
I doubted my abilities, questioned whether I belonged here, and felt unsure about everything ahead of me. I was quiet, hesitant and afraid to take risks or speak up because I didn’t want to fail.
I grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, spending my early years in the suburbs before moving to the urban center for high school. Moving to the city alone at a young age taught me how to live independently and adapt to new environments. I thought those experiences prepared me for college.
Even with that background, moving across the world was a completely different challenge. The weather was unlike anything I had ever experienced, the culture felt new and unfamiliar and the way people interacted was different from what I was used to.
Simple things like navigating campus, understanding classroom expectations, and adjusting to daily life required patience and flexibility. It took time, but each adjustment helped me grow more confident and comfortable in my new home at MSU.
Today, I am a completely different person. I am more confident in who I am and, in the goals, I want to pursue. I have stepped into leadership roles, challenged myself academically and professionally, and built strong communities that support and inspire me. I am no longer afraid of trying new things or taking on responsibility, and I trust myself in ways I never did before.
The person I am now is stronger, more independent and more self-assured than the person who first arrived on campus.
My time here has pushed me outside my comfort zone, taught me resilience, and helped me develop both personally and professionally. Every challenge has brought new lessons, and every opportunity has helped me grow into a more confident and capable version of myself.
One of the most meaningful experiences in my college journey has been my involvement with MSU Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations (SCNO). I began as a consultant two years ago, then served as the vice president of marketing, and now I am president. SCNO has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader while creating real impact for the organizations we serve.
What makes SCNO so special to me is the combination of community, purpose and professional development. Not only have I learned how to lead teams, communicate with clients, and manage projects, but I have also built strong relationships with people who genuinely inspire me.
Our E-board brought so many new ideas to life, from our first Chicago corporate trip to successful case competitions. Watching our members grow and seeing our work help local nonprofits has been incredibly rewarding.
I realized MSU had become my new home during my freshman year, especially after the tragic event that affected our campus. In such a difficult moment, the amount of support, unity, and care I saw in the MSU community made me feel truly embraced.
Even though I was far from my family and had never lived in the United States before, the way students, faculty, and staff came together showed me that I was not alone and that this campus cared deeply for its people.
MSU has given me a sense of belonging that is hard to describe, and it is the everyday moments such as studying together, walking across campus, sharing meals, and working on projects that I will miss the most.