Thien Nhan (Kiwi), Class of 2018, shares unique study abroad experiences in the US and Australia

Our Alumni from all over the world have inspirational stories to share. You’ll also learn how their exciting experiences and unique opportunities at BVIS and abroad have influenced their passion, career goals and personal lives.

BVIS is delighted to reconnect with Thien Nhan (Kiwi) – an alumnus of the Class of 2018, who has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Monash University, Australia. Kiwi is the Founder and Managing Director of Le Blanc. Coffee & Spaces in Ho Chi Minh City, which aims to foster a creative, innovative, and high-performance workspace community. Through this project, Kiwi also hopes to support young talents and Vietnamese businesses while contributing positively to the local ecosystem.

Sharing about his study abroad experience at both George Mason University, U.S., and Monash University, Australia, Kiwi emphasised, “Studying abroad for me was a journey to broaden my horizons and discover new frontiers. During my time in dormitories for international students, I had the opportunity to make friends with talented individuals from various cultures, fields, and mindsets. Meeting such brilliant young people provided me with a global perspective, but most importantly, it pushed me to strive even harder in my journey of learning and self-improvement.”

In his early days in the U.S., Kiwi felt overwhelmed by the culturally diverse environment. His advice for BVIS students is to stay strong and be open to new things, view challenges as opportunities for personal growth, and have the courage to step out of their comfort zone.

A major reason Kiwi chose to switch to studying in Melbourne, Australia, was its proximity to Vietnam and Southeast Asia, an ideal spot for his business expansion and networking, and pursuing a career in Marketing. 

From a young age, Kiwi had a special interest in creative fields such as art, music, and media, and this passion was further nurtured during his time at BVIS. Kiwi’s teachers still fondly remember him as a charming, dynamic, and creative student who actively participated in extracurricular activities. Kiwi cherishes the experiences, friends, and teachers at BVIS who helped him grow, especially the fundraising activity for the community trip to Tanzania, Africa – an incredible experience that he believes taught him a lot about empathy and caring for those around him.