Imagine not being able to speak or understand the native language of a country when you move there. This was the experience of University sophomore Anh-Tuan "David" Huynh when he came to the United States six years ago.

Today, Huynh, who was valedictorian of his high school, speaks fluent English and holds a scholarship from MBNA America to attend UD. Clad in a short-sleeved shirt, jeans and sneakers, he looks like many other American students.

"My parents moved to America because I would not have been able to go to college if we stayed in Vietnam," Huynh says. "My father had worked for the South Vietnamese government, so it would not have been allowed."

Because he had served as a South Vietnamese official, David's father was put in prison and forced to do hard labor for three years after the communists took over in 1975.

"I think that the communists did not want children of the earlier regime to have a good education because the present government is afraid of being overturned," Huynh says.

"If I still lived in Vietnam, I would probably be working as an electrician or a mechanic," he says.

To ensure their son would have a brighter future, Huynh's parents, Thanh and Xinh, applied for permission to immigrate to the United States. They were interviewed at the U.S. Embassy, and David says, "I was totally nervous about the interview, but all they asked me was if I was single."

Upon their arrival in the United States, the first thing that Huynh noticed was all the different types of automobiles available. "I love cars, especially Acura, Honda and Audi brands. I like any car that has nice lights," he says.

Huynh's family decided to settle in Washington, D.C., because his uncle lived there. Then, six months later, the family relocated to Laurel, Del.

"When my mom went to visit friends in Laurel, she liked how quiet it was, compared to the city life of D.C.," Huynh says.

Learning English was a challenge, but Huynh took ESL (English as a Second Language) classes and was helped by his American godmother. His hard work was rewarded with his MBNA scholarship. He is majoring in computer science at UD, although he had no experience with computers until he received one two years ago.

"My parents bought me a computer for my birthday in my junior year of high school. I guess I have an interest in computers because I just figured out stuff day by day," he says.

Huynh says it's important to develop a relationship with his University professors. "I make an effort to go to my instructor's office during office hours because I find the material easier to learn when I know the professor on a personal level," Huynh says.

His computer science instructor, Jeffrey Six, says, "David is a very well-motivated student. He came to my office a few times, and when he did so, he displayed a good understanding of the course material. He often came to extend his knowledge beyond what was required or expected of him in the course.

"He seemed very interested in the subject and was motivated to do well. I could tell that he always made an effort to learn the material outside the scope of the class--for self-improvement and knowledge," Six says.

During his freshman year, Huynh lived in the Ray Street Residence Hall Complex, on a floor specifically for students with an interest in technology, called a Technology Community. As a sophomore, he will reside in the Pencader Complex.

"David was always working on assignments for the University," Ray Street Residence Assistant Sean Green says. "He also took part in programs sponsored by students on our floor to help other students with technological questions. He is a nice kid and has become my friend."

Like the majority of students, Huynh has reacted to University life in a familiar way. "When I'm up at school for a long period of time, I really miss my mom's Vietnamese cooking," he says. *

--Shannon Albers, CHEP 2001