A Minimalist Life: Meet Study Abroad Student Thao Nguyen
Thao Nguyen, originally from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, spent the Fall 2024 semester at JCU as a study abroad student from the American University in Washington D.C. She is a double major in Entertainment Business and Music, and she wants to become a professional music composer.
How did you find out about JCU?
I chose John Cabot University for my study abroad program because my college in Washington D.C. has an ongoing partnership with JCU, and also a good friend of mine studied there and she highly recommended it to me. Personally, I’d always wanted to travel to Europe and learn more about its different cultures. Plus, Rome was my dream place to study because of my artistic interests.
Where does your passion for music stem from?
I’ve always been passionate about anything art related. When I was younger, I had trouble sleeping, and I always loved listening to classical music to relax. I also used to play piano.
For my IB (International Baccalaureate) program in high school, I chose art. I can concentrate for hours, and I have considered becoming a manga artist in the future, but I think that lifestyle does not fit me. I’m a people person: I love interacting with people and exchanging ideas with them. So, I ended up switching medium and took up music again. Now I’m serious about this path: I’m learning about music theory and composition. Moreover, I decided to learn more about the business side of the music industry, so I can be more prepared for my professional future.
Tell us about your experience at JCU as a study abroad student living in Rome.
I took four classes, which is less than what I normally would take as a double major, so it’s been more relaxing here. A highlight of my experience was Professor Ferruccio Trabalzi’s class Rome: Modern City, where he encourages his students to think outside the box and put themselves into historical people’s shoes. For example, while we were doing an on-site visit, we were supposed to think like aristocrats and ask ourselves what they would have done in certain situations.
Another class that I loved was Promotional Videos, with Professor Chloé Barreau. As a final project, we had to watch a list of survival movies and make one into a trailer. I had a lot of fun, and it’s interesting to know how to do this, if you want to work in that industry.
The Student Engagement office has made a huge difference in my study abroad experience. I really want to thank the people who work there – Giulia Ricci, Federica Bocco, Sara Rosini, and Donnatella Bove Parra. They’ve made my transition from the U.S. to Italy a lot better. When I first moved here, I was sad and lonely, and I wasn’t making any new friends. Thanks to the JCU weekend trips, I’ve made some lifelong friends. Students have a great support system at JCU.
What did you learn about yourself while here in Rome?
I would say three main things. I’ve learned how to live a minimalist life: I came here with only one big suitcase and one carry-on. While at first it felt impossible, I realized I needed less stuff. This has simplified my life a lot, and I’ve learned to appreciate the things I have more. It’s mind changing – how you can live a simple life and be more present with people.
The second thing is learning how to live independently and with other people in a dorm, for the first time. That’s a different kind of set skill – being able to communicate when you have a conflict and about household tasks. I had to learn how to set boundaries. That’s a valuable skill to have in the future, if I ever have to live with another roommate.
Lastly, I have gained more confidence. I am the agent of my choices; I do not just passively accept whatever people say. I do have my own opinion. Being from a family of five, the attention was not always on me, and it was easier to forget my own voice sometimes. Thanks to this experience, I learned how to voice my needs and be brave in the process. In one of his classes, Professor Trabalzi talked about living on the marginality and not in the norm of society, and how we need to be brave to embrace it.
Do you have any advice for prospective study abroad students?
For anyone considering studying abroad at JCU, I would say, go for it. However, you need to be aware that – especially if it’s the first time that you are away from your family and your cultural norms – everything will be different. For every cultural shock, there are several phases. At first, you may feel like you’re in a honeymoon phase, but homesickness comes right after that. It’s going to be hard, but you can prepare yourself, for example with coping mechanisms or connecting with your friends back home. Reach out to people when you need to. Try and educate yourself on the culture here. Recreate some similarities to your home in your dorm room. For example, I love flowers, so I always kept them in my dorm, and I bought Asian snacks that reminded me of home. It’s the small things.
Also, do not hesitate to step out of your comfort zone. Make connections and friends and explore. Try not to travel around Europe all the time, instead immerse yourself more in Italian culture and in the city of Rome. Join clubs and go on the JCU trips. You will have some invaluable experiences.
Do you have plans for the future?
I loved it so much here that I would really like to come back to Europe and Italy in the future, either for an MA or to work. But after school, I would love to work in the music industry as a composer, ideally in production agencies like Disney or Warner Brothers Studios. I want to test myself out, I want to at least try. There are so many things I wish to do!
