NEEC Students’ Summer Visa Renewal and Interview with Mr. Trần Văn Tám

Every summer, NEEC students return “home” to renew their U.S. student visas for free. On a beautiful morning like this, we had the chance to interview Mr. Tám, a parent of two sons studying in the U.S. and Canada, who shared many interesting insights and updates. We invite parents and students to follow along.

Interview with Mr. Trần Văn Tám

Can you introduce yourself a bit?

I am Trần Văn Tám, an automation engineer. I have two sons. One is studying Embedded Systems at a postgraduate level in Canada, and the other is studying Computer Science at the University of Cincinnati in the U.S.

After a year of studying in the U.S., how do you see your son compared to when he was in Vietnam?

When I picked him up at the airport, I was about to hug him but hesitated because he seemed so grown up. It was a very emotional moment.

I see that he has matured a lot. When he was at home, he was just a child, focused on studying. After a year in the U.S., he has developed a more mature mindset, with thoughts that surprised me. For example, he shared that the strength of the U.S. is not only in its military or economy but also in its cultural diversity. The U.S. attracts many talents from various countries, which brings uniqueness and strength to the nation.

Most parents often arrange for siblings to study in the same country or even at the same school for easier support and care. Why did your family decide to send your sons to study in two different countries?

My sons have always been harmonious and loving towards each other. Even though they are both boys, they have never quarreled. Therefore, I wanted them to be independent in new environments where they could grow on their own.

Secondly, I also respect their preferences. Each of them likes a different learning environment. My eldest son loves Canada, while my younger son prefers the U.S. The younger one is studying Computer Science, so he is drawn to the technological environment of the U.S. Moreover, studying in the U.S. offers more scholarship opportunities than in Canada. When he applied to U.S. universities, he received scholarships from three schools. Although some offered higher scholarships than Cincinnati, he chose Cincinnati because of its CO-OP program.

How did you feel when you learned that your son received a scholarship from Cincinnati?

I was very happy. Initially, with our family’s financial condition, it was not possible to send both sons abroad at the same time. From the beginning of high school, I told my son that if he wanted to study abroad, he would need a scholarship because we couldn’t afford it otherwise. So when the first school announced a scholarship, I was overjoyed.

When I started researching U.S. universities, I learned that Cincinnati ranks fourth in the country for its CO-OP program. Our family highly values this program because it not only teaches students job application skills but also provides practical work experience through the CO-OP program.

A regular university program lasts 4 years, but the CO-OP program is 5 years with 2 years of relevant work experience at major companies affiliated with the university. I believe this 2-year experience is a significant competitive advantage when graduating. Fresh graduates often face limitations as employers seek work experience, but those studying at CO-OP programs gain real, relevant work experience. This provides a significant competitive edge and increases job opportunities in the U.S.

With two sons studying in the U.S. and Canada, what are your thoughts on the differences between the two countries?

Before they left, I did some research. After they went abroad, I continued to communicate with them and noticed many differences between the U.S. and Canada.

The environment in Canada seems more peaceful and slower-paced compared to the U.S., and I feel it is safer. It’s like comparing Saigon to a small province (laughs).

The U.S. is more dynamic but feels more chaotic. Occasionally, I worry when I hear news about shootings. However, after my son went there and shared his experiences, I realized it’s not as bad as it seems. In a vast country with a large population, occasional incidents are normal and not something to be overly worried about.

In my opinion, the U.S. educational environment is more dynamic than in other countries, not just Canada. In Canada, students are allowed to work part-time for 20 hours a week. In the U.S., students can also work part-time but only within the university campus. However, with the CO-OP program, students can officially work for companies or corporations affiliated with the university in a 4-month study and 4-month work cycle. This program is different from internships because during interviews, students can negotiate salaries based on their abilities.

What is the biggest challenge your family faces with two children studying abroad at the same time?

Having two children studying abroad simultaneously poses a financial challenge. Parents need to be well-prepared and cannot rely on their children working part-time to cover expenses. I believe this is very risky.

Psychologically, the family is used to being together, so when the children leave for study abroad, the house feels empty and the parents feel lonely.

We also need to be mentally prepared for any unexpected situations, such as illnesses. Even though we call them every day, if they were in Vietnam, we could visit them immediately, but being halfway around the world, we can’t. Therefore, mental preparation is crucial to handle any situation.

If there is one thing you must share with parents considering sending their children abroad, what would it be?

Based on my experience, besides financial and educational considerations, parents need to think about their goals. What is your goal for sending your child abroad? What is your child’s passion? Where do you want them to study? Do you want them to stay in the U.S. or Canada after graduation or return to Vietnam? These considerations are important for a suitable strategy.

I see sending my child abroad as a long-term investment. If you want them to return to Vietnam with strong financial support, choose highly-ranked schools, as they will be more respected in Vietnam.

For those with moderate financial resources, you don’t need to focus on rankings but choose schools that fit your budget. For example, if a student applies to 10 schools and gets accepted without scholarships, it’s better to choose lower-ranked schools that offer higher scholarships, 50% or 60%, which can significantly ease the financial burden on the family.

Thank you very much for your sincere sharing, Mr. Tám. We wish you and your family good health, success, and luck in your work and life.