OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Born in Vietnam but now a US citizen Diep Vuong, was only 16 when she escaped on a crowded river boat out to sea from Vietnam due to the war. Her family had been on the losing side of the Vietnam War and had no choice but leave. She was rescued at sea by a Dutch Shell oil exploration boat and brought to a refugee camp in Singapore. Eventually, Vuong made her way to Richmond, Virginia. She worked diligently to learn English, to earn money for rent and food, to finish high school and she was lucky enough to be accepted to Harvard.