The Vietnamese Student Association, established in 2012, is a student-led organization with the purpose of assisting students’ transition to college life and socializing with each other.
The club is also about sharing Vietnamese culture and building relations with Kennesaw State’s other student groups and cultural organizations.
“It is a student organization that’s a cultural club as well as a social club,” VSA’s co-president An Pham said. “People who are Vietnamese or interested in Vietnamese culture can participate and learn more about being Vietnamese.”
For some Vietnamese Americans, they can learn about their heritage now even if they did not have those opportunities during their early school years, Pham said.
One student who learned a lot about Vietnamese culture and benefited from VSA’s social activities is Micah Nguyen, a club member since Fall 2022.
“Before I came here, I didn’t know anyone coming into the university,” Nguyen said. “I’ve met a lot of great people.”
Nguyen has a Vietnamese father and a white mother. His father, a first-generation immigrant, did not know the Vietnamese language and was encouraged to become Americanized while Nguyen’s mother encouraged him to learn more about his heritage.
“The only reason I even heard about the VSA was through [my dad],” Nguyen said. “He said, ‘That’d be a great opportunity. Try to learn some of the language or more about our background.’”
VSA also allows non-member students like Son Nguyen to see the perspective of Vietnamese American students. While he does not consider himself an official member of the club, he does like to attend the meetings and events when he can for the socialization aspect.
“I’m from Vietnam, born and raised there,” Son Nguyen said. “I would never have known other perspectives if I only stayed in my comfort zone. I made connections. It was an eye-opening experience!”
VSA heavily encourages socializing and prioritizes being an organization where its members can have fun. There are events celebrating culture, such as the club’s January general body meeting focusing on Vietnamese Lunar New Year Traditions.
Not all events are culture-focused, though. Some recent activities are more about having the club members casually spend time with each other, such as VSA’s recent bowling night.
“Anyone can join,” Pham said. “You don’t have to be Vietnamese to join. I would appreciate people just showing up.”
For more information about VSA and upcoming club events, view its Linktreeand social media.
