In fall 2006, the UGA Alumni Association awarded its first Alumni Endowed Scholarship to Vihn Duong '11, valedictorian from Morrow High School in Morrow, Ga. Renewable for up to four years as long as the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA, the $5,000 academic year scholarship is awarded based on proven financial need, incentive and merit. Over the next four years, a new recipient will be added each year. In five years, the Alumni Association intends to add a Graduate Scholarship.
Duong Recaps his First Year at UGA
It is the end of April, which means summer break is just around the corner. But that also means it is almost the end of a challenging, yet exciting stage of my early life in college. So much has happened during my first year at UGA, yet it seems as if my first day here was yesterday.
At the beginning, college seemed a lot different than I had expected it to be. The first semester was quite challenging and frenzied, as opposed to the, if I may, spoon-feeding days of high school. Things got off to a slow start with all the adjustments to a whole new life-style. Compared to the comfortably small environment I grew to be fond of in high school, UGA seemed like a city with no limits, pun intended. Here, I could do almost anything I wanted, whether it is attending football games, hanging out with friends after class, or studying whenever or wherever I felt like it.
My first few weeks of class were frustrating, though quite amusing. I remember I used to get lost around campus taking the wrong bus route and ended up trading an hour of calculus for a tour around the Milledge apartments, which wasn't bad at all!
Although the college workload was sometimes heavy and fast-paced, I was able to adapt by motivating myself to work harder. My second semester was definitely more hectic than the first, but I somehow made quick adjustments in organizing my time. Moreover, I became absorbed quickly in the intellectual, stimulating, and fun-filled environment. College could be rough and stressful sometimes, but I still managed to save time for fun and games. So far, my college experience has been filled with the search for infinite knowledge, numerous opportunities, and an incredible self-discovery. I also had a chance to meet so many different people from all corners of the world and build new friendships that I hope will never end!
As I become more comfortable with the lifestyles here, I know for a fact UGA has grown on me and I no longer feel distant from home. Although summer break lasts only two and a half months, things I know for sure I'll miss are a morning's coffee at Jittery Joes, awesome cultural events from various ethnic groups, a walk with friends to downtown Athens, and much more!
Overall, my freshmen year at UGA has been a wonderful experience and I hope the rest of my journey will only get better!
