The Penlogue 

I was surprised to find Teacher Nguyen Chi Hieu to be a genuinely kind and amiable person when I first met him. Even now, after talking with the teacher for a few hours, I continue to wonder about my identity. Thanks to him, I thought more seriously about finding myself, something I had nearly neglected for a while. My interactions with him have truly given me invaluable experience that will undoubtedly play a major role in my future successes.

 

I deeply admire and feel grateful to Author Hien Trang, Author Nhat Chieu, and Author Que Mai, who have inspired me to write and brought me closer to literature. Writing to me is no longer only something I do on autopilot, I’m writing sincerely and deliberately. Particularly, Author Que Mai impressed me with her journey of tenaciously pursuing her literary profession, by introducing Vietnamese literature and culture to the international scene, and not being afraid to take risks to battle because of national qualities left a lasting influence on me. She sobbed after reading our immature and flawed posts, and thinking about her made me cry as well. I had the chance to meet a lot of wonderful and brilliant people at Camp Lumina, which increased my faith in literature and those who devoted their lives to it. ​

 

The final noteworthy point regarding Camp Lumina is that it's here that I get to meet new friends who are “out of my league”—people who genuinely help me grow from where I have been. Those who study at my desk, those who sit down to cooperate and write with me, those with excellent writing backgrounds in International school, and even those who are just starting to compose their own work for the first time. All of them are extremely open, ready to share, exchange as well as encourage and support us to create the most comprehensive works. At Camp Lumina, I am in an environment where everyone values and respects one another, who is eager to learn, and who isn't afraid to voice their own thoughts as well as leave room for others to do the same. They are all very willing to share their stories, opinions, and problems so we can all listen and work through them together. This is an ideal environment that I am always looking for, both now and in the future.

 

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to Ms. Binh and Ms. Hai Huong, and Lumina organizers, who spent two days with us in the Ha Noi capital. I'm excited to see and collaborate with everyone again if I have the chance. Thank you fully and sincerely!