Facilitator Corner: Nghi Quan

FIUTS Facilitators are student leaders from all over the world who welcome new international students, help organize events, and lead activities for hundreds of students each quarter. Read on to find out more about the FIUTS facilitator experience from Nghi…

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Nghi facilitating CulturalFest 2020, the largest multicultural student event at the University of Washington.

Nghi facilitating CulturalFest 2020, the largest multicultural student event at the University of Washington.

 

Name: Nghi Quan 
Country: Vietnam
Major: Public Health: Global Health & Early Childhood and Family Studies (ECFS)
Class: Sophomore

Introduction

My name is Nghi Quan. I was born in Vietnam and currently reside in Seattle. I am a sophomore majoring in Public Health: Global Health with an intended major in Early Childhood and Family Studies (ECFS). 

What does it mean to be a FIUTS facilitator?

It’s a great way to make lifelong friends while developing and refining my leadership competencies. In addition, being a facilitator allows me to help make a home-away-from-home for international students at the University of Washington.

 
Nghi (farthest left) is involved in many activities around campus, including Phi Delta Epsilon Fraternity (PhiDE), an International Medical Fraternity.

Nghi (farthest left) is involved in many activities around campus, including Phi Delta Epsilon Fraternity (PhiDE), an International Medical Fraternity.

Nghi (top right) taking part of PhiDE’s big-little reveal day.

Nghi (top right) taking part of PhiDE’s big-little reveal day.

 

What is your favorite anecdote as a facilitator?

Nghi showing her Husky Spirit while enjoying a snowy day in Seattle. #godawgs!

Nghi showing her Husky Spirit while enjoying a snowy day in Seattle. #godawgs!

In the winter of 2019, I went Ice Skating for the first time and it was with FIUTS! I facilitated the event with two other colleagues and we took a group of 20 students to the Seattle Center’s Winter Festival. I distinctly remember there were a lot slipping, yelping, and falling because the majority of us did not know how to skate! However, it was really meaningful to see people, who met for the first time through FIUTS, lend a helping hand to each other. Students held each other’s hands, assisted those who fell, and taught one another new skating techniques. Near the end, we made a human train and snaked around the rink singing to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.”  

How have you grown as a leader through being a facilitator?

I learned that one is not born to be a leader but it takes experience to become one. The experiences FIUTS provided me taught me to lead by stepping back. It taught me that a leader is not someone who speaks the loudest or looks “leader-like,” but is someone who can serve the community with wholehearted, good intentions.        

Nghi visiting a temple with her grandmother, one of her role models.

Nghi visiting a temple with her grandmother, one of her role models.

What tips or comments do you have for peer facilitators?

  • During events, remember to capture the moments you want to look at years from now.

  • Use gatherings as a place to connect with your peers. 

  • Have FUN!

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Facilitator Corner is published on the FIUTS blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Read past posts by searching for Facilitator Corner on our website main page!

Interested in being featured in Facilitator Corner? Contact Annie Lewis: annie@fiuts.org.

Era Schrepfer