From TDTU Classrooms to the World: The International Integration Journey of Social Work Alumni

The internationally oriented training environment of the Social Work program at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), has enabled many students to confidently pursue study, work, and professional development opportunities in global contexts.

The international journeys of many Social Work alumni began in community-based classes, where students learned to listen to people, understand social issues, and nurture a desire to create positive change for society.

Building on this foundation, many alumni have continued to advance their careers and studies in international environments.

Nguyen Thanh Huy (Cohort 18), who holds a Master’s degree in Social Communication and is currently working at Royal Roads University (Canada), shared that his academic and practical experiences at TDTU helped him develop a multicultural working mindset:
“The skills in community engagement, critical thinking, and adaptability to diverse social contexts gained from the program have given me confidence to study and work in international environments”.

Similarly, “…the knowledge of social work and the human-centered approach from the program have helped me easily connect and participate in international training activities,” said Doan Hong Son (Cohort 20), who is currently working at an international non-governmental organization and recently had the opportunity to attend a training program in the United States. The program covered a range of specialized topics such as Character & Well-being, Work-Life Balance, Grant Writing, ADHD, Anxiety and Autism, as well as models of youth development organizations.

Pursuing a different academic pathway, Ngo Pham Thanh Ngan (Cohort 21) achieved excellent results in gaining admission to the Master’s program in Journalism at Chinese Culture University (Taiwan). Ngan shared that the foundation provided by the Social Work program helped shape a sensitive perspective on social issues, particularly in how vulnerable groups are represented in media and society:
“Being exposed to social issues across various contexts since my undergraduate years helped me develop a clear research perspective when entering an international academic environment”. This approach enabled Ngan to establish a well-defined research direction and achieve strong results during the graduate admission process.

Following in the footsteps of previous cohorts, Nguyen Ngoc Hoai An (Cohort 24), a recent Social Work graduate from TDTU currently working at a social organization, shared the joy of being selected for the Community Engagement Exchange Program (CEE), a community leadership development program funded by the U.S. Department of State, bringing together young leaders in community development from various countries. Reflecting on the journey, An noted that this year’s program received approximately 8,521 applications, while only 120 candidates were selected. An emphasized that academic experiences, community engagement activities, and especially field practice during studies in the Social Work program at TDTU were key competitive advantages that helped build confidence in pursuing international opportunities.

These meaningful journeys of alumni demonstrate that the Social Work training environment at TDTU not only equips students with professional knowledge but also fosters a global mindset, adaptability, and a strong commitment to community engagement. Through interactive learning and practical experiences throughout their studies, many Social Work students and alumni have progressively expanded their pathways into international study, training, and professional environments. These achievements reflect not only a dynamic, practice-oriented, and globally integrated learning environment at TDTU, but also the enduring core values of the profession: respect for individuals, responsibility to the community, and commitment to social development, which alumni continue to carry and promote across diverse contexts worldwide.