Duke Vo hates the question.
He gets it a lot.
But the head of the Global Student Lounge at Mount Royal University concedes he feels pressure to represent his home country.
“Some people ask if Vietnam is still at war, and I have to explain that it has actually been over for 50 years now,” says Vo.
The greatest difficulty for international students isn’t the language barrier, academic writing or even demanding classes, but a full-time ambassadorship they never signed up for.
“I wish my country were known more for all the other things, like beautiful nature, culture and great food.”
DUKE VO
Vo did not expect the constant need to explain his culture, the history of his country, and to deal with people’s misconceptions about them. This constant ambassadorship, he says, causes more stress than learning a new language.
“I wish my country were known more for all the other things, like beautiful nature, culture and great food,” Vo adds.
Vo sees himself as an ambassador for his country, a responsibility he takes seriously.
“I was taught since I was young by my teachers that if you go to other countries as tourists or students, you are representing the country,” Vo explains.
This advice weighs heavily on Vo, “It is a big responsibility, especially if you do something bad and then people associate your country for what you just did,” Vo said
Common concern
His concerns are common at MRU’s Global Student Lounge.
The space, a vibrant, peer-driven university service staffed by students, provides a dedicated space for all students to meet, study, and engage in social and cultural activities.
The need for this support system is clear.
According to the MRU Annual Report, in the 2024-2025 academic year, MRU welcomed 81 international exchange students. Since Spring 2024, the lounge has supported more than 350 students through onboarding and community-building initiatives.
These programs were delivered by two student volunteers and 28 trained volunteers.
Christine Jensen, an international education intern, acknowledged how her work demanded a shift in perspective.
“I ask questions rather than make assumptions because so often we are wrong,” she said.
“The best way that I can think of is to just do a lot of listening – asking questions that assume nothing crucial, such as ‘What do you do during Christmas back home?’ because that question itself forces the asker to define home,” she added.
Listening and resilience
Ultimately, the role of an ally demands intentional self-correction, placing the burden of cultural education on yourself rather than the student.
“It’s about listening and being willing to leave your pride behind, being okay with being wrong,” Jensen adds.
Despite these significant struggles, students find resilience in the community. Vo advises incoming students to take advantage of the support systems available to them.
“I would say MRU and Canada itself are very diverse so that anyone can find their own community,” Vo said.
Overall, the core struggle for international students is not finding their voice, but finding a listener. The actual resolution lies with the host community.
As Jensen has learned, the best way to support a stranger is not to ask them to explain their history, but to show that you are willing to learn and listen.