An Le, Class of 2026: From ISHCMC to the United States

After two transformative years at ISHCMC, An Le is taking the resilience, leadership, and confidence she built here to study Finance in the United States.

Although she joined ISHCMC just for the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP), she quickly immersed herself in every aspect of school life. As a student-athlete, she balanced basketball and volleyball alongside the demands of the IB, while also taking on leadership opportunities through ISHCMC Student Entrepreneurship and Innovation Association (SEIA).

Her proudest achievement came from helping organize a national conference for SEIA involving approximately 17 competing schools. While the planning process was demanding, the experience became a defining moment in her ISHCMC journey.

"I developed stronger leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while learning how to manage the pressure of initiatives and academics. More importantly, it showed me the value of contributing to a community larger than myself," she reflected.

Describing her ISHCMC journey as "challenging, collaborative, and transformative," An credits the IBDP and the school's supportive community with helping her become "more disciplined, resilient, and independent."

"What made my experience particularly special was the strong sense of community at ISHCMC," she shared. "I was constantly surrounded by supportive teachers and peers who motivated me to grow and improve."

As a DP Music student, An is especially proud of her music composition and performance projects, particularly those that let her combine creativity with technical skill. She also designed an online theater seat booking system for the school as part of her Computer Science Internal Assessment.

"What made these projects stand out to me was the opportunity to transform ideas into meaningful outcomes through both creativity and technology."

How An Le Created Her Computer Science Project

This fall, An begins her next academic chapter in the United States, where she will study Finance.

Looking back, she is grateful for the teachers and staff who supported her every step of the way and helped prepare her for the future.

To the ISHCMC community, she offers one piece of advice: "Stay calm 24/7. Chin up and keep swimming no matter what happens."

And to her future self, she leaves a reminder that reflects the determination she has built throughout her journey: "Stay hungry, stay grounded, and never forget how far you came to become who you are."

In just two years, An embraced every opportunity to learn, lead, and contribute. As she steps into her next adventure, she leaves ISHCMC with a legacy of resilience, collaboration, and the courage to step beyond her comfort zone.