Born into a French-Vietnamese family, Milena Garcia, a student at Université Paris-Saclay in France, grew up listening to her grandmother’s stories about Vietnam — its people, landscapes, traditions, and way of life. These stories left a lasting impression on her and nurtured a desire to better understand the country tied to her family roots. That longing eventually led Milena to choose Vietnam as the destination for her internship, and USTH as the place to begin this meaningful journey.
Returning to Vietnam through the call of heritage
Milena Garcia was born in Toulouse, France, into a family of both Vietnamese and French heritage. Throughout her childhood, Vietnam was present in her life through the memories and stories shared by her grandmother. Although she grew up half a world away, Vietnamese culture remained a quiet yet meaningful part of her identity.
As a child, Milena had travelled to Vietnam several times with her parents to visit relatives. Yet each trip usually lasted only around two weeks. Her memories of Vietnam were therefore made up of vivid fragments: bustling streets, warm family meals, and the gentle smiles of loved ones. She had always hoped for the opportunity to live in the country more fully — to experience everyday life in the land where her grandmother was born and raised, and to explore more deeply the cultural values that had always felt like part of her own “DNA”.
An enthusiastic traveller with a passion for teaching, Milena began looking for internship opportunities in Vietnam. During her search, she discovered USTH — a Vietnamese university with a distinctive education model that brings together the scientific, technological, and cultural strengths of Vietnam and France. USTH is also a close partner of Université Paris-Saclay, where Milena is currently studying.
She decided to apply for an internship position as a French teaching assistant and began her journey at USTH in the second half of 2025.
Immersing herself in life in Vietnam, Milena quickly adapted to the vibrant rhythm of Hanoi. “The city seems to never stop moving. It is always busy and full of energy, from early morning until late at night. That is very different from the pace of life in France,” she shared.
Among the experiences Milena treasures most are her visits to her family’s hometown in Thanh Hoa — a place that holds many of the memories her grandmother has cherished throughout the years away from Vietnam.
During her time there, Milena had the chance to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with her relatives. “For the first time, I joined my aunts and uncles in preparing a Mid-Autumn tray for children at a local nursery and watched their lovely performances. I was truly moved to see how much care and effort everyone put into creating such a special day for the children.”
These experiences in Vietnam have helped Milena understand her grandmother more deeply. She often calls her to share stories about her daily life and discoveries in Vietnam. In return, her grandmother tells her more about the homeland, about memories from the past, and about a childhood and youth filled with meaningful moments.
For Milena, Vietnam now feels closer than ever. “The more I understand Vietnam, the more I understand my grandmother — and the more I understand myself,” she said.
Discovering Vietnam through the lens of USTH
Milena’s journey of discovering Vietnam would not be complete without her internship at USTH. While life beyond the classroom has given her new perspectives on the country and its culture, USTH has offered her a sincere and meaningful connection with young, dynamic students.
As a French teaching assistant, Milena works with USTH students in weekly classes, helping them improve their pronunciation and communication skills. Her lessons are often relaxed and filled with laughter, as she believes that when students feel comfortable, they become more open and confident in learning a new language.
For students enrolled in the Vietnam-France double-degree programmes who are preparing for a one-year exchange in France, Milena devotes additional time to sharing insights into French culture and everyday life — the kinds of practical knowledge that are not always found in textbooks. From eating habits and public transportation to social etiquette and communication norms, she hopes to equip students not only with language skills, but also with the confidence to adapt quickly to a new living environment.
Milena said she truly enjoys the openness and friendliness of each class. Since she and the students do not share the same mother tongue, communication can sometimes be challenging. This has encouraged her to become more flexible and creative in finding different ways to explain, guide, and support her students.
“We learn together, laugh together, and share many interesting stories. I have also learned a great deal from the eagerness and positive attitude of Vietnamese students. Their energy reminds me how important it is to remain open-minded and dynamic — both with students and with myself as a teacher. That is a valuable lesson I will carry with me, no matter what path I choose in the future.”
Seeing her students make progress week by week has become one of the most rewarding parts of Milena’s internship and a strong motivation for her to keep improving in her role. On Vietnamese Teachers’ Day, 20 November, she was deeply touched to receive gifts and greeting cards from her students.
Milena also expressed her gratitude for the dedicated support of lecturers from USTH’s Center for Foreign Languages, who have accompanied and guided her throughout her internship.
“The atmosphere at USTH is always pleasant and warm — even in small moments, such as meeting people in the elevator and exchanging friendly smiles,” Milena shared.
For Milena, the internship at USTH has been more than an opportunity to learn and grow professionally. It has also become a bridge connecting her more deeply with the people, culture, and values of Vietnam — the homeland her grandmother has always spoken of with love.
