TRAVIS TUAN BUI

My name is Travis Tuan Bui. I am transferring from West Valley College to San Jose State University this upcoming fall and majoring in Animation/Illustration. I am the first generation in my family to go to college. My family and I moved to America from Vietnam, and we have been living here for four years. When I first moved here, I fell into depression because I did not have any friends, I could not speak English, and the culture was so different. I had to work especially hard to learn the language and adapt to the environment and the culture. Growing up in a low-income family, I have always had to work hard to earn enough money to help my family financially and to pay for my educational expenses. As the first in my family to go to college, I didn’t have much guidance in preparing for college or exposure to major and career exploration. This scholarship will greatly help me mentally and physically in life and in my academics. It allows me to work less and spend more time exploring internships and opportunities in my major. I am also thankful to have had EOPS during my educational journey. The EOPS grant really helped me to cover school expenses. I am glad to have met so many great people in EOPS to guide me through college and to share every joyful moment with me, not only relating to school but also in my personal life.