Erika Nguyen

Erika Nguyen is a Fulbright finalist who graduated in May of 2020 with a bachelor’s in Medical Sciences and a certificate in Minority Health.

Erika’s interest in health, culture, and language allowed her to become involved in a variety of organizations and experiences on and off campus. She joined the Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Cincinnati and later served as External Vice President and President. She became involved regionally, joining the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of the Midwest and served as Philanthropy Chair and Programming Director. Her experiences connecting with the Vietnamese-American student population inspired her to learn more about her culture. Erika was also involved with research opportunities on campus. She worked with Dr. Carolette Norwood at the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies on a book project about how housing in Cincinnati relates to health. She also worked with Dr. Michele Vialet from the Romance Languages Department on a literature review, “Health and Epidemiological Issues in the Syrian Refugee Crisis.” These research experiences allowed her to learn about health issues different communities face. She looks forward to completing an English Teaching Assistantship in Vietnam starting in Fall 2021. As a Vietnamese-American daughter of refugees, Erika hopes to learn more about her culture and heritage. She also hopes to gain teaching and communication skills that will help her as a future physician.