Meet Luan Ly

Whitworth Cadre Two
'08 Graduate (International Business)
Bellarmine Preparatory School '04

The places life takes you

"I could have ended up anywhere in the world…and I ended up in Tacoma, Washington," says Luan Ly referring to the seemingly random process she experienced as her family emigrated from Vietnam when she was only five years old. (A kid may be referred to as a five-year-old, or somebody might be said to be acting like a five-year-old.) Equally unsystematic was the step taken by an outside organization that connected Luan's family with sponsors from a local church, Chuck and Ann Kirby. "If it wasn't for them [Chuck and Ann] I wouldn't have made it through high school," says Luan. It was Chuck and Ann who introduced Luan to the Act Six program and encouraged her to apply to Whitworth. Since being at Whitworth, Luan has found her vocational interests, her soul mate, and several opportunities along the way. Maybe Luan's life isn't as random as it may sometimes seem.

In search of a pool

Luan attended Bellarmine Preparatory School, but was involved with several public high schools because Bellarmine did not have an aquatics program. Competing in varsity Swimming and Water Polo programs for different public schools left Luan with oddly divided identities. At Bellarmine, she remembers hanging around with the "nerdy" group, and no one knew her as an athlete. "Most people probably thought of me as a nerd, but I was proud to be a student and an athlete," she says. It was a complicated time, but Luan made the best of it. "My school didn't have an aquatic program, but it was cool because I got to meet people from other schools…and I felt a part of all those schools," she says.

Still swimming

At Whitworth Luan has continued to use swimming as an opportunity to make the best of her situation and meet new people. Swimming has always been a big part of her life and has brought fun, as well as discipline. "My grades are better during swim season," she chuckles. In coping with transitioning into college life she says, "[being a part of the swim team] made it easy to belong." Though sometimes she has felt the swim team can be a big clique, she has taken away many lessons from the relationships she has built.

Learning from people

Luan has also built relationships with people through being involved in the Water Polo Club, the International Club and living in the dorms with new roommates. "I like to get to know people and have no problem having new roommates," she says. Almost every year, Luan takes a risk in living with someone completely new. "People…my roommates, my friends have a lot to teach me," she adds.

The gift of language

Initially a Communications major, Luan has developed an understanding of effective communications, and recognizes how large a part of "communicating" is played by listening. "Being willing to listen is very key," she says. Interestingly, spoken language may be listening-Luan's greatest gift. She is fluent in Cantonese, Vietnamese and English, and is currently learning Spanish and Mandarin. Luan has been able to apply her amazing mastery of multiple languages not only to bridge gaps between people, but academically as well.

Equipped to travel the globe

No longer a communications major since switching in her sophomore year to International Business, Luan is excited about the potential of using her major and her languages to work at a company like Boeing, Microsoft, or Starbucks. "It's fun to think about all the opportunities," she says. "I don't know where I'm going to end up," she admits in her naturally hopeful spirit, but her experience with "random" events working out for the best leaves her confident that wherever she goes, she will have the opportunity to see the world, learn from people everywhere, and do good for others.

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