45 Years in America!

This month and year — April 2025 — mark the 45th year anniversary for me and my siblings living in America!

It feels so surreal that I sometimes have to pinch myself to see if it’s just a dream. While that might sound a bit melodramatic, I assure you it’s not. 

If you don’t know my story, here’s a brief summary:

1. My parents, siblings, and I escaped from Vietnam (a Communist country) in the spring of 1979.

2. After about 3 days and 4 nights and having outran pirates, our boat’s engine broke down leaving us stranded at sea near one of the islands of Indonesia. 

3. Got rescued by a German oil tanker and brought onto a refugee camp on Galang Island, part of Indonesia. 

4. Spent almost one year there and was sponsored by an American church and Vietnamese uncle to come and live in the Dallas, Texas area. 

5. We took a boat from Galang Island (Indonesia) to Singapore where we hopped on a flight to America, first landing in California for a few days, and then arriving in Dallas in April 1980. 

6. That was 45 years ago!

As I shared in a blog post about the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, had it not been for that fateful day and event, my life would have been dramatically different than it has been these past 45 years here in America. 

Here are a few things that most likely would not have happened if I had not spent most of my life in the United States:

1. I don’t think I would have ever had a chance to meet my Japanese wife and have my half-Vietnamese, half-Japanese pre-teen Godzilla daughter (I mean precious girl)!

2. I’m almost certain I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to pursue and obtain my PhD. 

3. I’m almost 100% sure I would not be working in the field of learning and leadership development, helping both American colleagues and MBA students learn about and be equipped with the knowledge and skills to grow and succeed as leaders. 

Here are six things I’ve learned:

1. Stop complaining about your life. If you don’t do anything to change your circumstances, nothing will change.

2. All human beings make mistakes. Accept it, learn from it, and move on. Do not ruminate on your failures and mistakes.

3. Many of the most successful people in the world overcame extreme disadvantages and faced strong headwinds and were still able to reach their goals.

4. Not having everything, being hungry, and wanting something are much stronger predictors of success and motivators to keep you going than being given much.

5. Stay humble, constantly improve, and work on yourself. Your job title, salary, and privilege should not turn you into someone you dislike when you look in the mirror.

6. Be kind and help others, even or especially when they cannot do anything for you. It’s the right thing to do and makes you a good human. Be one!

I’m sure there are many more things I could share but I’ll keep it short. Here's to the next 45 years!

Written By: Steve Nguyen, Ph.D.

Organizational & Leadership Development Leader