FOREVER PHOENIX!

 Welcome, Class of 2026

 Message from the Head of School

 Career Opportunity: Part-Time Research Assistant with SNV Vietnam

 The Global Reunion Tour: Seoul • Tokyo • Amsterdam

Alumni Notes

Meet Our First “Double Phoenix”

CheonSub Sim (Class of 2000) dreamed of his children following in his footsteps at UNIS Hanoi, but he knew multiyear wait lists might get in the way. In 2012, he successfully proposed a priority enrolment policy for the children of alumni. Fast forward to 2019, when his son Jake officially became the very first "Double Phoenix" in UNIS Hanoi history.

During a recent campus visit, CheonSub reconnected with legendary staff members like Phi, Huong, and Pho, who helped shape his student years, and had the chance to catch up with our current Head of School, Dr Elizabeth Gale.

Watch the video and hear his reflections on legacy, belonging, and what it means to come home to UNIS Hanoi.

From UNIS Scholar to a $380,000 U.S. University Scholarship

We are proud to celebrate Tri Duc Do (Class of 2026), whose journey reflects the resilience, compassion, and determination at the heart of the Phoenix spirit.

Duc has earned Early Decision admission to Lafayette College in the United States, alongside a four-year financial aid package valued at nearly USD $380,000. A UNIS Hanoi Scholar since Grade 8, Duc balanced the demands of a rigorous academic programme while also helping care for his father following a stroke and supporting his family through significant personal challenges.

Alongside outstanding academic achievement, including perfect IB predicted scores in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, Duc has distinguished himself through his humility, kindness, and commitment to service.

Read the full, inspiring story of Duc's journey from campus scholar to a future global engineer (Translated Version and Original in Vietnamese on VnExpress)

Learn more about how giving supports our scholars

Passing the Torch: Jessica van den Brink (Class of 2014) Inspires Junior Historians

When Grade 5 students Zoe and Khoi selected Ancient Egypt as the focus of their PYP Exhibition research, they received guidance from someone uniquely qualified to help: alumna Jessica van den Brink (Class of 2014), now pursuing a PhD in Ancient Cultures at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

Connecting virtually with the students, Jessica shared insights into pyramids, hieroglyphs, and archaeological research while encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.

This cross-generational collaboration proved deeply rewarding for both sides. While the students loved learning from a knowledgeable alum who once sat in their very same classrooms, Jessica found the experience eye-opening, noting how inspiring it was to get a sneak peek into the minds of future historians.

See how alumni continue to inspire learning across our global community.

From Courtrooms to Canvas: The Unlikely Evolution of Raena Park (Class of 2011)

Career paths are rarely linear, and Raena Park’s journey is a powerful reminder that reinvention often begins with courage.

After studying law in Seoul, Raena eventually found herself drawn towards New York City’s creative world, transforming analytical training into artistic expression. Today, her work reflects a unique intersection of discipline, identity, and creativity.

Read Raena’s story and her reflections on choosing passion over predictability.

From UNIS Hanoi to Silicon Valley: How Duong (Grey) Nguyen (Class of 2015) Built a Health Tech Giant

When health tech startup Bevel secured a massive $10 million Series A funding round led by General Catalyst, it was the culmination of a vision rooted right here at UNIS Hanoi. Co-founder and CEO Duong (Grey) Nguyen (Class of 2015) credits the sheer breadth of his UNIS Hanoi education, spanning science, maths, and the arts, with giving him the interdisciplinary mindset needed to design Bevel's beautiful, AI-driven wellness platform.

Growing up in Vietnam, Duong noticed a stark gap in access to professional health coaching. Driven by a desire to democratise health intelligence globally, he turned to software to bridge that divide. For Duong, building one of the fastest-growing health apps in the United States requires exactly what the IB curriculum taught him: the ability to think critically in complex systems, work alongside AI, and confidently forge an unconventional path where no single right answer exists.

Read more about Duong’s incredible journey and how he is using technology to help people worldwide refine and realise their full health potential.

Unconventional Paths: Pablo Cortizas (Class of 2025) Returns to Inspire Future Entrepreneurs

Fresh off his first year at Tetr College of Business, where students travel to seven countries and build seven businesses across four years, Pablo Cortizas (Class of 2025) returned to campus to speak with current students about entrepreneurship, creativity, and adaptability.

Already applying his studies to scale his family’s fashion brand, Chula, and build his own start-up ventures, Pablo encouraged students to embrace unconventional paths and become fluent in the opportunities created by emerging technologies and AI.

True to the Phoenix spirit, he has also offered mentorship and guidance to aspiring student entrepreneurs within the community.

Hear Pablo’s reflections and connect with him to continue the conversation.

Accessing Elite Korean Universities

In this special video feature, Jinha Oh (Class of 2023), currently studying Biological Sciences at KAIST, and Youngwoo (Class of 2025), studying Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University, share their insights into navigating South Korea’s highly competitive university landscape.

From academic preparation and interview strategies to balancing extracurricular commitments and cultural identity, both alumni reflect on how their UNIS Hanoi experience prepared them to thrive.

Watch the video and discover their advice for future Phoenixes considering university pathways in Korea.

 The Keepers of the Phoenix Spirit

 Stay Connected

Stay in touch and get involved: UNIS Hanoi Global Network | UNIS Hanoi Facebook | UNIS Hanoi Instagram | Visit Us | Make A Gift

If you have ideas for future newsletters or suggestions on how we can better support alumni, please email alumni@unishanoi.org.

Once a Phoenix, Always a Phoenix!

Aisling O’Brien and Nhat Anh Tran
UNIS Hanoi Alumni Office