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Above: Andy An Hoang and his sources of inspiration. ABOUT THANH TAM ORPHANAGE
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HITCHIKING THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE OF VIETNAM with a bus full of nuns, Andy An Hoang found his purpose at an orphanage in Saigon. Although at first this trip was meant to be a return to his roots and a redefining of himself, the desire to continue helping these children after his journey resulted in the creation of Life Beyond Circumstances International. “Life Beyond Circumstances International (LBCi) sustains a preventative, community-based approach to global health development…[that] works to develop and implement nutritional, social/emotional, and physical therapy programs structured to optimize infant and child development.” Hoang’s life has been filled with circumstances as well. Nevertheless, he has managed to move beyond them and learn from them, humbly taking something from each experience. “While we are fine right now, it’s shocking to me at least to look back and realize what the family has gone through just to be where we are.” Hoang says. I’ve always admired my family for their tenacity and personal strength.” Previously to his work with LBCi, Hoang was involved in Habitat for Humanity as the advocacy chair and also coordinated the 2007 Hunger Clean-Up for the California Private Interest Research Group. This work, however, did not have as great of an impact on Hoang as his current project and, for him, lacked focus that he felt was required to truly make a difference. In contrast, the work done at the orphanage created, from the very beginning, a connection for Hoang. “I knew the first moment I saw the children. I just didn’t know how I was going to help them. There was so much to do, but I didn’t have the resources or expertise to do anything about it.” Though at first apprehensive but optimistic about starting this project, Hoang was up for the challenge. With the help of professors and professionals from Orange County, his lack of practical experience proved to be a circumstance that offered a great learning opportunity. Now as president of a non-profit organization, Hoang has also learned many leadership skills that would not have been feasible otherwise. “I’ve learned that leadership requires a balance of humility and assertiveness. You also need to realize your own personal limitations as an individual. There’s only so much you can do. You must delegate, but still lead by example.” As for his family, “They were definitely skeptical about what I could do,” Hoang says. “I was, however, able to persuade them to agree that a little risk now and then is needed.” Double majoring in Neurobiology and Comparative Literature, Hoang has also taken risks in his academic career by keeping himself busy as a Campuswide Honor Student, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute undergraduate researcher in the O’Dowd-Smith Lab, and as an intern for the International Center for Writing and Translation, just to name a few of his accomplishments. “Its actually not that bad. If you’re adamant about what you want to do, there’s nothing that [can] get in your way,’ says Hoang. “It often becomes a bit difficult to juggle between work and schoolwork, but if you understand yourself enough and your behaviors and habits, things will work out for the best!” Now a senior, his plans for the future include an MD/PhD in Medical Anthropology. “I never want to leave the university! I want to be an academic professor and be part of academic discourse, but I can’t give up my dream of practicing medicine.” As for the future of Life Beyond Circumstances, Hoang intends to continue with the project even after graduation, providing help to even more nations like India and Thailand. “If everything works out, the program will be turning international in a few years.”
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