From A Street Vendor To An Accountancy Graduate: The Inspiring Journey Of A Chatsworth Alum

“A question that struck me was whether I wanted to go back to school. My immediate answer was yes—I wanted to.”

At just 12 years old, Can, the youngest of four siblings, faced a heart-wrenching decision when his family’s financial struggles forced him to leave school. To add, both his parents were in poor health. Understanding the weight of responsibility, Can left his humble province in Vietnam and journeyed to the bustling city, selling chewing gum to tourists. Day after day, he worked tirelessly with a single goal: to support his family. But one fateful encounter with a kind foreigner changed his life.

We had the chance to chat with Chatsworth alum Can Van Nguyen, who shared how he ended up attending Chatsworth International School in Singapore, and how it ended up opening a world of possibilities. His journey was made possible with the help of various parties including his teachers, fellow students and The Chatsworth Parent Group who helped raise funds for his living expenses in Singapore.

Could you share some background about your family situation and how you caught the attention of Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation?
I was born in Hue province, located in central Vietnam. I dropped out of school after finishing primary education because my parents were in poor health and unable to work to support our family of six. I decided to help my family by following a person who took me and a few other children around my age to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) to work. I was 12 years old at the time.

My job was to sell chewing gum and flowers to tourists in HCMC daily, from 5pm to 12am. I remember being paid 2,000,000 VND per year (~ 105 SGD). About seven months after arriving in HCMC, I met a foreigner and his Vietnamese translator while I was on the street. I had seen them around before, but never got the chance to talk to them until they purchased chewing gum from me that day. The foreigner was Mr. Michael Brosowski, the founder of Blue Dragon’s Children’s Foundation, and the translator, Mr. Van, was a lawyer for the foundation.

They explained their organisation’s aim to rescue children like me who worked on the streets. They asked about my job, my family, and my dreams. A question that struck me was whether I wanted to go back to school. My immediate answer was yes—I wanted to.

One month later, they took me home to Hue. After discussing with my family how Blue Dragon could support me and my secondary education, I packed my bags for Hanoi. With the help of Blue Dragon’s team, I began secondary school in Grade 6 and studied in Hanoi for three years. Later, Blue Dragon helped secure a full scholarship for me from Chatsworth International School in Singapore for my high school education (from Years 10 – 13).

What was it like adjusting to life at Chatsworth and Singapore?
I first arrived in Singapore in August 2009 with Michael and Vi, a social worker from Blue Dragon, to fundraise for the foundation. During that trip, I also visited Chatsworth. The school year at Chatsworth started around the middle of August, and I was very excited about the opportunity to move and live overseas. I stayed at a homestay with a Singaporean in Holland Village, which was arranged by Chatsworth.

Everything was new to me, and I had to learn the local language, which was mainly English, and adapt to the culture, lifestyle, and society. I really loved my time at Chatsworth. I made many new friends from all over the world and had the opportunity to learn about their cultures, including those from Singapore, China, India, Australia, Canada, Thailand, the UK, and the US.

What are some of your favourite memories of Chatsworth?
One of my favourite memories was attending English classes, where I learned the language and got to communicate with friends from different nationalities.

Another great memory was Chatsworth’s annual sports day. As a sporty person, I was very excited to participate in the activities. The lively atmosphere and the sense of community, with teachers and friends coming together at the stadium, made the whole experience unforgettable.

How has an education at Chatsworth impacted your life?
Chatsworth provided me with a great opportunity and an excellent education, allowing me to develop essential skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving. My time at Chatsworth also helped me build confidence and learn to respect the opinions of others, which are all valuable skills that I can bring with me both in my work and personal life.

What have you been up to since you graduated from Chatsworth? What are your career aspirations?
After graduating from high school at Chatsworth, I was fortunate to receive another scholarship to study at NTEC College in New Zealand. I studied Business Management and Business Accounting and graduated after three years.

I worked as an accountant in a corporate company in HCMC for two years before moving back to Hue, where I transitioned to a career as a restaurant manager in the hospitality industry until January 2024. I am now living in Melbourne and taking a Hospitality Management course here, and my goal is to set up my own business one day. Having lived in different places during my younger years has made me a stronger and more independent person with increased international mobility.

At Chatsworth, potential knows no bounds

Chatsworth is a proud supporter of Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation and has been supporting the organisation since its inception. The school continues to raise funds annually and has guest speakers from the organisation attend annual assemblies. In academic year 2024-25, Chatsworth International School will celebrate 30 years of providing a nurturing, community-driven environment complemented by quality education. It prides itself in successfully nurturing students while fostering strong bonds between students, teachers, and parents.

Just like Can Van Nguyen, your child’s determination and ambition are celebrated at Chatsworth. The school’s dedicated teachers ensure that students receive what they need to achieve their fullest potential, making sure they feel supported every step of the way.

Chatsworth International School, 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289760, [email protected], Tel: (+65) 6463 3201, www.chatsworth.com.sg