An Albino Student’s Journey to Becoming a Teacher
At 22, Pham Minh Tri has graduated with distinction in Mathematics Education from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. For Tri, the degree is the result of four years of dedicated study and also marks a milestone in his journey to overcome visual challenges and prove his abilities through his own determination.
From Challenging Math Problems to the University Lecture Hall
Born in 2004, Tri was a student of mathematics at Tran Hung Dao High School for the Gifted in Phu Thuy Ward. He started dedicating more time to mathematics in the eighth grade and aimed to participate in mathematics competitions for gifted students. Throughout high school, he remained an active member of both the school and provincial mathematics teams.
Tri's enthusiasm for mathematics flourished through challenging problems. Although some issues took him a considerable amount of time to resolve, he relished the process of reasoning, experimenting with various methods, and ultimately arriving at the solution. Motivated by this passion, Tri decided to pursue a degree in Mathematics Education. He aspires to one day stand in front of a classroom, share his knowledge and the lessons learned from his own educational journey, and inspire his students.
In order to keep pace with his studies, Tri established a routine of self-study early on. During class, he concentrated on listening to lectures, taking notes, and completing both individual and group assignments. Outside of class, he proactively sought out online mathematical resources to expand his knowledge and gain extra practice.
As someone with albinism, Tri encountered unique challenges in his studies. His visual impairment meant that he couldn’t always see everything displayed on the board. “At times, I struggled to see the material clearly, so I would need to rely on my classmates for assistance or look for study materials on my own afterward. Eventually, self-study became a crucial aspect of my education,” Tri explained.
Not Letting Differences Hold Him Back
Tri’s four years at university were a journey filled with intensive studying, challenging math problems, and significant pressure. He devoted a considerable amount of time to reading materials, finishing assignments, and fulfilling the requirements of his courses. Reflecting on his experience, Tri believes that what truly matters is not the advantages one starts with, but rather the ability to adapt and continue progressing.
Tri's albinism made his appearance and vision distinct from many others, and he does not want these differences to be the basis for others to assess his capabilities. “I don’t want people to solely focus on my physical differences and judge me because of them. That’s why I strive to work harder to achieve excellent results and allow others to recognize my abilities and accomplishments,” Tri stated.
His distinction-level degree therefore holds special significance for the young man. It is the result of years of serious study, but it is also Tri’s way of proving that a physical limitation does not necessarily determine a person’s limits.
After graduation, Tri hopes to find a job related to his field, continue working with mathematics and have the opportunity to teach. Drawing on his own experiences, the 22-year-old hopes his story can give confidence to students who may feel self-conscious about their circumstances. “Everyone has their own way of shining,” Tri said.