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The has named ����Թ� international student Thu “Tori” Dang as a recipient of their 2025 scholarship.

The Global Scholars Program supports international students from economically challenged communities who study in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom — some of the world’s leading destinations for international students. Recipients of the scholarship are awarded $10,000 to help them complete their degrees.

“One of the highlights of my job annually is to nominate a few of our top international students for scholarships,” Director of International Programs Cris Toffolo, Ph.D. said. “This is because NEIU attracts some extremely talented students from around the world who succeed at their university studies despite facing extremely tough odds and crises back home. Through the nomination process I come to learn their stories and I am constantly amazed at how they persevere.”

Dang, an undergraduate student majoring in Cybersecurity, came to Northeastern from Vietnam.

“I’m deeply grateful to have been awarded the Western Union Scholarship, which will support me as I continue my journey at ����Թ�,” Dang said. “I’m passionate about cybersecurity and hope to use my education to make an impact in protecting the digital world.  I’m deeply thankful to the Office of International Student Programs, my professors and my friends for their encouragement.”

Dang noted that, as an international student, her journey has had its ups and downs. The financial burden of obtaining her education is real, but earning this scholarship has eased those concerns.  

“Coming from Vietnam, studying abroad has been both a dream and a challenge,” Dang said. “The journey is filled with moments of growth, resilience, and unexpected learning. I was both excited and nervous. Everything was new, from the culture to the way classes were taught. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace change, stay curious and push through moments of self-doubt.”

Dr. Toffolo noted that she was impressed with Dang for a number of reasons. Dang is a first-generation college student, has been on the Dean’s List, is President of the ����Թ� chapter of and serves as a Computer Science Peer Leader. Additionally, Dang has previously been a Student Ambassador of the Office of International Programs.

“I love her energy, commitment and enthusiasm,” Dr. Toffolo said. “She is an exceptional young person and the fifth NEIU student in the last five years to be awarded a Western Union Foundation scholarship to help her finish her studies when her other funding source unexpectedly disappeared.”  

Dr. Toffolo noted that some international students face extraordinary hardships because of natural disasters in their home countries, wars — which can wipe out their family's business/source of income — or unexpected death or illness of their sponsor.  

“In such cases it isn't just the money that is lost that disrupts their studies, it is also the stress and sadness of being thousands of miles away when their families are facing such tragedies and hardship,” Dr. Toffolo said.

“Despite an unexpected event in her family that impacted her finances, Tori has persevered,” Dr. Toffolo said. “As the first member of her family to go to college, Tori's graduation will mark a significant turning point for her whole family.”

More than 500 students from 100 counties have received Western Union Foundation scholarships since 2017. The Western Union Foundation works with the (IIE) to accept nominations, select awardees and distribute the scholarships. Interested students must be in good academic standing, have high ambitions and a demonstrated commitment to their chosen field of study. A representative from their higher education institution serves as a nominator for interested applicants.

Previous recipients of the award from Northeastern include (B.S. ’22 Accounting) — who won the Global Scholars Program award in 2021, then received the Western Union CEO Scholarship in 2022, the highest award offered by the Western Union Foundation — Patrick Poinar (B.S. ’23 Computer Science), Velma Elba (B.S. ’24 Biology) and Gladie Ngiama (B.S. ’24 Computer Science).

“To any student who feels unsure if their dreams are possible, please know that they are, and that every small step forward counts,” Dang said. “I hope my story encourages other students to keep believing in themselves and their dreams.”