Hello, my name is
Thao Nguyen.
Born and raised in New Orleans, I’m a Vietnamese-American who loves durian.
I’m a writer at heart and an avid scuba diver by ancestral calling. Living in four different countries: U.S., Singapore, Indonesia, and Viet Nam has given me a world view on how to create a more colorful and fulfilling life. Most of my travels were academically funded during my college career at the University of Wyoming. 22 countries later, there’s no plan of stopping. I left my six-figure corporate job in 2022 and pivoted towards full-time writing about travel, scuba diving, marine conservation, and my entrepreneurial journey. Welcome to ThaoTalks and I hope you enjoy the show!
FAQs
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Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisana, USA.
Bouncing between Wyoming and Texas for the last 13 years.
For the people who are trying to ask about ethnicity or race, I am a daughter of Vietnamese emigrants. -
22
Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba England, Canary Islands, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macao, Mexico, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Vietnam, & Wales
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Native English speaker
Bahasa Indonesian (intermediate conversationalist) from UKSW in Salatiga, Indonesia
Vietnamese (conversant)
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Stories about 22 countries I’ve traveled
My love for scuba diving
Marine Conservation policies and progress
Personal development in this wild and precious journey that is my life
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University of Wyoming for both:
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science
Master’s of Arts in:
(1) Political Science
(2) Environment & Natural Resources
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SCUBA DIVING
Scuba Schools International (SSI): Specialty Diver– Stress & Rescue, Specialty Course – Science of Diving, React Right – First Aid, CPR, AED, Over 70+ Dives
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI): Open Water Certification – Advanced Open Water Certification
SAFETY
OSHA 30-hour training for the construction industry
HAZWOPER 40
First aid, CPR, and AED Trainer - National Safety Council
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International Marine Conservation Conference 5, Sarawak, Malaysia – “Local perception of conservation in Karimunjawa National Park, Central Java, Indonesia”
Fulbright Regional Enrichment Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Innovative and Resilient ASEAN Communities
American Indonesian Exchange Foundation, Surabaya, Indonesia – “National tourism policy and local perception in Wakatobi National Park, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia”
Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia – “Environmental change in the U.S. and Indonesia”
Universitas Brawijiya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia – “Identity politics in the United States”
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Conservation, Wangi-Wangi, Indonesia – “Conservation and tourism careers”
University of Wyoming Board of Trustee Haub School, Laramie, Wyoming – “International education and collaboration”
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U.S. State Department Fulbright Student Researcher
U.S. State Department Critical Language Enhancement Award
Center for Global Studies Excellence Research/ Fieldwork Grant
UWYO Graduate Assistantship