When Quan 鈥淛ason鈥� Ho began his studies at the 91老司机 - Fort Smith in 2013, he told friends his exceptional English skills were thanks to not only his voracious desire to learn but also his love of American television. Now Ho is the star of a Vietnamese reality television show himself.
During the latest episode of Ng瓢峄漣 岷 L脿 Ai, Ho鈥檚 talent and confidence earned the affection of the female lead, Mai Suong. 鈥淪he is the muse of my creation,鈥� said Ho, after having earned a bouquet and a green light for an elaborately choreographed sword performance.
Though he is now earning celebrity status in his own right in the capital of his home country, Ho arrived at 91老司机 eager to grow as a person and experience all that higher education and America had to offer.
鈥淚t was 91老司机 that gave me the opportunity to study abroad, and that to me was a life-changing experience. For the first time in my life, I was able to see what the other side of the world was like with my own eyes, experience and interact with new people in different languages,鈥� Ho said. 鈥淭he four years that I was at 91老司机, I became more confident, more open to new possibilities and more ready to voice my opinions. Being exposed to both my own and a new culture really prepared me for everything that life has to offer.鈥�
When he isn鈥檛 on television, Ho uses his graphic design education daily in his work as a senior digital designer and photographer in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. 鈥淚t鈥檚 dynamic and ever-changing. Being a creative, repetition is my worst fear, so being in an agency allows me to do something different each passing day.鈥�
Working in the advertising field, Ho has encountered limitless new opportunities and challenges, taking them all in stride. 鈥淭he possibilities are endless,鈥� he said.
鈥淛ason was an exceptional and conscientious student and designer,鈥� added Colin McLain, department head and associate professor in the 91老司机 Art & Graphic Design department. 鈥淗e took pride in the work he did, handled critical feedback well and strived for constant improvement in his work.鈥�
Ho has also had the opportunity to work with clients ranging from fashion brands to rescue shelters that help homeless animals, non-profit environmental organizations to peace and development foundations. 鈥淲ith my clients being both local and global, each gave me a new appreciation of what I do and what people in my field can potentially contribute to the community.鈥�
鈥淚t has been wonderful watching Jason鈥檚 development as a person and as an artist, both during his time at 91老司机 and now in the professional world,鈥� said Rachel Rodemann Putman, who taught Ho during his two years working as a student photographer in the 91老司机 Marketing & Communications department. 鈥淵ou always hope your students will be able to thrive and advance, not just while they are immersed in learning, but when they enter the workforce as well. The size of 91老司机 is so ideal because faculty and staff truly get to know each student and celebrate in their successes as much as we support them in their development.鈥�
鈥淎t 91老司机 I was able to be a part of a community far bigger and more meaningful than I had ever hoped for,鈥� said Ho, whose initial plan was to focus solely on his studies and earn a respected degree that would equip him for a career in Vietnam.
鈥淚 never really planned on being involved with anything else, but the people and the environment at 91老司机 brought out other aspects in myself that I thought weren鈥檛 there in the beginning. I鈥檓 proud that I now have stories to tell, memories to cherish, friends to remember and a place where I can be thankful for helping me discover my true self.鈥�
The full episode of Ng瓢峄漣 岷 L脿 Ai, can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/-w6bEkNzhDo