I am a storyteller.

For most of my life, I have used writing, photography, and food to capture moments, build connection, and understand the world around me. Now, I am incredibly grateful to share that I have been accepted into graduate school to study nutrition and dietetics—a path that brings together everything I care about: science, storytelling, and caring for others.

My goal is to become a registered dietitian who not only understands nutrition science, but who also listens deeply to the stories behind it. I want to help people build nourishing, sustainable relationships with food—ones that honor their culture, experiences, and whole selves.

This journey feels deeply personal.

As a first-generation Chinese-Vietnamese American, my story is rooted in my parents’ sacrifices. They both came here for a better life. Together, they raised four daughters with limited resources but an unwavering belief in education. They believe it would open doors they never had access to.

Because of them, I became the first in my family to pursue a Master’s degree.

Throughout my life, I have followed food from every angle. I studied food systems and storytelling in college, worked in restaurants and farmers’ markets, make afterschool snacks for for 50 children, and cook for private events and families. I have worked closely with children and families for years, learning how to listen, observe, and care for people in ways that go beyond what is said out loud.

These experiences shaped how I see nutrition: not as rules or restrictions, but as a form of connection, healing, and trust.

Graduate school is the next step in becoming the kind of dietitian I aspire to be—one who practices with compassion, cultural awareness, and whole-person care. However, the financial reality of this program is significant. Tuition, living expenses, and books are a real challenge, especially as a first-generation student navigating this path on my own.

Your support would allow me to fully commit to this opportunity—to focus on my education, grow into this role, and one day give back to communities that are often overlooked in healthcare spaces.

Every donation, no matter the size, is not just an investment in my education—it is an investment in more compassionate, inclusive, and human-centered care.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for being part of this journey. Your support means more than I can express, and I hope to one day pay it forward through the work I do and the lives I am able to impact.

With deep gratitude,

Celine