Contestant #12
Monica Pham: Audio Introduction
Hello everyone!
My name is Pham Thai Quynh Nhu, or Monica Pham. I am in my third year at UCSD, majoring in International Studies – Political Science. I was born in Walnut Creek, California, lived in San Jose until I was 8, then moved to Japan for almost 10 years. I came to San Diego in the summer of 2005 after my father was diagnosed with colon cancer, so that he could to undergo chemotherapy. His diagnosis was a devastating shock for my family, and it was extremely painful to see him weaken right before my eyes. Less than a year into his treatment, my father passed away in May of 2006. I have struggled with losing him and not always having him around since that day, but at the same time, I look back and realize that it has taught me to live life to the fullest and take nothing and no one in my life for granted. I have become so much stronger, and I now know that whatever obstacles life has for me, I will get through them with a positive outlook. With this always in mind, I have vowed to make him and my family proud by making a name for myself. After graduating in June of 2011, I plan on attending graduate school to further my International Studies major and later apply it by working internationally and helping those less fortunate.
P.S. I love going to museums and musicals, watching football, eating any kind of food, and laughing at absolutely everything….. whose down? 
