Tram Le

Xin chào and Hello World! My name is Tram Le, and I am an international sophomore at Furman University studying Mathematics-Economics, originally from Da Nang, Vietnam. And this summer, I am doing something that I genuinely could not have made up, which is spending three weeks at Disney World, not just as a guest, but as a student applying mathematics, data, and economics to one of the most magical places on earth. Just thinking about it makes me excited. Honestly, it still does not feel real.

I grew up navigating between two languages and two worlds, and that taught me early that the way you communicate something matters just as much as the thing itself. Now I channel that into data, turning dry numbers into vivid, meaningful stories that actually move people. And what better place to do that than Disney World, a place that has been turning imagination into unforgettable stories for decades? With every experience and skill I build, my goal is to create impact that is both practical and purposeful. To me, work only truly matters when it carries meaning, and I want to be the person who creates that meaning.

Let me rewind a little. I grew up in Vietnam watching Disney movies, especially the princess stories. I always dreamed of being Belle, not just because she loved books, but because of her intelligence and quiet confidence that never asked for anyone's permission. I packed all of those dreams into a suitcase and flew to the United States. I have always wanted to visit Disney World one day, and now I finally get to check that box!

Everything I once imagined through a TV screen, YouTube videos, and blurry photos of the park is about to become real. And somewhere between the wonder of it all, I will be studying queuing theory, regression modeling, and operations research, etc., because at Disney World, every line you wait in, every ride you board, and every meal you order is quietly the result of someone solving a very complex optimization problem. I want to be the person who can see that. Being part of this program will push me out of my comfort zone and expose me to mathematical frameworks I have only scratched the surface of in class. Oh, and I have also ridden plenty of thrill rides at amusement parks back home, so the roller coasters are absolutely on the list. For science, of course.

What makes me most excited, though, is not just the math or the rides, but the people. I look forward to connecting with peers who are just as curious as I am, and learning alongside Dr. Harris, Dr. Bouzarth, and Dr. Hutson, whose support will make this three-week adventure both meaningful and unforgettable. Belle found her people in an unlikely place too, I think I will find mine at Disney World. Want to know more, keep following my three-week journey blog!!!