Hailing from Vietnam, Sister Mary Christopher Mai Thi Do, simply known as Mai Do, is a nun and a first-year student majoring in Religious Studies. Do received a full-ride scholarship and chose Loyola for its academic opportunities, campus environment, and to learn how the Jesuits share the Church’s values with the new generation.
“To me, it is a great university to study at because it offers high-quality education, supportive professors, and a strong sense of community. The classes are engaging, and students have many opportunities to participate in research, internships, and extracurricular activities,” Do said.
As an international student, Do was grateful for Loyola’s welcoming and inviting atmosphere. It made adjusting to life in America less worrisome and stressful.
Arriving in January this year, Do had to adjust to a new culture and lifestyle that is starkly different from hers.
“In the beginning, it took me about two weeks to get used to the time difference, learning to sleep at night and stay awake during the day, since there’s a 13-hour difference from Vietnam. I also had to get used to eating some typical American foods,” Do said.
However, the language barrier was the biggest challenge for Do. Since Vietnamese is her first language, she studied English in Vietnam for four years. When arriving in America, Do was met with the fast-paced English-speaking lifestyle that she couldn’t keep up with.
“It felt like I couldn’t hear anything—they were speaking so fast that I barely understood a word. I was even too shy to speak because I was afraid of making mistakes. At first, I really lacked confidence in my English abilities. But after a few weeks, I gradually caught up with the pace of life here,” Do said.
The biggest culture shock for Do was the difference between American and Vietnamese communication. While Americans value independence and personal choice, Vietnamese people value family, community, and respect for elders. Indirect communication is the social norm and is used to maintain harmony and to avoid conflict.
Do was raised in a devout Catholic family in northern Vietnam. From a young age, her grandmother would take her to church every day and share stories about the saints. These stories remained with Do, as her grandparents taught her Catholic values and how to be a good Christian.
“I can’t really explain why I want to become a nun—it’s something of a mystery to me. I think that one of the reasons comes from my mother’s virtuous life. She is hardworking, kind, and deeply faithful, even though our family has faced many challenges. Watching her selflessly sacrifice for her children and patiently endure hardships for the sake of others showed me what it truly means to live a life of love and service,” Do said.
After graduating high school, Do felt a stronger inner calling and became curious about the life of nuns. She admired their habits, their joy, and how they never show anger or hatred to others.
Do appreciates the inquiries and curiosity she receives for being a nun and international student.
“People often see me as someone who is dedicated, disciplined, and open to learning. Many
are curious about why I decided to become a nun at such a young age. Some even wonder
how I manage to live in a community where I had to give up so much—like not using a cell
phone, limiting my time online, not focusing on money, and living for others,” Do said.
Do hopes to continue to grow spiritually and academically. She plans to use her degree to better serve others and to develop knowledge and skills to live a more meaningful and dedicated life.
Do is grateful for everything Loyola has provided for her. She shared a final message with her cohort.
“Thank you for studying and working hard and striving to become valuable contributors to
society. I hope that both I and all of you can truly embrace the spiritual values of St. Ignatius and
the Jesuits, so that through what we learn at this university, we can grow into good people and
faithful Christians,” Do said.
