Kathleen Le’s parents came to America from Vietnam. They wanted her to have opportunities that weren’t possible for them. They wanted her to be a doctor.

“But I realized I couldn’t do the blood and guts,” says Le ‘16, who is headed to the University of New England to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy, a career field that she thinks will meet another of her parents’ hopes for her: financial security.

“Physical therapy is a good combination of my interest in helping people and theirs in me earning a decent living,” Le says. What’s more, it builds on her undergraduate degree in nutrition and wellness. “I would love to combine the two degrees. Good nutrition is so important when it comes to healing.”

A summer spent studying in Italy remains one of the highlights of her college experience. “I learned so much about myself and got so much more out of it than I expected,” she says.

To incoming freshmen, Le says “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and take care of yourself. If you think you may need a little bit more help then ask for it.”