Study Abroad Alumna Breaks Barriers as First Vietnamese American Elected to Nashville Metro Council

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Terry Vo (center) with her father, Tuan Van Vo, and mother, Tra Thi Pham.

When Terry Vo first became interested in studying abroad as a student at the U of A, she had no idea it would lead her to making history.

Inspired in part to run for office through her study abroad experiences, Vo recently became the first Vietnamese American elected to the Nashville Metro Council, where she represents District 17. She ran for office to ensure that Asian Pacific Islanders' voices were heard on the council.

"Policies and laws are being made that affect the Asian and Pacific Islander communities, but oftentimes, no Asian and Pacific Islander elected officials are there to represent or highlight the community," she said. "Growing up in Arkansas, I am a child of Vietnamese immigrants. Children of immigrants have a unique perspective being raised in a culture other than their parents', which can be referred to as third culture individuals. This nuance is important to have in an elected position."

Her journey as a civic leader began as an Honors College student at the U of A, where she majored in international relations with a minor in Asian studies and Japanese business orientation. As a freshman, she learned about study abroad opportunities and "dove right in," taking a European Studies tour the summer following her freshman year. She traveled the summer of her sophomore year to Japan as part of an economics class with Walton College as well.

But it was her junior year — when she was chosen for a year-long direct exchange study abroad opportunity — that changed her life. This agreement between the U of A and Kansai Gaidai University sends two students from Arkansas to Japan and two students from Kansai Gaidai to Arkansas.

"For me, that was when my Japanese language ability accelerated and growth happened," she said. "Because I studied abroad an entire year, I had the opportunity to move to Tokyo for an internship with the U.S. Embassy afterwards. Studying Japanese under Fukushima Sensei and then immersing myself in Japan allowed my language ability to thrive. All of this helped influence my career path upon graduation. If not for studying abroad, who knows where I would be right now?"

After graduating from the U of A, she applied for and was accepted to the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program in Japan before moving to Nashville to work at the Consulate General of Japan. After three years in Tennessee, her experience abroad inspired her to travel again to Australia as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, where she earned a master's degree in governance and public policy from the University of Queensland.

When she returned to Nashville in 2015, she dipped her feet into politics, serving as director of communications for a mayoral campaign, which influenced her decision to run for office seven years later.

"Running for office seven years later wasn't just a decision — it was a moment of empowerment sparked by a simple nudge from a friend after hearing Stacey Abrams speak in 2017," she said. "Then, Aug. 3, 2023, came, and when we saw the blue check next to my name calling my race, I was overcome with joy. All of the hard work my team and I put in paid off. My close friends and family were there to celebrate with me, and I will hold onto that moment forever."

Though she may not live in Arkansas anymore, she takes pride in her upbringing in Fort Smith and her legacy as a Razorback alumnus.

"Whenever I'm talking in front of people, I always tell them I was born and raised in Arkansas," she said. "I'm proud to be an Arkansan. I went to public school with some of the most brilliant teachers who challenged me and had a great education at the U of A that led me to a career that I'm so proud of."

She also hopes to set an example for a new generation of leaders. Recently, Vo attended the Khaudo Fall Harvest in Nashville, where she gave a speech and spoke with Zomi community members. Afterwards, she spoke with a friend, who told her about a conversation she overheard.

"A friend of mine told me that after I left, a young girl went up to her dad and said, 'She looks like me,'" Vo said. "Those moments are why I wanted to run. I want to inspire other Asian and Pacific Islander community members that running for office and being elected is possible. Even though I'm the first, I do not want to be the last. I want my legacy to be one where I inspired more Asian and Pacific Islander people to be more civically engaged and that running for office is achievable. This is just the beginning."

More information on study abroad opportunities can be found on the Office of Study Abroad website.