Focus: Explore your parent’s birthplace, childhood, family tree, and ancestral roots.
Questions
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Can you describe your first day at school and how you felt about beginning your student life?
How did your family prepare you for your first day at school?
Were there any particular friends or teachers that made you feel comfortable?
How did your feelings about school change after that first day?
EARLY SCHOOL DAYS
What are some of your most vivid memories from your early school days?
Can you describe a specific event or moment that stands out from those days?
How did these experiences shape your attitude towards learning and education?
Were there any lessons or skills you learned during this time that you still use today?
PARENTS
How did your parents view education, and what expectations did they have for your academic performance?
In what ways did your parents express the importance of education to you?
How did their expectations influence your study habits and academic choices?
Can you share a time when you particularly felt proud or challenged by their expectations?
TEACHERS
Were there any teachers who had a significant impact on you? Can you share a story about how they influenced your life?
What was it about their teaching style or personality that impacted you?
Can you recall a specific piece of advice or encouragement they gave you?
How do you think this teacher’s influence has shaped your life beyond the classroom?
SUBJECTS
What subjects were you most passionate about and why?
How did you discover your passion for these subjects?
Were there any projects or assignments in these subjects that you particularly enjoyed?
How have these interests influenced your career path or hobbies?
CHALLENGING ACADEMIC PERIOD
Can you recall a particularly challenging academic period and how you overcame the difficulties?
What strategies or resources did you use to manage this challenging period?
Who supported you during this time, and how did they help?
What did you learn about yourself through overcoming these academic challenges?
EDUCATION SYSTEM
How did the education system during your time differ from today’s system, and what changes seem most significant to you?
Can you describe a typical school day from your time compared to what you observe today?
What are your thoughts on advancements in education?
How do you think these changes have impacted students’ learning experiences and opportunities?
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Were there any extracurricular activities or school clubs that you were involved in? What skills or experiences did you gain from them?
How did you choose which activities or clubs to join?
Can you share a memorable event or achievement from your participation in these activities?
How have the skills or experiences from these activities benefitted you in other areas of your life?
LIFE PATH
How did your educational experiences shape your values, career choices, or life path?
Can you identify a turning point in your education that influenced your future direction?
How did your educational experiences align with or differ from your initial career aspirations?
What role did your teachers, counsellors, or peers play in shaping your decisions about your career or life path?
SCHOOL PROJECT
Can you describe a memorable school project or assignment that you were particularly proud of?
What made this project or assignment stand out to you?
How did you approach the challenges involved in this project or assignment?
What feedback or outcomes did you receive, and how did they impact you?
FAMILY SUPPORT
How did your family contribute to or support your academic endeavours?
Can you share a specific way in which your family supported your education?
How did their support or involvement make a difference in your academic achievements?
Were there any family traditions or practices related to celebrating academic successes?
SCHOOL TRADITIONS AND EVENTS
Were there any school traditions or cultural events that you particularly enjoyed or learned from?
Can you describe one of these traditions or events and what it entailed?
How did participating in these events enrich your understanding of your culture or community?
Were there any lessons or insights you gained from these experiences?
BALANCE
How did you balance your academic responsibilities with other aspects of your life, such as family, hobbies, or work?
What challenges did you face in maintaining this balance?
Can you share a strategy or habit that helped you manage your time effectively?
How has the ability to balance various aspects of life benefited you in the long run?
ASPIRATIONS
What were your aspirations during your school years, and how did your education influence those aspirations?
How did your aspirations evolve throughout your educational journey?
Were there any mentors, experiences, or resources that helped shape your aspirations?
How did you pursue these aspirations during and after your school years?
A LESSON OUTSIDE CLASS
Can you share a story about a time when you learned a significant lesson outside of the classroom?
What was the situation, and what prompted this learning experience?
How did this lesson compare to or complement your formal education?
How have you applied this lesson in other areas of your life?
FURTHER EDUCATION
How did you approach making decisions about further education, such as college or vocational training?
What factors did you consider when making these decisions?
Were there any obstacles or challenges you faced during this decision-making process?
How do you feel about the choices you made, looking back now?
LITERATURE
Were there any books or pieces of literature you read during your school years that deeply affected you?
What was it about these books or pieces of literature that resonated with you?
How did these readings influence your thoughts, beliefs, or actions?
Have you revisited any of these books or authors since your school years?
RELATIONSHIPS
How did peer relationships and friendships during your school years influence your personal and academic growth?
Can you describe a friendship that had a significant impact on you during your school years?
How did your peers influence your attitudes towards learning or personal development?
Were there any group projects or collaborative experiences that taught you valuable lessons?
SCHOOL TRIP
Can you describe a school trip or event that left a lasting impression on you?
What was unique or memorable about this trip or event?
How did this experience contribute to your understanding of the subject or your personal growth?
Were there any specific moments or interactions during this trip that you still remember vividly?
ADVICE
What advice or guidance did you receive about education from your parents or other family members?
How did this advice influence your approach to education and learning?
Can you share a time when this advice particularly helped or guided you?
How do you view or value this advice now, based on your own experiences and insights?
VIEWS ON LEARNING
How did your educational experiences during your formative years shape your views on learning and knowledge?
What were some of the key takeaways or realisations you had about learning during these years?
How did your experiences in school contribute to your lifelong learning habits or interests?
Were there any particular moments or experiences that challenged or changed your views on education?
CHALLENGES
Were there any particular challenges or barriers you faced in your education, and how did you address them?
Can you describe a challenge or barrier and the impact it had on your academic journey?
What strategies or support systems did you utilise to overcome these challenges?
How did these experiences influence your resilience or approach to future challenges?
PREPARING FOR ADULT LIFE
How did your experiences in school prepare you for the challenges of adult life and your career?
What skills or lessons from school have been most beneficial in your adult life or career?
Were there any experiences or opportunities in school that directly contributed to your professional development?
How do you apply the knowledge or skills gained in school to real-world situations or challenges?
TEACHING
Can you share an experience where you had to teach or mentor someone else, perhaps a younger student or a peer?
What motivated you to take on this teaching or mentoring role?
How did this experience affect your understanding of the subject or your communication skills?
What did you learn from the experience of teaching or mentoring someone else?
TECHNOLOGY
What role did technology play in your education, and how do you see it influencing current and future education?
How did you first encounter or use technology in your educational journey?
What benefits or challenges have you observed with the integration of technology in education?
How do you envision technology shaping the educational experiences of future generations?
COMPETITION
How did you deal with academic competition, and what did you learn from those experiences?
Can you describe a time when you felt particularly challenged by academic competition?
How did you manage the pressure or stress associated with competitive academic environments?
What insights or strategies did you gain from these experiences that you still find useful?
ADVICE
Were there any educators or mentors who gave you advice that you still remember or live by today?
Describe this person and your relationship with them as a student.
Can you recall a specific piece of advice and the context in which it was given?
Have you had the opportunity to pass this advice on to others, and if so, how was it received?
HERITAGE
How did your cultural background or family heritage influence your educational journey and choices?
Were there any cultural values or expectations that particularly affected your approach to education?
How did your family’s heritage contribute to your understanding or appreciation of certain subjects or fields?
Were there any cultural or family traditions related to learning or education that you found meaningful?
OUTLOOK
Can you recall a moment or experience in your education that significantly changed your outlook or approach to life?
What was the situation or realisation that led to this change in outlook?
How did this moment influence your subsequent choices or actions?
Looking back, how do you view the significance or impact of this experience?
SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
What were your favourite and least favourite aspects of your school experience, and why?
Can you elaborate on what made these aspects particularly enjoyable or challenging for you?
How did you make the most of your favourite aspects or cope with the less favourable ones?
Have your views on these aspects changed over time, and if so, how?
SUCCESS AND FAILURE
How did you handle successes and failures in your academic life?
Can you share an example of a significant success or failure and your reaction to it?
What strategies or mindsets helped you cope with or learn from these experiences?
How have these experiences shaped your approach to success and failure in other areas of life?
CELEBRATION
What was your most memorable school celebration or social event, and what made it special?
Can you describe the event and what you enjoyed most about it?
Were there any particular traditions or activities associated with this event?
How did this event contribute to your sense of community or belonging in school?
VIETNAMESE HERITAGE
How did your education influence your understanding of your Vietnamese heritage?
Were there any specific subjects, projects, or teachers that deepened your connection to your heritage?
How did your educational experiences help you appreciate cultural identities?
In what ways do you think education can or should honour and integrate cultural heritage?
EXPECTATIONS
Were there any particular societal or cultural expectations regarding education that you had to navigate?
How did these expectations align with or differ from your personal goals or values?
What challenges or pressures did you face as a result of these expectations?
How did you manage or respond to these societal or cultural influences?
FIELD OF STUDY
How did you decide on your field of study or specialisation, and what factors influenced that decision?
What interests or experiences led you to choose this field of study?
Were there any individuals or resources that particularly guided or inspired your decision?
How do you feel about this choice now, looking back on your education and career path?
SOMETHING NEW
Can you describe a time when you had to learn something completely new or outside of your comfort zone?
What motivated or necessitated this learning experience?
How did you approach the challenges of learning something unfamiliar?
What did you gain or learn from stepping outside of your comfort zone in this way?
LIBRARIES
What role did libraries, books, or other learning resources play in your education?
Can you recall a library, book, or resource that was particularly influential or helpful?
How did these resources contribute to your learning experiences or academic success?
What is your perspective on the importance or role of these resources in education today?
LIFELONG LEARNING
How did your educational experiences influence your views on lifelong learning and self-improvement?
Can you share a habit or practise you developed during your education that supports lifelong learning?
How has your approach to learning and self-improvement evolved since your school years?
What advice would you give to others about the importance of continuous learning and growth?
REFORMS
Were there any significant changes or reforms in the education system that affected your academic journey?
How did you adapt to or navigate these changes or reforms?
What impact did these changes have on your educational experience or opportunities?
What are your thoughts on the effectiveness or implications of these changes in the education system?
TAKEAWAY
Looking back, what would you say is the most important lesson or takeaway from your years in the educational system?
How has this lesson or takeaway influenced your life or perspective beyond school?
In what ways do you try to apply or share this lesson with others, such as family, friends, or colleagues?
How do you hope the educational system will evolve to impart this or similar lessons to future generations?