Daily Lobo: Why did you choose biology?
Thanh-Lan Nguyen: They don't have an optometry school here, so I would have to move, and that's the only thing - the downside of it. But, I really like eyes, because I know it can capture a lot of your emotions.
DL: How do you mean?
TN: I know it's really complicated and it's connected to the brain - that's a really sensitive area. I don't know, after watching "America's Next Top Model" and seeing how the eyes can capture any mood, and that's the first thing that you look at when you talk to someone.
DL: When did you decide that you wanted to be an optometrist? How old were you?
TN: In middle school. My parents wanted me to pick a major so that I could decide on what I wanted to do in high school.
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DL: Did that help you focus better?
TN: Yeah. A lot.
DL: So, when you graduate from UNM, will you have to go for your master's?
TN: I just have to get my bachelor's of science, and then I can go for my
optometry degree.
DL: Where do you do most of your studying?
TN: Here at UNM, actually - in the architecture building in the library on the top floor.
DL: What do you like best about that library?
TN: The new environment. They have all new chairs, and you can get your own private studying room, so you just lock yourself in there and study for four hours and you can get a lot of stuff done.
DL: Are you worried about how the economy will be when you graduate?
TN: Oh, I'm really worried, you know - whether I'll find a job or not is my main concern. Whether - if things are going the way they are - if I can pay for tuition and stuff like that.
DL: Do you think that you might want to open your own office?
TN: That's what the plan was, but then I also want to do volunteer services. I want to travel and do free clinics.
DL: Optometrists without borders?
TN: Yeah.
