Exploring Takeshita Street in Harajuku, the Nguyen family embraced the playful and exciting energy of Tokyo’s culture.
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Twelve years ago, Bao Nguyen joined the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering as an IT specialist. Since then, he’s helped build systems, solve technical puzzles, and navigate uncharted territory, including laying the foundation for the department’s Azure infrastructure during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, making remote work possible for ECE.
But behind the technical achievements and dependable support, there’s something else that has defined Nguyen’s time in ECE: the ability to show up fully for his family.
“We only get so much time with our kids,” said Nguyen. “So, while they’re still young, we make it a priority to travel together, every summer!”
ECE Takes You There
This story is part of the "ECE Takes You There" summer series highlighting student, faculty, and alumni summer adventures! From exciting internships to international travel, discover how the ECE community is exploring, learning, and growing.
Each year, Nguyen and his wife plan an international trip with their two children, now ages 12 and 9, to create shared memories while their kids are still young.
This year’s destination? Japan. A dream location for his daughter, who’s obsessed with anime and East Asian pop music , and an exciting cultural deep dive for the entire family of four.
For 12 days, the Nguyen family explored six cities, from the bustling, neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the quiet, shrine-lined paths of Kyoto.
“What I loved most about Japan was how seamlessly the old and new coexist,” said Nguyen. “One moment we were walking through the quiet, lantern-lit streets of Kyoto, surrounded by centuries-old temples and the scent of incense,and the next, we were in the heart of Tokyo, where lights, high-speed trains, and futuristic tech define the skyline.”
Cooking up memories in Kobe, the Nguyen family enjoyed a hands-on culinary experience learning about Japan’s legendary wagyu beef.
The family snapped a photo in front of the iconic Glico running man sign in Osaka’s Dotonbori district.
They wandered through the electric streets of Nipponbashi, Nguyen and his children soaked in the unique fusion of old traditions and modern pop culture.
They watched the city of Shibuya from above at the Sky Observatory, posed with Godzilla in Shinjuku, and wandered through TeamLab Borderless, an immersive art experience unlike anything they'd seen before. They strolled down Tokyo’s Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) for street food and fed deer in Nara’s famous park.
They even took a moment to don traditional kimonos and take photos together, blending into the historic beauty of their surroundings.
They visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, surrounded by vibrant orange torii gates.
Nguyen repping his GT baseball cap while, exploring Takeshita Street in Harajuku.
With a historic Japanese castle behind them, the Nguyen family celebrated the joy of shared experiences and the beauty of cultural immersion.
From bamboo forests to food stalls, each stop on the journey brought the Bao family closer through laughter, discovery, and quality time.
A Culture of Support
Nguyen is quick to point out that this kind of time away doesn’t just happen,it’s made possible by the people and culture of ECE.
“I’ve worked in places before where asking for two weeks off felt like too much,” said Nguyen. “But not here. At ECE, I’ve always felt supported, not just as an employee, but as a person.”
Whether it’s solving IT issues on campus or helping troubleshoot in the middle of a conference, Nguyen shows up for his team. And in return, he says, the department makes space for him to show up for his family.
“That flexibility and trust means everything,” Nguyen added. “Because when I’m away, I can really be away. I can focus on being a dad, a husband, and just present. And when I come back, I’m recharged and ready.”
In Nara, they fed deer, wore yukatas, played arcade games, and enjoyed street food, embracing the full spectrum of Japan’s charm.
In front of a 62-kilogram bluefin tuna display, Nguyen marveled at the culinary wonders of Japan’s food markets.
Nguyen did not miss a chance to get a selfie in the heart of Shinjuku.
ECE Takes You There Means More Than Travel
“To me, the phrase ECE Takes You There isn’t just about physical destinations,” Nguyen said. “It speaks to the kind of workplace that makes those journeys and that balance and possible.
Over his 12 years in ECE, Nguyen has experienced professional growth, explored and implemented new technical solutions, and arrived a place where he feels empowered to lead a full life, on and off campus.
“Travel is something I cherish,” said Nguyen. “But more than that, I’m grateful to work somewhere that understands how important it is to have that time. That values family. That values balance. That’s what keeps me here.”
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