Redefining how we love | Cynthia Ong | TEDxVCU

Cynthia Ong takes us through her emotional journey of learning how to love. The standard of love set by her immigrant parents was one of sacrifice. Over the years, she realized that this was not a framework for love that she could embody in a healthy manner. Cynthia shares with us what she, through self reflection and therapy, learned to value in relationships along with important lessons that we can all learn from and apply to our lives. Cynthia Ong is currently a second-year medical student at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. While she attributes all of her success to the love, support, and opportunities provided to her by the sacrifices of her first-generation immigrant parents, she also acknowledges the struggles associated with growing up in this household dynamic. As a future physician, she wishes to one day inspire others to live their lives to the fullest potential, and hopes that this TedTalk is another means to do just that. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at