Gankhuyag Tsogoo said his experiences at BYU–Hawaii helped him overcome self-doubt and prepared him to become a spiritual leader. Tsogoo’s former stake president said he has inspired the youth in Mongolia through his exemplary self-conduct and work ethic.
Tsogoo, an alumnus from Mongolia who graduated in 2012 and double majored in supply chain management and marketing, said after his graduation, he went back home and worked at the Khas Bank, one of the top banks in Mongolia, as a public and foreign relations manager. He also served as a bishop for the Sansar Ward of the Ulaanbaatar East Stake in Mongolia.
Later, he worked as a welfare and self-reliance manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where. According to Odgerel Ochirjav, Tsogoo’s former stake president, he helped many people succeed and become self-reliant.
A Christ-like example
Ochirjav said Tsogoo positively influenced the youth in Mongolia through his exemplary self-conduct, healthy lifestyle and work ethic. He does his best on everything he is trusted with, Ochirjav said.
Ochirjav explained he and Tsogoo would exercise together during their lunch breaks and sometimes Tsogoo would miss their workouts. “I was wondering why?” Ochirjav said, “but later I found out that he sacrificed his lunch time to help people who came to ask help from him. He is an example of so many Christ-like attributes.”
Onon Dalaikhuu, a sophomore from Mongolia majoring in human resources, said Tsogoo helped young adults find good jobs when he worked as a self-reliance manager. “He is polite and treats everyone properly. He is very knowledgeable but so humble, and I admire that.”
Tsogoo said his biggest challenges were self-doubt and insecurity. However, his callings in the Church, his mission and his time at BYUH helped him see his full potential, he said.
Becoming an interpreter
He explained when he looks back now, his decision to join the Church was one of the most defining moments of his life. This decision, he said, brought further opportunities that changed his life.
One of these, was attending BYUH, Tsogoo shared, because he not only grew spiritually, but also he was able to learn English at a higher level. This helped him become one of the five interpreters who translated for the 12th Asia Europe Meeting.
The ASEM, according to aseminfoboard.com, is an Asian–European intergovernmental process that enhances relations between Asia and Europe.
Tsogoo said the Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was looking for interpreters, and he applied for the position. He explained he didn’t have any professional training, and his only experience as an interpreter was on his mission.
Professional interpreters from the European Union came to Mongolia to test the shortlisted candidates, he said. “Fortunately, I passed the test and was selected as one of the five interpreters.”
The chosen five interpreters went to Brussels, Belgium, where they received professional training at the European Commission. He said the training lasted for five months, and he learned many of the necessary skills needed to interpret at the ASEM. “I am still learning and growing. I have a long way to go,” Tsogoo commented.
Ochirjav said Tsogoo served his mission sincerely and learned English by reading the Book of Mormon. At BYUH, Tsogoo’s English improved significantly, and today he is one of the best simultaneous interpreters in Mongolia, Ochirjav said.
Tsogoo said he made many precious memories at BYUH. “The wonderful people who work and study at BYUH taught me what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ.” Currently, he is studying for a master's of public administration at BYU in Provo. Tsogoo and his wife, Tsatsral Enkhtuvshin, an alumna of BYUH who majored in accounting, have two sons.
In the future, Tsogoo said he is planning to start his own business that will help others start and expand their own businesses.
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