Lina Tran, a beautiful Russian-Vietnamese student, is currently studying English Language major at the International School- Vietnam National University-Hanoi. Upon her initial arrival at the school, Lina was very timid and shy, could not fully immerse herself in the new environment. However, as time progressed, Lina underwent a remarkable transformation within a few months: She actively engaging in various school activities tailored for international students. Notably, Lina eagerly enrolled in the student exchange program, co-organized by the International School and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore. Her efforts culminated in the prestigious achievement of being awarded a student exchange scholarship to the esteemed National University of Singapore (NUS) last semester.

– Congratulations on receiving a scholarship for the student exchange program at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Could you share your feelings upon receiving this prestigious scholarship?
– Thank you. I’m extremely happy that I received this scholarship, and am grateful to everyone who believed in me.

– How do you feel about the program at NUS? What advantages and disadvantages have you encountered in this new learning environment?
– The program at NUS is intense, I always have something to do and work on. The most important advantage for me is that I learn to apply theory immediately into practice. Each assignment or exam at NUS is based on the application of knowledge acquired during lectures, and not on cramming the material. At NUS, there is a real emphasis on a deep understanding of the material and its application, which has greatly improved my problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Speaking of disadvantages, probably the most crucial one for me is the time limit on exams. For me personally, the allotted time for the exams was critically insufficient, which gave me enormous stress.

– It is known that your father is Vietnamese, and your mother is Russian. You lived in Russia for an extended period before returning to Vietnam. What motivated your decision to return to Vietnam for your university studies?
– When I was 16 years old, I returned to Vietnam with my parents for one month, during which I visited several cities and lived with my grandmother in the village. After returning back to Russia, the impressions of Vietnam could not leave me and I began to think about moving to try to live and study in another country and get to know my father’s culture better.

– Did you face any challenges upon returning to Vietnam to live and study? How did you manage to overcome these difficulties and obstacles?
– One of the obstacles was my poor knowledge of the Vietnamese language, it was quite difficult for me to communicate with locals. It’s still difficult for me, but it motivates me to learn Vietnamese more diligently. Another inconvenience is getting around in Hanoi since I don’t ride a motorcycle, hopefully, I will soon solve this problem by finally overcoming my fear of riding a bike.

– Could you share your experience studying at the International School and what drew you to the English language major?
– I firmly believe that VNU-IS serves as an excellent foundation for my future professional endeavors. Also, I deeply appreciate VNU-IS’s invaluable opportunities, including engaging with individuals from diverse countries and the chance to partake in a range of programs, notably the NUS exchange program. I selected an English Language major due to my goal of pursuing a career in International and Global Public Relations. In this field, proficiency in foreign languages and a knowledge of business principles are crucial, and my major aligns perfectly with my objectives.

– How do you go about setting your goals for a semester at NUS? Can you share your experience applying for scholarships with both international and Vietnamese students?
– This semester I set a goal for myself to try to learn something new and get out of my comfort zone, so this semester I am studying subjects that once seemed beyond my ability. Reflecting on my scholarship application journey, I ensured that I had a strong GPA and actively participated in extracurricular activities. In my case, my involvement in research work and participation in events organized by VNU-IS, including debates and OIP, played a significant role in making my application competitive.

– Thank you, Lina Tran. We wish you great experiences at NUS and continued success in your studies.