Brothers are both valedictorians of Japanese universities

Ai Duyen, 25 years old, graduated as valedictorian of Economics at Teikyo University, Japan, continuing her brother's achievements.

Nguyen Ngoc Ai Duyen received her graduation certificate as valedictorian on March 21. Two years ago, Nguyen Duy, Duyen's brother, a former student of the school, also achieved this achievement.

"I'm touched. The result has made up for my efforts over the years," Duyen said.

The graduation ceremony was witnessed by Duyen’s brother. On April 1, the two siblings will begin a new journey when Duyen goes to China to study Chinese Education with a Confucius Institute scholarship, while Duy receives a doctoral scholarship at the University of Tokyo, ranked 28th in the world.

Duy attended his sister's graduation ceremony at Teikyo University, Japan, on March 21. Photo: Pham Chi Vien — Duy attended his sister's graduation ceremony at Teikyo University, Japan, on March 21. Photo: *Pham Chi Vien*

In 2016, Duy went to Japan to study Japanese for two years. With excellent results, he was recommended by his language school to Teikyo University. Duy later graduated as valedictorian of his Economics major and received a master's scholarship from Hitotsubashi University.

Seeing his educational opportunities early, Duyen also dreamed of studying abroad. In 2018, the female student passed the French department of Can Tho University, but decided to give up to go to Japan.

Initially, Duyen studied Japanese at the Unitas Japanese Language School in Tokyo. Although she had studied Japanese for several months before arriving, Duyen still could not communicate or understand. She applied for a part-time job at a bento shop, bringing the menu home every day to read and memorize vocabulary. A month later, Duyen could confidently answer the phone from customers.

Thanks to her diligence, Duyen was in the top 3 of her class in terms of academic results. She was also recommended by the school principal to Teikyo University with a 30% tuition scholarship.

Teikyo University is the fifth-highest impact university (IF) among private universities in Japan, according to THE 's 2023 rankings . To maintain the scholarship, female students must maintain stable performance, with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.9/4 or higher.

Based on his learning experience, Duy supported his sister from the first year. Duy guided Duyen to register for courses effectively. The program includes compulsory and elective courses. Compulsory courses are often difficult, so instead of studying all of them in the first year, Duyen divided them evenly to study over three years.

"I only give directions, Duy has to be self-reliant," said Duy.

Duyen wore traditional Japanese costume to receive her university diploma on March 21. Photo: Pham Chi Vien — Duyen wore traditional Japanese costume to receive her university diploma on March 21. Photo: *Pham Chi Vien*

Among the subjects, Duyen found Macroeconomics and Microeconomics the most difficult. Not good at Math, and having to deal with a lot of specialized Japanese terms, she struggled. The female student also had to get used to the way of learning here, especially group work skills.

Duyen prioritizes her studies, but to cover expenses, she works part-time from 5-6pm every day and doesn't come home until 11:30pm. Therefore, Duyen takes advantage of free periods at school and on the train to study. If she doesn't understand something, Duyen reads more documents, often asks and asks teachers for further guidance.

"There is no other way but to try. If I fail the subject, I will lose my scholarship," Duyen shared.

Duyen said she felt pressured because her older brother was a good student and always set deadlines for her to complete her courses. She had to manage on her own and only got help from him when she had no other choice.

Thanks to her brother's strictness and detailed planning, Duyen gradually achieved her academic goals such as having a Boki accounting certificate, a four-year GPA of 3.61/4, and a Chinese proficiency certificate level 5/6 with 200/300 points.

With experience working for non-governmental organizations, business projects, and translating for NHK television, Duy grasped the job trends and guided his sister to learn Chinese and apply for a scholarship to study in China. According to him, students all know Japanese and English, if Duyen had Chinese, she would be different.

Professor Rieko Matsuoka, Teikyo University, is proud to teach Duy and his brothers English and some ECCP courses for the top 1% of students with the highest GPA at the school. She said the two are considered the first siblings to graduate as valedictorians at the school.

"They are excellent students. I really enjoy having them in class," Ms. Rieko shared.

As Duy and Duyen's former teacher at Nguyen Binh Khiem High School, Mr. Truong Son said the two brothers were typical examples of effort and success in studying, inspiring their friends at school.

"I hope they will continue to be successful in the future, making positive contributions to society," said Mr. Son, currently the principal of Long Xuyen High School.

The day Duyen arrived in Japan was also the day her mother passed away. At that time, Duy was afraid that she would want to go home, so he hid the news from Duyen and only told her a week later. Duy always remembers that before she left, her mother was lying on the hospital bed, encouraging her daughter to try hard in her studies.

The two brothers just returned to Vietnam on the anniversary of their mother's death. Duy said that he and his friend opened a free Japanese study abroad consulting center, and planned to set up a scholarship fund to help students who dream of studying abroad but do not have the means. He also plans to return to his old school to become a lecturer after completing his doctorate. He is currently taking additional courses in data and programming to support his work.

Duy's secret to success is to focus on one thing in a short period of time to achieve efficiency instead of spreading out many things at the same time. In addition, he actively builds relationships with friends and teachers to have motivation to study and good job opportunities.

Duyen wants to return to Japan in the future and pursue an academic career.

"I believe my mother is always watching over us and smiling at what we have done," Duyen confided.

Dawn

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