Confidently go out to sea

For Khanh Ngoc, the journey to maturity is the result of self-effort and a spirit of constant learning.

Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngoc (born 2006, from Nghe An ), a former student of Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted (formerly Vinh City, Nghe An Province), had intended to study abroad after graduating from university. However, the turning point came earlier when she became a student at the University of Hong Kong (China, HKU) - the starting point for many breakthroughs.

Ready to face the challenge

Ngoc is one of 20 young Vietnamese people receiving full scholarships from HKU. This is a special honor because with a history of more than a century, HKU has affirmed its position as a prestigious school (ranked 2nd in Asia and 11th in the world, as announced by the global education ranking organization Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngoc was chosen to represent nearly a thousand young people from 53 countries to speak at the closing ceremony of the international exchange program at Fudan University (Shanghai - China). (Photo provided by the character)

Ngoc's dream of making a mark on the international academic map was shaped by her childhood. When she was in high school, as a class monitor, Ngoc knew how to organize events, take charge of work, and unite the group. She always showed a dynamic and active spirit, contributing to many projects, being the Head of the Organizing Committee of the Imaras Project volunteer group (under the auspices of the Nghe An Provincial Red Cross), Head of the Communication Committee of the Psychology Club, participating in sex education for disabled children. "Every experience urges me to show more social responsibility. I believe it is an opportunity for young people to improve themselves, live a useful life, promote and spread beautiful values" - Ngoc said.

Ngoc has an IELTS score of 7.5, a 1350-point SAT score, the title of "3 Good Students" at the Central level, the Second Prize in the Provincial Excellent Student, the Second Prize in the Provincial Science and Technology Competition; graduated from the Western Musical Instrument Performance major at Nghe An College of Culture and Arts and other awards. Ngoc worked hard to prepare not only to appear as a qualified candidate but also to show her unique personal story through each interview round at HKU.

Joining HKU – one of the top universities in the region opened a valuable door leading Ngoc to a stressful but extremely rewarding and interesting journey.

Leaving home for the first time at the age of 18, she became independent. The collection of "huge" awards and titles from local to central levels throughout the years of study is a memorable asset but not enough. The spirit of learning and courage is the key for Ngoc to firmly build her inner strength. From the first unfamiliar days until Ngoc left her mark in many activities, creating sympathy with teachers and friends from all over the world... is the result of her dedicated efforts, dedication, and always ready to face challenges. The Gen Z girl reminds herself that her family is always a support so that Ngoc is not alone. HKU's multicultural environment, with a program taught entirely in English and a vibrant life in a famous economic zone, helps Ngoc discover herself and hone her skills. She sharpens her critical thinking and is motivated by positive competition from talented and enthusiastic classmates from many countries.

Forming a global citizen mindset

Closing the first school year, Ngoc eagerly filled the summer with meaningful choices. Starting with a trip in May 2025 to Dong Ao, Yilan Country (Taiwan - China), she and her friends studied the life connected with nature, sustainable practices of the Atayal community (one of the ethnic minority groups here), and proposed solutions to improve people's lives. In June, Ngoc took on the role of coordinator of the "Global Leadership Development" program in Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia. She was the leader of the internship group, working directly in the locality, honing negotiation and management skills and shaping management thinking.

Khanh Ngoc (white hat, short black dress) attended the HKU scholarship award ceremony with Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong Le Duc Hanh

In July, Ngoc won a scholarship to the international summer exchange program at Fudan University (Shanghai, China). For 4 weeks, she and more than 900 international students from 170 universities around the world attended high-quality classes from economics, finance to culture. In addition, from May to August, Ngoc also participated in the online program Launchpad Academy Cohort 2025 of ASEAN Youth Organization to develop business skills, entrepreneurship, data analysis through workshops and group challenge simulations.

Returning to Vietnam for a short time, Ngoc had time to intern at an accounting and finance company before returning to school for the new school year. For Ngoc, the more diverse the environment, the more opportunities young people have to connect with large organizations, and outstanding achievements will make an impression on employers.

"Opportunities only truly come when we dare to try and are not afraid of failure. Traveling to many places, in addition to learning, I also enjoy the pace of life and expand my relationships. More importantly, it is to form the mindset of a global citizen: an open attitude, respect for differences, a multidimensional vision and a willingness to take steps" - Ngoc emphasized.

MSc. Vu Hai Truong (University Admissions Office at HKU) commented: Ngoc has performed well since high school and can fully develop her abilities when entering famous domestic schools. The outstanding achievements of international students like Ngoc are proof for HKU to have a clearer view of the potential of Vietnamese youth. It is not an exaggeration to say that Ngoc and talented individuals of our country are convincing educational ambassadors for HKU to confidently continue to pay attention, favor, and open more doors of opportunity for Vietnamese students to study and grow up in one of the world's top quality schools.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tu-tin-ra-bien-lon-196250823201745805.htm