A New Chapter: Winning a Scholarship in Taiwan

My first trip abroad to Taiwan was short, but it changed the way I saw the world. For the first time, I realized that life outside Vietnam was not just something I could watch on television or read in books - it was real, reachable, and waiting to be experienced.

The path was not easy. At that time, I had a demanding job with long hours and high pressure. My days began at 7 a.m. and often ended at 9 p.m. Only late at night - sometimes after 11 p.m. - could I sit down to review English lessons and prepare my scholarship applications. I was exhausted, but I told myself: If I want a different future, I must earn it.

The first application was discouraging. I received only a 50% tuition scholarship. For a moment, I doubted myself again. But I refused to stop there. I studied how to improve my essays, strengthened my profile, and applied again the following semester. This time, I won a full scholarship for my MBA at Chang Gung University. 

The early days were not easy. My English was not as strong as many of my classmates’, and Mandarin was still unfamiliar. I often felt lost in translation, both inside and outside the classroom. But step by step, I learned to adapt. I worked as a teaching and admission assistant while completing my studies. These roles gave me confidence, taught me how to support others, and built my skills in cross-cultural communication.

Taiwan also gave me something even more valuable than academic success. It taught me resilience and the power of community. Friends, professors, and even strangers helped me along the way, reminding me that asking for help is not weakness - it is a way to grow.

For someone who once thought studying abroad was impossible, this was more than just an academic achievement. It was proof that change is possible if we dare to try.

Toward the end of my MBA, the university introduced a paid internship program in the United States. Each year, only eight students were selected through three rounds of recruitment. Honestly, I didn’t expect myself to be one of them. As the deadline approached, I even hesitated to apply. But once again, life had its own way of surprising me - this time, in a way that would take me further than I had ever imagined.