Nguyen Tai Tam (born in 2002) has had the opportunity to experience 15 countries around the world with special study programs and travel with savings.
In 2020, when I came to the US to study Computational Science at Minerva University, I did not think I would have the opportunity to set foot in so many countries. From Asia, Europe to America, I have set foot in a total of 15 countries thanks to the school's program and independent travel.
Tai Tam was able to explore many countries thanks to a special study program. (Photo: NVCC)
Student travel
The school I attended has a special feature compared to other universities in the US: the global exchange program. Accordingly, in 4 years, students will be able to "travel" to 6 different countries according to the school's program, including Korea, Argentina, Germany, Taiwan (China), India and the UK.
The remaining countries, including the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, the Philippines, Ireland and the US, I mainly traveled in a “student on a budget” style, focusing on experiencing the landscape, culture and people in that country.
Whenever I go to a new country, whether it's for exchange or tourism, I usually prepare everything carefully, including finding a place to stay, buying a phone SIM card, learning about transportation, and asking locals about things to note regarding security in the area.
Tai Tam prepares carefully before each trip to learn and have the best experiences. (Photo: NVCC)
Being a meticulous person, I often research destinations very carefully to plan my trip. This helps me optimize my time and money every time I go to a new country, so I can explore and experience many different things.
One thing that I think not only me, but many people also encounter when “traveling” is the fear of having a bad experience in that country. After a few experiences, I realized that the problem lies with myself - not researching carefully, not knowing where to play.
To cope with this challenge, I focused on researching the country I was going to, and also asked for advice from my local friends. In this regard, I am especially grateful to Minerva University because thanks to the international student community, I have made many friends from many different countries. Through that, my trips were also “easier” thanks to their enthusiastic support.
If I go to a new country but don’t know any local friends, I don’t hesitate to use online dating apps to make new friends. My travels have taught me a lesson: “don’t be shy”, be bold in getting to know people and seek help from others.
New experiences and new friends
I learned the lesson of making new friends through an impromptu trip to Hungary. That time, while studying exchange in Germany, I decided to book a cheap flight to Budapest. The Minerva community did not have any Hungarian students, so I took a chance and made a friend online - a Vietnamese student in Budapest.
Surprisingly, this friend rented a house with a group of other Vietnamese international students, so I met many new friends there. Hungary was strange, but I still felt warm and familiar because my Vietnamese friends showed me interesting destinations and delicious restaurants that only locals knew about.
The lesson the male student learned after the trips is not to be afraid to ask, not to be afraid to seek help. (Photo: NVCC)
Having traveled to many countries and explored many new lands, the most frequently asked question I receive is “what is my favorite place?” In fact, it is difficult for me to point out a specific place that I love because each country has its own unique culture and experiences.
But if I had to point out the country that impressed me the most, it would probably be Argentina and China. I was impressed with Argentina because it is a country very far from Vietnam, everything from cuisine to people is very different, giving me new travel experiences that I have never had before. As for China, this country gave me the impression of a developed, independent and culturally rich land. Coming to this country, I felt like I was lost in a separate world because they produce everything themselves and have a modern technological system.
In addition to questions about countries, I am often asked about the secret to traveling to so many countries. Actually, I do not have any special secret, because from the beginning I was very lucky to study at a school that allows students to explore many new lands.
If I were to point out a lesson for young people who love to travel during their time studying abroad, I would just emphasize that the most valuable thing is an open mind and a fearless spirit. Go out there and look for beautiful things in different countries, remove all previous prejudices and be brave and comfortable facing difficulties (if any) when traveling.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/4-nam-du-hoc-toi-dat-chan-den-15-quoc-gia-khac-nhau-ar923711.html
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