Failing the architecture university entrance exam, Linh reviewed and passed the following year. She then sought an opportunity to study abroad and graduated as valedictorian at a foreign university. She continued to win scholarships and completed her master’s degree at MIT (USA).
Trinh Pham Hai Linh
With a desire to contribute to his homeland, Trinh Pham Hai Linh (34 years old) has just returned to Vietnam after a period of working at the Department of Technology and Innovation, Office of the Mayor of Boston (USA).
Persistent, determined
Before graduating with a bachelor's degree in the UK and a master's degree in the US, Linh encountered countless difficulties on her academic path.
In 2008, failing the entrance exam to the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, with an inferiority complex, Linh decided to enroll in a design course, learn a trade, and at the same time study for the university entrance exam. Not giving up, a year later, Linh passed the interior design department of this school.
However, after studying for nearly 2 years, Linh realized that she was not suitable for this industry.
The door to the planning industry opened when Linh attended the "Climate Change Adaptation" workshop and community project organized by the University of Hamburg (Germany) and the planning department of the University of Architecture in 2011.
With this project, Linh and German students researched ways to address the impact of climate change on the community in Tan Hoa - Lo Gom area (HCMC). Linh witnessed firsthand the suffering of people due to poor living environment and pollution and longed for a solution.
Linh realized that planning is not simply about drawing up projects, but also a tool to help improve the environment, develop the economy and society to improve the quality of life for people. That is why Linh decided to pursue this field.
Thanks to her efforts and hard work, Linh was advised by the professor to switch to planning and promised to write a letter of recommendation if she studied abroad.
"At that time, I only had two options: reviewing math, physics, and drawing to retake the university entrance exam, which was full of hardship and risk, or considering the German professor's suggestion to study abroad with the promise of writing a letter of recommendation. In the end, I realized that studying abroad was a more reasonable solution," Linh shared.
When applying to Oxford Brookes University, Linh used her high school graduation results and wrote an essay to apply for a scholarship. Thanks to her active participation in social work activities and organizing many community programs, Linh convinced the admissions board.
Come to contribute
In 2012, Linh went to the UK to study at Oxford Brookes University with a 50% scholarship. Dr. Laura Novo de Azevedo - lecturer at Oxford Brookes University - shared that Linh is a great colleague, capable, mature and full of enthusiasm for every task.
In 2017, Linh graduated as valedictorian and won the Best Planning Student award from the Royal Planning Society of England.
After graduating, Hai Linh returned home, dreaming of pursuing a master's degree at Cambridge or Harvard. From 2017 to 2021, she persistently applied for scholarships 10 times, and despite failing 7 times, she did not give up.
In 2021, Hai Linh won a Fulbright scholarship, a scholarship for Vietnamese candidates to study for a master's degree in the US. In March 2022, Linh received news that she was accepted to MIT, to study for a master's degree in urban planning.
During her first two semesters, Linh took classes in data science and programming in addition to her required courses. In her third semester, she continued her studies in public policy at Harvard and took some entrepreneurship classes at MIT. In her final semester, Linh and her friends founded a startup, attended two MIT entrepreneurship programs, and completed her master’s thesis.
In May 2024, Linh graduated from the master's program at MIT. After that, she worked at the Department of Technology and Innovation of Boston City (USA) before deciding to return to Vietnam to start a career to contribute to her homeland.
"Before, when I failed the university entrance exam, I was quite self-conscious, but thanks to perseverance in overcoming difficulties and gradually conquering small successes, I gradually became more confident. Those things helped me to be steadfast and calm when facing big difficulties later on," Linh shared.
Currently, Linh is involved in research on the role of urban planning in addressing climate change issues in Vietnam. In addition, she is building an innovative startup project related to exporting Vietnam's intangible culture to the world.
Walk on your own two feet
While studying at Oxford Brookes University, Linh carefully planned her work and study strategies to cover her expenses.
To get free accommodation, Linh works as a student welfare officer in the dormitory, working one night shift a week and one weekend a month. Her living expenses come from her work as a student ambassador and faculty secretary.
Her main job is to give tours to students and parents, or participate in school promotion programs, receive assignments and answer questions for students. In addition, she also works as a graphic design tutor.
Give your all to your work
Ms. Mai Tang, Hai Linh's former colleague, shared that Linh is a person with extremely logical thinking, sharp analytical ability and a very clear and coherent approach to problems. However, contrary to what many people think, rational people are often dry, Linh is extremely funny and sociable.
Not only having a sharp mind, according to Ms. Mai Tang, one of the important factors that helped Linh achieve success is dedication. Once she decides to pursue something, Linh will devote 1,000% of her effort.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cu-but-pha-ngoan-muc-cua-nu-sinh-tung-truot-dai-hoc-20250310002607784.htm
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