On the morning of May 25, Can Tho University organized the first foreign language proficiency test for graduate level in 2024. Among the 304 candidates, Mr. Nguyen Tan Thanh was the most special candidate as he was determined to study for a master's degree in Vietnamese literature at the age of 87.
Know and teach 9 foreign languages
Taking the exam at a rare age, Mr. Thanh was given the opportunity to take the elevator and was given detailed instructions by the school staff. He was a teacher to many generations, including lecturers at Can Tho University and candidates. Therefore, his determination to "pass the gate" surprised many people.
Mr. Thanh was present very early at the exam site.
Mr. Thanh arrived at the exam room very early. He said that, besides his main job as a literature teacher, he also focused on studying foreign languages. Thanks to that, he knows and teaches 9 foreign languages, including: English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Spanish... Each foreign language has a proper standard certificate. However, when taking the exam, he still felt a bit worried and pressured. Because he wanted to set an example for young people about studying seriously, always striving to the best of his ability to achieve the best results.
Mr. Thanh said that before he was 20 years old, he taught literature, and at the age of 21, he officially became a blackboard teacher. His passion for literature, art, and culture was very great. At the age of 7 or 8, he already knew how to write Tang poetry, at the age of 13, he had a short story published in a literary magazine. By the age of 15, he had quite a few articles published in newspapers. Although he has been retired for more than 20 years, he is still diligent in writing. The number of 4 poetry collections, 5 story collections, 15 poetry and story translation collections, and more than 10 paintings in the exhibition more or less speaks for itself.
Mr. Thanh does not consider studying with young people as a generation gap, but on the contrary, it is an interesting experience.
Mr. Thanh graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1972, then continued his studies to graduate school, and his graduation thesis was almost completed. However, around April 1975, his supervisor suddenly passed away, and due to difficulties at work, he was unable to complete the program.
He planned to study again but family tragedy struck. Mr. Thanh's wife died of cancer when she was only 27, leaving behind four young children. "Although she was not pretty, she was very good at arts and was also a teacher. When my wife died, my youngest child was only 1.5 months old. At that time, life was very difficult, hunger was imminent, I had to put my dream on hold to find a way to raise my children," Mr. Thanh recalled.
Mr. Thanh decided to take the master's exam after providing his four children with a decent life and stable jobs.
Being late but still reaching the destination is still meaningful
Despite being a single father, Mr. Thanh tried very hard so all of his children studied well, graduated and had stable jobs, including 3 who followed in his footsteps as teachers. When his children had families, he felt that he was still healthy and had passion, so he decided to take the master's exam, fulfilling his unfinished dream of decades.
Mr. Thanh is active and happy to share with everyone.
According to Mr. Thanh, a master's degree will help his path of research, creation and service to arts, culture and education to be smoother. Many of his friends who have succeeded in their academic careers are also the motivation for him to continue studying. "Going to school now is indeed late, but if you go late, in hardship and still reach your destination, it is still meaningful. The path I have outlined is very clear, I will never change my stance," Mr. Thanh shared.
Sending her best wishes to Mr. Thanh, Nguyen Diem Tuyet Trinh (22 years old, student at Can Tho University), shared: "I used to study at Mr. Thanh's foreign language center. Today, seeing him taking the master's exam at the school was really surprising. I was surprised because he was old but still determined to go to school, but I also understood because he is a very talented person, always wanting to improve his knowledge and willing to learn."
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cu-ong-87-tuoi-o-mien-tay-du-thi-thac-si-185240525140957694.htm
Comment (0)