Journey to win 10 billion VND scholarship from international school of Hanoi female student

Student Dao Thi Quynh Anh won a full scholarship for 4 years of study at Amherst College, USA. Photo: NTCC,

A journey full of effort

Speaking to the Education and Times Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Huong, homeroom teacher of English 12 class at the Pedagogical High School, expressed her joy when receiving the news from her student. Quynh Anh has a talent for writing and composing poetry in English, and she and a friend once published a poetry collection.

Female student Dao Thi Quynh Anh also won first prize in the National Excellent Student Contest in English for the 2024-2025 school year; first prize in the Hanoi National University Excellent Student Contest in English in 2024; first prize in the Hanoi National University English Olympiad in 2024...

In addition, Quynh Anh is the President of the Chess Club and participates in organizing the school's United Nations simulation conference. She received the "3 Good Students" Certificate of Merit from the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union for her achievements in studying and participating in extracurricular activities.

Unable to hide her emotions and surprise when she received the news that she had won a scholarship to Amherst University (USA), female student Dao Thi Quynh Anh confided that her hands were shaking a little when she opened the letter. When she saw the congratulatory message, she felt relieved and happy to have been accepted to her dream school.

Class 12 English 1 of Ms. Hoai Huong, homeroom teacher, and students.

Ms. Le Thi Ha, Quynh Anh's mother, confided that her dream of studying abroad had been nurtured since grade 5. Having access to computers, she watched YouTube programs, international students' Vlogs, and English movies. From then on, Quynh Anh wanted to step out into the world to explore and learn.

She drew a plan on an A3 sheet of paper, specifically writing down the steps she needed to take, such as learning English and driving, and then put it in a drawer as a wish. When she passed the English major class at the Pedagogical High School and met like-minded friends, Quynh Anh became more confident and determined to make her dream come true.

This female student started preparing her application after winning third prize in the National Excellent Student Contest in English in 11th grade. In March 2024, Quynh Anh practiced for the SAT and scored 1,590/1,600 after three months of studying hard. She also got 8.5 on the IELTS on her first try.

"Knowing our daughter's goals, her family and teachers always create all conditions for her to pursue her passion and focus on her studies. Next year, Amherst University will only award 100% scholarships to a very small number of foreign students to study here. Now that we have secured the scholarship, the whole family is extremely excited and grateful for the companionship and support from the teachers of the Pedagogical High School," Ms. Le Thi Ha shared.

Proud "sweet fruit"

Dao Thi Quynh Anh (3rd from left) with homeroom teacher Hoai Huong and friends. Photo: NTCC.

Loving literature and having talked to an American author who was a former student of Amherst College, Quynh Anh set her goal to become a freshman at this school, which is also ranked second in the US liberal arts college rankings, according to US News and World Report.

In the main essay, with the requirement to tell a story that helped the candidate understand others better or draw a lesson for herself, female student Dao Thi Quynh Anh chose to write about her navel ring.

The female student said that since she was a child, she has been able to express herself through rhythmic gymnastics competitions, wearing colorful costumes, painting her face and dancing to music. This sport helps her liberate her body, feel free and beautify her body the way she wants.

However, since preparing to enter 10th grade, she had to give up that passion to focus on studying. In 11th grade, Quynh Anh hid her belly button piercing from her parents. But her mother discovered the secret on Tet holiday in 2023, making the whole family unhappy.

One day, my mother asked me about the scar on my belly button and told me about the day I was born. She had to have a cesarean section and still has a scar on her belly. My mother's story made me realize how important my body is, not only to me but also to my mother.

"I didn't know that when I pressed the metal piercing through my skin, I was in pain, and my mother was even more hurt. If it weren't for my mother's scar, I wouldn't be here today. The lesson I learned is that every relationship only becomes stronger when we dare to overcome fear and leave a mark. The scars are like a compass that guides me and my mother to understanding and connection," Quynh Anh confided.

According to Ms. Hoai Huong, Quynh Anh is expected to go to the US to begin her study abroad journey in August. She is studying Korean, Spanish and sign language. She is also learning research skills to adapt to her new life, and plans to study Educational Research and Sociology. After graduation, she will pursue a master's degree to become a teacher.

Information on the Amherst University website clearly states that the cost of the next academic year for each student is about 99,500 USD (more than 2.5 billion VND). In addition, Quynh Anh was also accepted into two other schools in the US: Trinity University with a full scholarship - equivalent to 9.2 billion VND; Colby University with 8.6 billion VND in support, the family only has to pay about 126 million VND per year.

Source: https://danviet.vn/hanh-trinh-gianh-hoc-bong-10-ty-dong-truong-quoc-te-cua-nu-sinh-ha-noi-20250330153433957.htm