From zero to excellent student in Japan

"As long as you try, everything is possible" - that is the philosophy that Nguyen Tuan Nam (26 years old, from Ha Tinh) always remembers to become an excellent student in Japan from zero.

Constantly striving to prove himself, Nguyen Tuan Nam was chosen as an interpreter for the reception of the President's visit to Japan in 2023 - Photo: NVCC

When adversity is a stepping stone

His family was poor, he lost his father at a young age, in his free time he helped his mother herd cows, and had no opportunity to study further. Nam's journey seemed to start from zero.

But with his efforts, in 2019 Nam received the Mext scholarship - Kosen system of the Japanese Government.

Nguyen Tuan Nam

When he was alive, my father always told me that education is the only way to escape poverty. I always remember this, and constantly strive for a better future.

In 2016, Nam studied hydraulic engineering at the University of Water Resources (Hanoi). Thanks to his diligence and discipline, Nam maintained his top position in the class with a GPA of over 3.2 and continuously won scholarships. This money helped him support himself.

To achieve this achievement, Nam has tried to overcome his inferiority complex during high school years.

"Because of my difficult family circumstances and being an orphan, I was often shunned by many people.

That made me lose confidence and seriously affected my academic performance, my high school graduation exam score was very low.

However, when I entered university, I realized that I was the one who drew my own life. I started to proactively prepare lessons, ask questions to lecturers when I didn't understand, and always remind myself that as long as I try hard, the future will change" - Nam shared.

In addition, from a boy who was weak in English, with his efforts, in 2021 Nam achieved 930 points in the TOEIC exam.

Nam shared that when he studied in Hanoi, he went to West Lake every weekend to chat with foreign guests. Thanks to that, his English speaking skills improved. Besides, Nam always took the opportunity to practice listening to English at all times to improve his reflexes.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nguyen, former principal of Nguyen Hue High School (Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh province), shared that Nam impressed him with his efforts and leadership ability.

His caring and sociable personality helps Nam work well in groups. In addition, Nam always respects everyone's opinions, even when they differ from his own.

Efforts to assert themselves

Nguyen Tuan Nam (middle) at the school's extracurricular activities - Photo: NVCC

In 2019, while a sophomore at Thuyloi University, Nam accidentally learned about the Mext scholarship. He proactively contacted the professor directly via an email from the university's international cooperation department.

Nam did the entire process of preparing and submitting the scholarship application by himself without informing his family. He only shared the good news after he got the result. Luckily, his family appreciated all his efforts.

Sharing the reason for deciding to apply for the scholarship, Nam admitted that at first he was not confident in himself.

However, the desire to overcome poverty and the desire to develop himself became strong motivations, motivating him to try his best.

Nguyen Tuan Nam

I always remember a sentence in the book: "When you actually start doing something, your chance of success is 50%. But if you do nothing, the chance of failure is 100%"

After receiving a scholarship, in 2019 Nam attended a Japanese language school in Tokyo. Despite being exempted from tuition and receiving a monthly allowance, he still worked part-time at a convenience store to both increase his income and facilitate his language practice.

At the same time, Nam actively participated in cultural activities to expand relationships and improve vocabulary. Thanks to his efforts and perseverance, after only 8 months, Nam achieved Japanese level N2.

Nguyen Tuan Nam (4th from right) in the Japanese speech contest - Photo: NVCC

In 2020, Nam enrolled in the civil engineering major at Akita College of Technology (National Institute of Technology, Akita college), becoming a freshman. Most of his classmates were Japanese, so Nam always tried his best.

During his two years in college, Nam was always at the top of his class. Nam said he spent most of his time studying.

To maintain his scholarship, Nam always tries his best, pushing himself to stay up late and wake up early to study. In addition, Nam always takes the initiative to ask the lecturer if he has any questions.

Thanks to this effort, in 2023 Nam was the top of his class at the school's graduation ceremony, representing the entire school to deliver the graduation speech. This was the first foreign student to do this in the entire history of the school.

In addition, in 2023 Nam became an interpreter for the reception of the President's visit to Japan.

Based on the above achievements in 2023, Nam was admitted directly to Kyushu University and continued to study the last 2 years here.

Nam is currently a fourth-year student majoring in civil engineering. In the future, Nam has decided to continue studying for a master's and doctorate. "As long as you try hard, everything is possible," Nam advised.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tu-so-0-tro-thanh-sinh-vien-xuat-sac-tai-nhat-ban-20241201192848697.htm