Thai Nhat Linh, a student from the C5 English specialized class at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, has been accepted to the Institute of Economics, Finance, and Management at Tsinghua University with a 50% tuition scholarship. Tsinghua is China's top university and ranks 12th globally according to the 2025 THE World University Rankings. Tuition fees are approximately 26,000 CNY per year, equivalent to 95 million VND.

Linh admitted she hadn't entirely expected a full scholarship due to the high competition but expressed some disappointment.

Previously, Linh received a full scholarship to study economics, management, and computer science at Bocconi University in Italy. After careful consideration, she chose to study in China because of its robust economy, reasonable costs, and Tsinghua's world-leading status.

"I want to study in a dynamic and highly integrated environment. My chosen field also connects with major universities in Europe and America, providing opportunities for a global perspective," Linh explained.

Nhat Linh, a student from the English specialized class at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, Nghe An. Photo: Provided by the subject.

Linh recounted her first encounter with Chinese in 8th grade, which gradually became a personal interest. After a pause during her preparation for gifted student exams and high school entrance exams, she resumed studying the language in 10th grade. She primarily learned through movies, focusing on listening and speaking skills before seriously preparing for the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) exam in mid-November of last year. On her first attempt, Linh achieved HSK5 (level 5/6) as expected.

"The most challenging aspect was memorizing the characters, so I practiced handwriting regularly. I believe this is an effective and long-term memorization method," Linh said.

Linh also achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 and 1560/1600 on the SAT. She acknowledged that the specialized English skills and knowledge from her classes significantly aided her in preparing for these exams.

"I divided my preparation time into phases, prioritizing one exam at a time instead of trying to do everything at once," Linh shared.

According to Linh, the most important factor in language learning is perseverance. "Learning a language is a long journey that requires not only mastering vocabulary and grammar but also a deep understanding of the language's history and the country's culture," she said.

Beyond academics, Linh actively participates in extracurricular activities. She is a member of the school's Debate and Chess Club and a volunteer with the Nghe An Red Cross. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer.

In her application to Tsinghua University, in addition to certificates, resume, recommendation letters, and study plan, Linh also had to create a self-introduction video. According to her, this was the most demanding part.

"This was the only part where I could creatively express my personality. I had to meticulously write the script, choose camera angles, and arrange the dialogue to convey all the necessary information and make an impression within 3 minutes," Linh explained.

Linh shared about growing up with her twin sister, who is almost identical to her in appearance and interests. This similarity, according to Linh, sometimes created pressure.

"Sometimes people unintentionally see us as one. Mistakes feel doubled, and regardless of who made them, we both get reprimanded," Linh recounted.

Yearning to break free from this shared "mold," Linh chose to assert herself through individual achievements. "Winning on my own used to be a source of pride until I realized that independence also comes with loneliness," she recalled.

From enjoying one-on-one badminton matches with her sister, Linh began to appreciate playing together on the same court, each in their own position, coordinating smoothly. In high school, she also actively participated in volunteer work and dedicated more time to group activities. This shift reflects Linh's growth: from a girl who valued independence and always wanted to win on her own, she gradually learned to live for others, showing care and connection.

"I still retain my unique colors, but I've learned to place them within the larger picture of the community," Linh stated.

On 13/4, Linh received an email informing her that she had passed the application round and had one week to prepare for the interview. Due to a lack of reference materials, she searched for common questions and used AI to practice her responses. She also proactively learned more about China's economic development policies and context through news and social media.

The interview was conducted in both Chinese and English. In addition to technical questions, Linh was asked to solve a math problem without a calculator. One of the questions that impressed her was about the Chinese film industry.

"I was surprised because I didn't have much knowledge in this area, but I tried to connect what I knew and answer as calmly as possible," Linh said.

Nhat Linh in her graduation photo. Photo: Provided by the subject.

Ms. Dang Thi Kim Oanh, Linh's English teacher, said she had previously believed her student would secure the Tsinghua University scholarship. This was because she saw Linh as a well-rounded student. In the recent high school graduation exam, despite having decided to study abroad, Linh still achieved a score of 36.25/40. Her literature score was 9.5, among the highest in the country.

"Linh has good thinking skills, language comprehension, and always sets clear goals," Ms. Oanh commented.

Nhat Linh will travel to China to begin her studies in August. She aims to maintain her scholarship, participate in academic competitions and supplementary courses to expand her learning opportunities and develop soft skills.

"I hope that the knowledge and skills I gain at Tsinghua will be a springboard for my personal development, allowing me to contribute back in the future," Linh expressed.

Huyen Trang