Loving and being attached to the field of International Studies from her student days until finishing her PhD program at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Doan Thi Thu Huong shares her memories with her teachers and the school as well as the difficulties that a PhD student must overcome to complete her studies...
If I were to talk about the field of International Studies that I love, it would be that this is an interdisciplinary field of study that tends to draw on the social sciences (political science, economics, sociology, law and communication) and the humanities (history, culture, language). The focus of international studies is on global issues in the past and present, including the issue of peace and conflict between states, international political economy and development, comparison of social, economic and political systems, the study of organizations and international and transnational issues. In the context of increasing globalization and integration, in-depth research on international relations not only opens up opportunities to understand the world but also helps you understand more about culture, civilization and find lessons and experiences that can be applied to the country you live in.
The doctoral thesis “Security and Defense Policy of the European Union (2007-2019)” is a topic that I have been passionate about, dedicated to, and cherished researching since I was a student because this is a specific policy of a special regional institution. The movement of this policy has an impact not only on the situation in the European region but also causes fluctuations in world politics, especially when security and defense are extremely complex and sensitive fields when associated with issues of sovereignty and national interest calculations.
It can be said that, through analyzing and evaluating the practical implementation of the European Union's Common Security and Defense Policy (2007 - 2019), I personally tried to present the typical characteristics of a specific security policy, and at the same time forecast the movement trend of this policy until 2025. This can be considered a new result and a contribution to the development of international relations science. The thesis has been published by the Social Sciences Publishing House as a monograph for research and teaching purposes.
The process of studying for a PhD is not a rosy path, but a PhD student must go through many challenges such as arranging time to be able to focus on research and complete the thesis in the best way, while ensuring work at the agency and taking care of family life; determination, passion to find a way to satisfactorily solve the problem that he or she chooses to research with much enthusiasm. Therefore, the process of studying for a PhD can be considered a "test" that creates the premise for the individual to practice in order to form the virtues of a true scientist.
Personally, I have been attached to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities for 14 years, from when I was just a freshman until I completed my PhD program. For me, this is my family, my second home - a place that has given me so much love and precious emotions.
For me, the process of studying and researching at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities was the moment I nervously carried my books to the faculty office to ask for her guidance in writing my graduation thesis; the moment when the whole English major class cried with red eyes when we had to say goodbye to the teacher we respected so much when the program ended; the evening graduate school classes in the lecture hall of building G with empty stomachs but enthusiastically debating US foreign policy; the towering stacks of books in the library that we shared to borrow to do a research overview; the moment when my whole class waited for the teacher not to let us take a break because his lectures were so engaging; even the times when we unexpectedly organized birthday parties for the teachers or when my class made a video explaining 7749 reasons for being late to class so that the teacher would not punish us also became memories...
It can be said that "When we are here, the land is where we live - When we leave, the land suddenly becomes our soul", the University of Social Sciences and Humanities is almost the place that has kept my youth, enthusiasm and is also the door that opens my passion and career direction.
