Meet the female student from the Specialized High School for Social Sciences and Humanities who received a scholarship to study A-level in the UK.

Q: First, the Media Club (HMC) would like to congratulate Phuong Anh on this admirable achievement. Could Phuong Anh share more about the scholarship program she received?
First of all, I would like to thank HMC for their interest and for asking me questions. Regarding the scholarship I just received, it is the “Business Scholarship” program from Oxford Sixth Form College – a top-ranked Sixth Form school (a system of schools for students aged 16 to 19, preparing them for university) with the best teaching quality in the UK. This program is specifically for students with potential and a desire to study A-level subjects related to Business & Management. During the recent interview, I was fortunate enough to be awarded the highest scholarship amount and have the honor of becoming an Ambassador for the school, representing it at international conferences and celebrations.

Q: We all know that the process of preparing to receive a study abroad scholarship is usually not easy. What preparations did Phuong Anh have to make to achieve this scholarship?
For me, the scholarship application process wasn't too difficult because in 9th grade, I already had experience and successfully received a full scholarship from the US for high school students – the "US High School Scholarship" – but I had to decline this opportunity due to the pandemic. This year, with the improved pandemic control measures, I had more time to prepare thoroughly, both in terms of my application and my mindset. First, I continued to maintain a high GPA and participate in extracurricular activities. Then, I prepared my IELTS certificate, wrote my personal essay, prepared letters of recommendation, etc. Finally, I just focused on staying as relaxed as possible during the school's entrance exam and the interview with the principal.

Q: On your scholarship hunting journey, the support of the teachers at the Faculty of Humanities was a huge source of motivation for Phuong Anh. What did the teachers do to help you achieve this scholarship?
Throughout the application process and until I received my results, the teachers at the High School for Social Sciences and Humanities were always there to help and support me. When I was invited to a celebratory party at the British Embassy, ​​Deputy Ambassador Marcus Winsley said that I was a lucky student, not only as a "gifted student" but also as a "gifted teacher."

Hoang Phuong Anh and the entire High-Quality Class 1 K1

Q: Besides being an outstanding student, Phuong Anh is also known for being extremely active in extracurricular activities. How has this helped Phuong Anh?
I think participating in extracurricular activities has helped me a lot. Besides making my application stand out, I also had a very "personal" story to tell in my personal essay. Becoming a co-founder and head of communications for the La'Cinéma Film Club, and a speaker for several student projects, gave me a lot of experience and valuable friends. In addition, working as a scriptwriter for VTV also provided me with a very valuable first income.
 

Hoang Phuong Anh at the charity film screening event of La'Cinéma Club.

Q: Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for students wishing to study abroad is balancing academics and extracurricular activities. Could Phuong Anh share more about her studies and club activities?
I once went through a very difficult time balancing my studies and extracurricular activities. But after receiving advice from others and becoming aware of my poor physical condition, I gradually reorganized my schedule and learned how to heal myself. I made the most of my classes so that when I got home, I only needed to do a few exercises to grasp the knowledge from the entire day. I also focused only on extracurricular activities that matched my strengths and truly aligned with my future goals. Every weekend, I always made time to go to church and play with my dogs and cats. For me, this was a very effective way to relax.
 

Hoang Phuong Anh (first row, left) and the High School Help Kit project.

Q: When moving to a new environment, homesickness and missing your hometown are unavoidable. What does Phuong Anh miss and regret most about her time at the Faculty of Humanities?
I will definitely miss my teachers and classmates. Sometimes I feel a little sad when I hear my classmates discussing their plans for yearbook photos or activities for 12th grade that I won't have the chance to participate in. I also feel sad when my teachers remind me what I need to do to avoid feeling lost while studying and living in England. Hearing those "final words of advice" from my teachers makes me feel more attached to the Faculty of Humanities than ever before.
 

Q: I wonder if Phuong Anh has any hopes or aspirations for when she moves to a new and developed country like the UK? Please share some of your plans for when you go there!
I've been inspired by those who came before me, so I have many plans for the future. First, I'll learn a new language and create a more structured daily routine so I can quickly adapt to life in the UK – sounds very much like a "student studying abroad," doesn't it?

Q: Finally, Phương Anh, please share a message with your friends and younger colleagues at the Faculty of Humanities!
I want to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you at the Faculty of Humanities for contributing to making my high school years so colorful. I hope that wherever you are and whatever you do, you will always feel at peace, and most importantly, have faith in yourselves.

Thank you for sharing your story, Phuong Anh. Your achievements will undoubtedly be a great source of motivation for the warriors at HSSH to continue striving on their journey to conquer new horizons. We wish Phuong Anh continued success and even greater achievements over there!