A thesis, prepared over two years in two different countries, received the maximum score from both the supervising professor and the reviewing professor. A contributor to ussh.edu.vn had a conversation with Tran Dieu Linh – the author of the thesis – immediately after the defense.
ButHi Linh, could you share a little bit about the topic you're working on?- My topic is "The Role of Japanese Kouminkan as Social Educational Institutions." Kouminkan is equivalent to a cultural center in Vietnam. A Kouminkan is a place that organizes voluntary social educational activities, serving the local community with functions including education, culture and arts, sports, and group activities… I compared Kouminkan to the Youth Cultural Center in Vietnam.
How long did it take you to complete this project?- I completed my research project over a period of two years, one year in Japan and one year in Vietnam. I was in Japan from April 2008 to March 2009 on a full scholarship from the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
Tran Dieu Linh is a student with a very high level of independent work ability and a passion for her chosen topic. The topic Linh chose is a novel one, not yet explored by anyone, and the preparation process was long and meticulous. Regarding the content of the report, I only reviewed and helped Linh correct minor errors in presentation and logic; I did not interfere with the rest of the content. The thesis is equivalent to some Master's and Doctoral theses.
— Dr. Phan Hai Linh, Supervising Lecturer
My research project was conducted both in Japan and Vietnam. While in Japan, I had to go on field trips to conduct interviews and investigations in many different locations. Traveling far, unfamiliar with the Japanese weather, and facing cultural differences made interviews very difficult. My Japanese wasn't very good at the time; I often said things people didn't understand, so I didn't gather as much information as I'd hoped.
- Living alone in Japan must be quite challenging, right?- There were so many difficulties. Going to Japan was my first time away from home, and going abroad meant I had to be independent. At first, I was very nervous, but I had to try my best to overcome it for the sake of my studies. Japanese people aren't as warm and welcoming as people back home, or maybe it's just that I wasn't used to it. When I first arrived, my Japanese wasn't very good, so I found it difficult to live and communicate, but now it's okay. The food in Japan was also unfamiliar to me; I wasn't used to it at first, but after a while, I overcame that.
- What is your most memorable happy experience while living in Japan?"Oh, a funny memory! When I first arrived, I got lost on the subway a few times. Those times I got lost and came home late, and my friends asked me what was wrong, and I was so flustered I didn't know how to answer."
Student Tran Dieu Linh has demonstrated a strong passion for the topic. The thesis topic is unique and meticulously crafted. I highly appreciate the author's conscientious preparation during her studies in Japan. In my opinion, Tran Dieu Linh's graduation thesis deserves to be a reliable reference document for the field of Japanese studies.
— MSc. Pham Hoang Hung, Reviewing LecturerMy future plans include pursuing a master's degree in my current field and doing some things I wanted to do but didn't get a chance to while I was still in school.
- Do you have any experience or anything you'd like to share with the students in the following year, who will also be working on their graduation theses like you?- ?
Please try your best and don't be discouraged when you encounter difficulties. With effort, success is inevitable. Good luck!
- And what about your teachers and friends before you graduate?I would like to express my gratitude to my classmates in the K51 Japanese Studies class, the professors in the department, and especially my supervisor, Dr. Phan Hai Linh, for their dedicated guidance in helping me complete my graduation report in the best possible way. Professor Pham Hoang Hung provided excellent and practical feedback, helping me identify shortcomings and make timely corrections. I also want to thank my family for their support and for being by my side throughout this time.
Thank you. I wish you success on your chosen path!
