Before even finishing her four years of university, which included more than two years affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, this young woman born in 2001 had already traveled to four countries through student exchange programs. She also studied at two universities simultaneously, won numerous scientific research awards, and received nearly 10 scholarships of various kinds.
According to Chau Giang, registering for extracurricular activities requires considering each person's strengths and weaknesses. Extracurricular activities during university life are also a great opportunity for young people to meet and connect with talented individuals who share similar goals and interests.

Nguyen Ha Chau Giang - a final-year student at Hanoi National University.
Chau Giang is a Public Relations student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. This major has consistently been among the top-scoring majors at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi in recent years. Specifically, in 2022, the major required 29.95/30 points in the C00 exam block. According to her, choosing a popular major with a high entrance score ensures a favorable environment for development because she can meet many incredibly talented and unique classmates.
She also believes that this field of study suits her extroverted personality, her love of interacting with people, and her desire to explore the world. The knowledge and experiences gained from her studies have boosted her confidence, improved her communication skills, and enhanced her public speaking abilities. She has also gained a better understanding of how to construct stories and messages, and effectively convey those messages through concrete actions. This is a significant advantage when applying for extracurricular activities.
Sharing with the Vietnamese Student section of Tien Phong newspaper, Chau Giang said that her trip to China in 2019 and her trip to Japan, which just ended in March 2023, are her two most unforgettable memories. The trip to China was her first overseas program and also the longest exchange program. At that time, she had just finished her university exams and was away from her family for almost two months, so she was still like a "baby," receiving a lot of care, guidance, and advice from the seniors in the group. This trip also changed her the most, helping her become more confident, bolder, and understand what she likes, what she wants, and what kind of person she wants to become in the future.
Her trip to Japan earlier this year demanded a professional and polished image because she participated as a Vietnamese delegate, representing the young generation of Vietnam stepping out into the world. Meetings with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leaders from the ASEAN region required her to maintain a serious demeanor and high level of concentration.
"The greatest joy is having people trust in my abilities and seeing the team's results praised and highly appreciated by international friends. This trip is a recognition of my continuous learning process and personal growth," she shared.
On each trip, the connection, sharing, affection, and memories with everyone are what she cherishes most. Many people on the group have become incredibly close and trustworthy friends, brothers, and sisters to her. For her, sincerity and openness are the foundation for building good and lasting relationships after each trip.

Chau Giang (in yellow shirt) with students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities at the ASEAN+3 Youth Camp Thailand 2022.

The Vietnamese delegation and their friends at the Thai Palace.

The JENESYS Vietnam delegation presented a gift to Mr. Takamizu Hidero, Director of the Regional Policy Division, Asia and Oceania Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Chau Giang (second from the right) participating in a group activity with ASEAN and Japanese colleagues within the framework of JENESYS 2022.
Chau Giang is a former student of the Literature specialized class at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students. Among the countless clubs and extracurricular activities at this renowned school, she chose to participate in sports and arts-related activities to improve her health and creativity. When she went to university, she shifted her focus, choosing to participate in cultural exchange and academic programs that require more specialized knowledge and diverse skills.
In her view, participation in extracurricular activities should first and foremost stem from one's own interests and passions. Secondly, to choose suitable activities, one needs to identify their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Chau Giang recognizes that she has good language and communication skills, an outgoing personality, and adapts easily to her surroundings. Therefore, she is well-suited to activities involving multicultural interaction and requiring quick adaptation. However, she also feels that she lacks discipline and is not good at planning. Therefore, these exchange programs can help her develop and overcome these weaknesses, as she represents not only herself but also the face of her organization or the nation.
She also enjoys extracurricular activities in challenging environments, offering opportunities for growth and expanding her network. These activities might require new skills or knowledge she's never encountered before, allowing her to mature through each experience.
"You should always put the people first, because participating in extracurricular activities will give you the opportunity to meet, connect with, and interact with talented people who share your interests and goals. This will then serve as a foundation for connecting, learning, and expanding your own network," she said.
Chau Giang recently defended her graduation thesis in Public Relations and is expected to graduate from both universities this summer. Looking back on her four years of university, she is proud to have fully enjoyed every moment of her student life, a period in which she believes she accomplished the most.
Through the Vietnamese Student section of Tien Phong newspaper, she offered advice to young people who want to apply for extracurricular programs: “Study foreign languages diligently so you can apply for international programs. Be humble because there are always many people around you who are more talented and successful than you. Continuously learn from those around you and from your own failures. Finally, don't be afraid to ask questions, because that's the fastest way to find the answers you're looking for.”

Chau Giang on the day of her graduation thesis defense in Public Relations at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Study:
Excellent GPA scores: Public Relations: 3.79/4.0; English Language: 3.69/4.0
Seven scholarship programs funded by the government for students with outstanding academic achievements.
Received awards twice for students with the highest academic achievements in the school, in the 2021-2022 and 2019-2020 academic years.
Received the POSCO Scholarship twice for outstanding academic achievement, in the 2020-2021 and 2019-2020 academic years.
He won second prize twice in the University-level Student Scientific Research Competition, in the academic years 2020-2021 and 2019-2020.
He won second prize twice in the Institute-level Student Scientific Research Competition, in the academic years 2020-2021 and 2019-2020.
Extracurricular activities:
Vietnam's representative at the Japan-East Asia Youth Exchange Program (JENESYS) 2022
Vietnam's representative at the AJAFA-21 youth camp in Malaysia in 2022
Representatives from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, at the ASEAN+3 Youth Camp in Thailand in 2022.
Representatives from Vietnam National University, Hanoi at the Youth Consultant Workshop organized by the ASEAN University Network (AUN), 2021.
Vietnam's representative at the Southeast Asia-Japan Youth Ship Program (SSEAYP) in 2020
Outstanding individual at the grassroots level, academic year 2019-2020
Author:Trinh Vu Lam Trang
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