hinuyenthihue111
Oct 4, 2025
Undergraduate / Before humans die - (GKS_U) 2026 Media essay [2]
Hi! Thank you for creating such a helpful website. I am currently applying for the 100% scholarship from the Korean government. I sincerely hope to receive advice from you, no matter what it may be. I am open and willing to listen to all contributions and even criticism. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this. I wish you good health, success in life, and happiness with your family.
____
About me:
My name: Hue (Lily).
Country: Vietnam.
Apply through: Embassy Track, only 1 quota for the whole country this year.
____
Because it's really competitive, I appreciate every comments. I would like to learn from you all. And since my essay has become too lengthy, I am very open to any suggestions on what to shorten. My teacher also mentioned that I tend to write in a wordy style, but I am still unsure exactly where to make revisions. I truly hope to learn from the wisdom and guidance of others, and I deeply appreciate any insights that can help me improve.
____
Essay:
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Before humans die, many scientists believe that our brain replays the most important moments of life in 7 minutes. I often wonder: "What will my seven minutes be like?"
Only I can truly know the answer. But for now, let me show you a version of it - as if seen through a camera lens, full of color and memory.
[Motivation]:
The camera starts. 3...2...1 (Action!). I freeze. Actually, what is considered important enough for me to include in those short 7 minutes? Suddenly, the image of a small house appears - with a bright red roof. Hanging on a pole is the red flag with a yellow star of Vietnam, fluttering in the wind. Mixed in with the hazy smoke that blurs the lens, I also smell the scent of cooked rice wafting from the pot. That reminds me of the roots of Vietnam - a diligent, hardworking, agricultural country. The days when spring flowers bloom always bring back memories of the festivals in my hometown. I recall the palanquin procession and the incense offering in remembrance of the Village God. The sound of drums echoes in my mind, while the dragon dance winds its way through the village. Since moving to Hanoi for my first year of study, I've suddenly realized that the moments I once considered normal and familiar are now only memories - like scenes in a "7-minute short film." My first year was filled with lectures in vast, crowded halls, and quiet evenings spent tutoring English. On weekends, I would find myself stepping onto a bus, the engine rumbling to life as the wheels rolled away from Hanoi. The cityscape blurred behind me as I headed to competitions, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work in provinces far from the familiar streets of my campus.
The long bus rides, where the world outside seemed to move in slow motion, became my time to reflect and recharge. In that fast-paced cycle, the core values of Vietnamese family and village culture only reappeared through memory.
I had already wanted to study Communication since high school, because I believed in the power of media to preserve and spread culture. But only after leaving home did I truly feel how real and personal that mission is to me. I don't want those values to fade or depend only on memory.
Only media - through footage, videos, and lines of journalism - can become a sustainable way to preserve and share them. It can be said that this deepening understanding has strengthened my wish to pursue Communication - not just as a subject, but as a way to protect what matters most.
As I grew up, a part of me was shaped by Korean culture, thanks to the influence of the Hallyu wave (K-wave). Once I started to appreciate the value of Communication, I became curious about how it could create influence. Korea did not launch a global cultural campaign, but Korean culture gradually became a part of everyday life. Because of this, it is easier to remember, absorb, and spread. For example, when a parcel is handed over to a person, the tape on it isn't just ordinary; it's covered with information about a missing person. The tape catches your eye as you hold the parcel, making it hard to ignore. This method works much better than leaflets because parcels are part of daily life. This is also how Korean culture and communication work: be a part of everyday life, making an impact without being forced. This experience inspired me to pursue communication studies in Korea, where I can learn these unique approaches firsthand. I want to understand how they work in practice, so I can later use them to share and promote both Vietnamese and Korean cultures, strengthening the bond between our two nations.
At first, I wondered whether cultural differences would be a barrier to applying the communication skills I would learn abroad in Vietnam.
To answer this, I explored a study by Yonsei University professor Young Min Baek and Ms. Hye Min Kim titled "Cultural Distance and Foreign Drama Enjoyment: Perceived Novelty and Identification with Characters."
As I read through the research, I realized that the unique differences between national cultures (exoticism) aren't obstacles but sparks for curiosity and empathy. This insight convinced me that studying in Korea will equip me with the tools to create media content that resonates across cultures. In particular, I am interested in three universities: Yonsei, ChungAng, and Dongseo. I want to study at Yonsei University because of the combination of communication research and practical application, helping students not only learn how to "do communication" but also deeply understand the social impact of communication. Meanwhile, ChungAng and Dongseo Universities offer me the opportunity to practice early, participate in many projects, and directly contribute to Korean industries or support Korean enterprises. From this, I will gain more practical experience to later serve my research on the impact of communication.
[Educational background]
Looking back, I realize that the foundations and skills related to Communication have shaped me, though I only truly recognize them now. In the next moments of the "7 minutes of life", a faint scent of old paper wafts through the air. My childhood was intertwined with books, which my father and sisters carefully preserved on the high bookshelf that I had to climb onto a chair to reach. Back then, I could spend hours lost in books, and the pages my small fingers turned were marked with dense pen strokes - thoughts and reflections on what I had just read. Because of that, every book that passed through my hands was never in pristine condition. But my father always encouraged me to keep writing, saying, "You learn the most from a wrinkled book." Over time, this became a habit; I could hardly sleep if I hadn't read at least one page of a book. From this, I gradually developed my ability to critique, analyze, and imagine creatively - skills that helped me win many literature awards during middle school. I also realized that I grasped social subjects more easily, while I had to put in much more effort to maintain my achievements in Math. For me, starting something may never be perfect, but once I begin, I must give it my best.
In high school, I decided to focus more on English than Literature, while still maintaining the top position in my class. Although English was not my strength in middle school, I grew to love the language as I participated in more English competitions during high school. I believe that with any language, if I learn with purpose and expose myself to it gradually, I can discover the beauty of the culture behind it.
So, if I could start over with English, I know I can also start learning Korean to pursue my dream. When there's a purpose, all I need to do is immerse myself in Korean. I began with the Coursera course "First Step Korean" by Yonsei University professor Seung Hae Kang, earning perfect scores in all tests and finishing the course with 100%.
With each lecture slide, I didn't just take notes but also created flashcards for every word and grammar point I encountered in the videos. I kept "immersing" myself in both English and Korean, with podcast voices playing from my small phone as I went about my day - riding buses, living daily life, and even sleeping, letting my subconscious absorb the language.
I love the simplicity and clarity of Korean that King Sejong left for future generations. I remind myself that I'm not only learning a foreign language but also exploring a culture of hierarchy and social order. The beauty of Korean culture and its people can be felt through the language itself - simple yet harmonious and delicate. This is why the more I learn Korean, the more I fall in love with the language, the country, and its people.
[Significant experiences you have had (events)]
However, the next scenes of my life suddenly turned gray. My childhood was far from peaceful and smooth. Putting aside the traditional scenes and the vibrant village festivals that passed by in a blur, there was an image of a little girl, as if wrapped in an invisible soap bubble. That bubble was fragile, separating her from everyone else in the class.
It wasn't a passion for communication that made me outgoing and lively. In fact, since childhood, I had been an introvert - lost in books and with few friends. When the school bell rang for recess, the bubble around me only grew larger. While my classmates played in the yard, I stayed behind, nose buried in my books. It wasn't that I didn't want friends, but I had never dared to break through that "bubble" - my own comfort zone.
Then one day, I realized that it wasn't my classmates who had isolated me because I was a bookworm. I had isolated myself. I couldn't let myself grow up with only books in my head, without social skills, or even a single sincere friend. I had to break the "invisible bubble"!
From then on, my bedside was always scattered with crumpled Double A A4 papers. These weren't just pieces of paper; they were the beginnings of hundreds of scenarios I imagined - each one filled with sketches, notes, and ideas on how to start a conversation. I sketched out moments, created dialogues, and planned gestures and expressions, as if preparing for a play. From offering candy to lending books to classmates, every idea had a role to play in breaking the ice. But soon I realized, no matter how much I prepared, I would never feel fully ready. So, I decided to just do it.
My heart raced as I took slow, hesitant steps toward my classmate. Each step felt heavier, my breath quickening with the distance closing between us. When I finally reached her and asked, I held my breath, waiting for her response. In that moment, the beating of my heart seemed to stop, the silence stretching as I waited. And then, almost the entire class turned to look at me. My safe "bubble" was on the verge of bursting. Suddenly, a group of classmates rushed toward me, inviting me to join them in play. I stood there, frozen, my mind struggling to catch up with what was happening. It felt unreal, like I was watching it from a distance, unsure of how to respond. For a moment, everything seemed too good to be true...
I realized that everything I had limited myself to existed only within my own "safe bubble." It was as fragile as a soap bubble that children often blow, yet not everyone has the courage to break it and move forward.
Through that turning point in my life, I made a firm decision not to allow any bubble to form in my life. No matter how scared I was, as long as I could develop myself, I would do it scared. From that experience, I began to make good friends. But more than that, I overcame my own limits and gradually improved my communication skills. I now see communication as a truly magical power, one that allows us to connect valuable relationships and change the perception of an entire person. Therefore, everything I am today comes from effort - even the effort to find my own voice before raising it to influence my community and society.
[Extracurricular activities] and [Awards/ skills...]
In high school, I continuously pushed myself to prevent the "soap bubble" of my comfort zone from ever forming. But when Covid-19 hit, everything was thrown off course. Instead of just sitting back and accepting it, I saw this as an opportunity and asked to create the "English with Friends" (EWF) club, where we could practice speaking English over Zoom. Even so, I knew this wasn't enough for me to truly excel in English.
The extra classes were too expensive for me to afford, so I decided to put in extra effort. Every morning, when the light from my desk lamp shone across my notebook at 4:30 a.m, I was already at my desk, starting to study before my online class began at 7:30. I told myself I had to do more than others to keep up.
In the end, my hard work paid off with a score of 9.6/10 that semester. After the pandemic, when the English speech contest was held again, I found myself sitting nervously, waiting for the results to see who would represent the class. And then, the name "Nguyễn Thị Huệ" was called out. It echoed through the room, like a wave of relief and joy. In that moment, everything I had been through-the late-night Zoom sessions with friends, the early mornings studying when the sky was still dim, and all the effort and determination-flashed before my eyes.
Standing at the podium, with everyone's eyes on me, I realized the strength of the group far outweighed any individual effort. I called on my classmates to join in, knowing that together, we could achieve something far stronger than what any one of us could do alone. But getting people to join was just the first step. We still had to make a presentation video on environmental protection, along with a short performance and supporting model for the next two rounds. At first, we all worked together on the same process, each of us offering ideas and opinions. But the more we tried to come up with a plan, the more our egos got in the way. We stubbornly stuck to our own ideas, which caused progress to stall. I tried to encourage everyone, but nothing seemed to work.
Then, I realized that no one wanted to be ordered around, especially when they had volunteered in the first place. So, I decided to change my approach. Instead of keeping everyone involved in every aspect, I divided the tasks and let each person take ownership of a specific part of the project. We would then rehearse and combine everything together. This shift in strategy made a huge difference. People became more enthusiastic, and the project moved forward quickly. In the end, we won 2nd place in the whole grade, despite being only 10th graders.
More important than the award, though, was the lesson I learned: leadership isn't about giving orders-it's about sparking team spirit by listening to others and being willing to change strategies. This realization became the foundation for my passion for Communication, where the ability to lead and inspire others is more important than any individual idea.
Additionally, through these competitions, I became more and more passionate about raising my voice-not only to promote national culture but also to change young people's perceptions of social issues, like the environment and school violence. With this compass, I continued to participate in more speaking contests, further honing my public speaking skills. As I became more accustomed to it, the initial anxieties gradually gave way to the honor of raising my voice, knowing it would contribute to making the society I live in better.
Because of these experiences, I was even honored to be interviewed by Hanoi Television, bringing me one step closer to my dream of pursuing a career in communication.
However, no journey toward pursuing dreams is ever easy. My parents wanted me to study law and pursue a career in justice. Although I was already aware of GKS before the national high school exam, out of love and a sense of duty, I decided to honor their wish and entered Hanoi Law University, the most prestigious law school in Vietnam. Yet, my passion for communication never faded.
In university, my "safe bubble" once again became public speaking-an area where I had already participated in many contests. Determined to push my limits, I decided to challenge myself with debate competitions to acquire new skills. This decision led me to a new "scene": a luxurious waiting room, filled with the soft glow of chandeliers. Thanks to my tireless efforts in building a reputation in debate through various competitions, I was honored to be the youngest judge at the Vietnam International Public Forum Championship (VIPFC) English debate contest. There, I found myself conversing with British debate coach James, alongside brothers and sisters from Indonesia and the Philippines and also Ms. Hyewon, the Korean guidance teacher.
Through these interactions, I came to see cultural differences not as barriers, but as bridges of connection and opportunity. I believe that the ability to integrate easily with international friends and to build relationships is an essential skill for studying abroad. Especially in Communication, where collaboration is key to creating impactful projects.
During the international debate event, I also met Marta Minh, a young Vietnamese-Italian girl who had just lost. She was in tears, afraid of disappointing her mother. Her story reminded me of my own journey-growing up under my parents' expectations while holding onto my dream of studying abroad. I encouraged her by sharing my story, telling her that every loss could still be a stepping stone. To my surprise, my words moved her to tears of hope.
That moment showed me the true power of communication: not just to inform, but to transform the way someone sees themselves. Inspired by this, I finally launched the YouTube channel I had been too shy to start, determined to use my voice to reach and inspire others, especially Vietnamese youth.
If I had gone abroad to study at 18, I would have gone with nothing but my dreams and potential, ready to seize every opportunity. But after studying at Law school, I would go prepared to face challenges as well. I will not only learn from the opportunities that come my way but also from the challenges I encounter. I am ready to embrace a life of studying abroad that may be challenging and far from ideal, and to recognize that achieving my dream of studying abroad is not the end - it is also a "stepping stone" to continue pursuing my other ambitions. Because Hanoi Law University gave me a competitive and high-pressure environment that I got used to. It also taught me critical thinking, helping me develop an objective perspective, particularly when it comes to navigating fake news in the media. Moreover, my time at Law school deepened my understanding of justice, a value my father had introduced me to when I was 18. I learned the importance of integrity and courage in any profession, especially in Communication.
I believe that when I pray for something, God presents me with challenges to help me grow and achieve my goals. And just three days into my first class, I found myself facing one of those challenges - I broke my leg. Just as I was getting used to the new environment, my first days at university were now marked by two crutches, old school building staircases, and a shirt soaked in sweat as I struggled up to the third-floor classroom. But I felt stronger knowing that my family was silently supporting me and that new friends were there to help along the way. Especially when I thought about preparing for life on my own in Korea, the challenges of those crutches didn't seem so tough. I became more excited and determined to continue, making my way to class every day for an entire month.
Leaving behind the crutches, I continued to travel by bus to participate in contests, using the money I earned from tutoring. Driven by my dream of spreading Vietnamese culture through Communication, I took advantage of my Law studies to continue pursuing this goal. In The Court's Olympic 2025 at Vietnam Court Academy, I presented Vietnam's cultural heritage law in the style of a news bulletin, while also participating in the UN Simulation component of the competition, both of which required me to articulate complex legal concepts and present cultural understanding in a foreign language - English. These experiences allowed me to further develop my public speaking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. What stood out even more was when I later discovered that the Vietnam Court Academy had once been funded by the Korean government through KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) for a renovation project. This connection deepened my belief in my destiny with Korea, especially when I knew that Vietnamese students now have access to more advanced educational opportunities thanks to this cooperation. In a truly remarkable coincidence, as part of the renovation project funded by the Korean government, KOICA also visited my university, Hanoi Law University, to explore the implementation of a digital library. This event not only strengthened my gratitude for the Korean government's support and the friendship between our two countries, but also reinforced my desire to pursue my studies in Korea. The advanced educational opportunities there, particularly in Communication, will allow me to actively contribute to the exchange of knowledge and culture between the two countries. By sharing Vietnam's cultural heritage and perspectives through media and communication, I hope to foster deeper understanding and collaboration in a global context.
I missed the chance to pursue my dream with GKS once, but I cannot let it slip away again. So, I decided to take a gap year and took action to fulfill what I have always cherished. I believe that the months of preparation for the national high school exam and the year I spent at Law University were not wasted. Instead, they laid the foundation for building my perseverance and endurance in a high-pressure environment.
Perhaps my parents still don't fully agree, but this time, I will persuade them through my actions, not just words like before. I truly believe that only by doing what I am passionate about can I pursue it for a lifetime. And what I am passionate about is using my voice to create Communication products, to change the way young people perceive social issues (especially environmental protection and school violence), and to promote the Vietnamese-Korean culture and the strong friendship between our two nations!
(3...2...1) The lens blurs, and my breath gradually lightens in the final moments. Perhaps those 7 minutes feel like this! But truly, no one can ever know exactly what those 7 minutes are like until they are truly facing the end. However, I am determined that, when I look back, those 7 minutes will be defined by my decision to study Communication in Korea and create impactful Communication products that promote culture, society, and strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
The final voice of the movie echoes the words my father always told me: "Helping as many people as possible is the greatest justice I want you to achieve in life."
And one day, when I hold the letter of invitation from NIIED in my hands, I will tell him,
"Dad, I will help citizens, not just in Vietnam."
"Because my justice is through media."
If Korea and Vietnam want to solve their pressing social issues - school bullying, mental health, public trust in policy - it needs not only technology, but communicators who can bridge law, media, and people. I aim to be that communicator!
Thank you for reading and considering giving me this opportunity.
_End_
Hi! Thank you for creating such a helpful website. I am currently applying for the 100% scholarship from the Korean government. I sincerely hope to receive advice from you, no matter what it may be. I am open and willing to listen to all contributions and even criticism. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this. I wish you good health, success in life, and happiness with your family.
____
About me:
My name: Hue (Lily).
Country: Vietnam.
Apply through: Embassy Track, only 1 quota for the whole country this year.
____
Because it's really competitive, I appreciate every comments. I would like to learn from you all. And since my essay has become too lengthy, I am very open to any suggestions on what to shorten. My teacher also mentioned that I tend to write in a wordy style, but I am still unsure exactly where to make revisions. I truly hope to learn from the wisdom and guidance of others, and I deeply appreciate any insights that can help me improve.
____
Essay:
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Before humans die, many scientists believe that our brain replays the most important moments of life in 7 minutes. I often wonder: "What will my seven minutes be like?"
Only I can truly know the answer. But for now, let me show you a version of it - as if seen through a camera lens, full of color and memory.
[Motivation]:
The camera starts. 3...2...1 (Action!). I freeze. Actually, what is considered important enough for me to include in those short 7 minutes? Suddenly, the image of a small house appears - with a bright red roof. Hanging on a pole is the red flag with a yellow star of Vietnam, fluttering in the wind. Mixed in with the hazy smoke that blurs the lens, I also smell the scent of cooked rice wafting from the pot. That reminds me of the roots of Vietnam - a diligent, hardworking, agricultural country. The days when spring flowers bloom always bring back memories of the festivals in my hometown. I recall the palanquin procession and the incense offering in remembrance of the Village God. The sound of drums echoes in my mind, while the dragon dance winds its way through the village. Since moving to Hanoi for my first year of study, I've suddenly realized that the moments I once considered normal and familiar are now only memories - like scenes in a "7-minute short film." My first year was filled with lectures in vast, crowded halls, and quiet evenings spent tutoring English. On weekends, I would find myself stepping onto a bus, the engine rumbling to life as the wheels rolled away from Hanoi. The cityscape blurred behind me as I headed to competitions, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work in provinces far from the familiar streets of my campus.
The long bus rides, where the world outside seemed to move in slow motion, became my time to reflect and recharge. In that fast-paced cycle, the core values of Vietnamese family and village culture only reappeared through memory.
I had already wanted to study Communication since high school, because I believed in the power of media to preserve and spread culture. But only after leaving home did I truly feel how real and personal that mission is to me. I don't want those values to fade or depend only on memory.
Only media - through footage, videos, and lines of journalism - can become a sustainable way to preserve and share them. It can be said that this deepening understanding has strengthened my wish to pursue Communication - not just as a subject, but as a way to protect what matters most.
As I grew up, a part of me was shaped by Korean culture, thanks to the influence of the Hallyu wave (K-wave). Once I started to appreciate the value of Communication, I became curious about how it could create influence. Korea did not launch a global cultural campaign, but Korean culture gradually became a part of everyday life. Because of this, it is easier to remember, absorb, and spread. For example, when a parcel is handed over to a person, the tape on it isn't just ordinary; it's covered with information about a missing person. The tape catches your eye as you hold the parcel, making it hard to ignore. This method works much better than leaflets because parcels are part of daily life. This is also how Korean culture and communication work: be a part of everyday life, making an impact without being forced. This experience inspired me to pursue communication studies in Korea, where I can learn these unique approaches firsthand. I want to understand how they work in practice, so I can later use them to share and promote both Vietnamese and Korean cultures, strengthening the bond between our two nations.
At first, I wondered whether cultural differences would be a barrier to applying the communication skills I would learn abroad in Vietnam.
To answer this, I explored a study by Yonsei University professor Young Min Baek and Ms. Hye Min Kim titled "Cultural Distance and Foreign Drama Enjoyment: Perceived Novelty and Identification with Characters."
As I read through the research, I realized that the unique differences between national cultures (exoticism) aren't obstacles but sparks for curiosity and empathy. This insight convinced me that studying in Korea will equip me with the tools to create media content that resonates across cultures. In particular, I am interested in three universities: Yonsei, ChungAng, and Dongseo. I want to study at Yonsei University because of the combination of communication research and practical application, helping students not only learn how to "do communication" but also deeply understand the social impact of communication. Meanwhile, ChungAng and Dongseo Universities offer me the opportunity to practice early, participate in many projects, and directly contribute to Korean industries or support Korean enterprises. From this, I will gain more practical experience to later serve my research on the impact of communication.
[Educational background]
Looking back, I realize that the foundations and skills related to Communication have shaped me, though I only truly recognize them now. In the next moments of the "7 minutes of life", a faint scent of old paper wafts through the air. My childhood was intertwined with books, which my father and sisters carefully preserved on the high bookshelf that I had to climb onto a chair to reach. Back then, I could spend hours lost in books, and the pages my small fingers turned were marked with dense pen strokes - thoughts and reflections on what I had just read. Because of that, every book that passed through my hands was never in pristine condition. But my father always encouraged me to keep writing, saying, "You learn the most from a wrinkled book." Over time, this became a habit; I could hardly sleep if I hadn't read at least one page of a book. From this, I gradually developed my ability to critique, analyze, and imagine creatively - skills that helped me win many literature awards during middle school. I also realized that I grasped social subjects more easily, while I had to put in much more effort to maintain my achievements in Math. For me, starting something may never be perfect, but once I begin, I must give it my best.
In high school, I decided to focus more on English than Literature, while still maintaining the top position in my class. Although English was not my strength in middle school, I grew to love the language as I participated in more English competitions during high school. I believe that with any language, if I learn with purpose and expose myself to it gradually, I can discover the beauty of the culture behind it.
So, if I could start over with English, I know I can also start learning Korean to pursue my dream. When there's a purpose, all I need to do is immerse myself in Korean. I began with the Coursera course "First Step Korean" by Yonsei University professor Seung Hae Kang, earning perfect scores in all tests and finishing the course with 100%.
With each lecture slide, I didn't just take notes but also created flashcards for every word and grammar point I encountered in the videos. I kept "immersing" myself in both English and Korean, with podcast voices playing from my small phone as I went about my day - riding buses, living daily life, and even sleeping, letting my subconscious absorb the language.
I love the simplicity and clarity of Korean that King Sejong left for future generations. I remind myself that I'm not only learning a foreign language but also exploring a culture of hierarchy and social order. The beauty of Korean culture and its people can be felt through the language itself - simple yet harmonious and delicate. This is why the more I learn Korean, the more I fall in love with the language, the country, and its people.
[Significant experiences you have had (events)]
However, the next scenes of my life suddenly turned gray. My childhood was far from peaceful and smooth. Putting aside the traditional scenes and the vibrant village festivals that passed by in a blur, there was an image of a little girl, as if wrapped in an invisible soap bubble. That bubble was fragile, separating her from everyone else in the class.
It wasn't a passion for communication that made me outgoing and lively. In fact, since childhood, I had been an introvert - lost in books and with few friends. When the school bell rang for recess, the bubble around me only grew larger. While my classmates played in the yard, I stayed behind, nose buried in my books. It wasn't that I didn't want friends, but I had never dared to break through that "bubble" - my own comfort zone.
Then one day, I realized that it wasn't my classmates who had isolated me because I was a bookworm. I had isolated myself. I couldn't let myself grow up with only books in my head, without social skills, or even a single sincere friend. I had to break the "invisible bubble"!
From then on, my bedside was always scattered with crumpled Double A A4 papers. These weren't just pieces of paper; they were the beginnings of hundreds of scenarios I imagined - each one filled with sketches, notes, and ideas on how to start a conversation. I sketched out moments, created dialogues, and planned gestures and expressions, as if preparing for a play. From offering candy to lending books to classmates, every idea had a role to play in breaking the ice. But soon I realized, no matter how much I prepared, I would never feel fully ready. So, I decided to just do it.
My heart raced as I took slow, hesitant steps toward my classmate. Each step felt heavier, my breath quickening with the distance closing between us. When I finally reached her and asked, I held my breath, waiting for her response. In that moment, the beating of my heart seemed to stop, the silence stretching as I waited. And then, almost the entire class turned to look at me. My safe "bubble" was on the verge of bursting. Suddenly, a group of classmates rushed toward me, inviting me to join them in play. I stood there, frozen, my mind struggling to catch up with what was happening. It felt unreal, like I was watching it from a distance, unsure of how to respond. For a moment, everything seemed too good to be true...
I realized that everything I had limited myself to existed only within my own "safe bubble." It was as fragile as a soap bubble that children often blow, yet not everyone has the courage to break it and move forward.
Through that turning point in my life, I made a firm decision not to allow any bubble to form in my life. No matter how scared I was, as long as I could develop myself, I would do it scared. From that experience, I began to make good friends. But more than that, I overcame my own limits and gradually improved my communication skills. I now see communication as a truly magical power, one that allows us to connect valuable relationships and change the perception of an entire person. Therefore, everything I am today comes from effort - even the effort to find my own voice before raising it to influence my community and society.
[Extracurricular activities] and [Awards/ skills...]
In high school, I continuously pushed myself to prevent the "soap bubble" of my comfort zone from ever forming. But when Covid-19 hit, everything was thrown off course. Instead of just sitting back and accepting it, I saw this as an opportunity and asked to create the "English with Friends" (EWF) club, where we could practice speaking English over Zoom. Even so, I knew this wasn't enough for me to truly excel in English.
The extra classes were too expensive for me to afford, so I decided to put in extra effort. Every morning, when the light from my desk lamp shone across my notebook at 4:30 a.m, I was already at my desk, starting to study before my online class began at 7:30. I told myself I had to do more than others to keep up.
In the end, my hard work paid off with a score of 9.6/10 that semester. After the pandemic, when the English speech contest was held again, I found myself sitting nervously, waiting for the results to see who would represent the class. And then, the name "Nguyễn Thị Huệ" was called out. It echoed through the room, like a wave of relief and joy. In that moment, everything I had been through-the late-night Zoom sessions with friends, the early mornings studying when the sky was still dim, and all the effort and determination-flashed before my eyes.
Standing at the podium, with everyone's eyes on me, I realized the strength of the group far outweighed any individual effort. I called on my classmates to join in, knowing that together, we could achieve something far stronger than what any one of us could do alone. But getting people to join was just the first step. We still had to make a presentation video on environmental protection, along with a short performance and supporting model for the next two rounds. At first, we all worked together on the same process, each of us offering ideas and opinions. But the more we tried to come up with a plan, the more our egos got in the way. We stubbornly stuck to our own ideas, which caused progress to stall. I tried to encourage everyone, but nothing seemed to work.
Then, I realized that no one wanted to be ordered around, especially when they had volunteered in the first place. So, I decided to change my approach. Instead of keeping everyone involved in every aspect, I divided the tasks and let each person take ownership of a specific part of the project. We would then rehearse and combine everything together. This shift in strategy made a huge difference. People became more enthusiastic, and the project moved forward quickly. In the end, we won 2nd place in the whole grade, despite being only 10th graders.
More important than the award, though, was the lesson I learned: leadership isn't about giving orders-it's about sparking team spirit by listening to others and being willing to change strategies. This realization became the foundation for my passion for Communication, where the ability to lead and inspire others is more important than any individual idea.
Additionally, through these competitions, I became more and more passionate about raising my voice-not only to promote national culture but also to change young people's perceptions of social issues, like the environment and school violence. With this compass, I continued to participate in more speaking contests, further honing my public speaking skills. As I became more accustomed to it, the initial anxieties gradually gave way to the honor of raising my voice, knowing it would contribute to making the society I live in better.
Because of these experiences, I was even honored to be interviewed by Hanoi Television, bringing me one step closer to my dream of pursuing a career in communication.
However, no journey toward pursuing dreams is ever easy. My parents wanted me to study law and pursue a career in justice. Although I was already aware of GKS before the national high school exam, out of love and a sense of duty, I decided to honor their wish and entered Hanoi Law University, the most prestigious law school in Vietnam. Yet, my passion for communication never faded.
In university, my "safe bubble" once again became public speaking-an area where I had already participated in many contests. Determined to push my limits, I decided to challenge myself with debate competitions to acquire new skills. This decision led me to a new "scene": a luxurious waiting room, filled with the soft glow of chandeliers. Thanks to my tireless efforts in building a reputation in debate through various competitions, I was honored to be the youngest judge at the Vietnam International Public Forum Championship (VIPFC) English debate contest. There, I found myself conversing with British debate coach James, alongside brothers and sisters from Indonesia and the Philippines and also Ms. Hyewon, the Korean guidance teacher.
Through these interactions, I came to see cultural differences not as barriers, but as bridges of connection and opportunity. I believe that the ability to integrate easily with international friends and to build relationships is an essential skill for studying abroad. Especially in Communication, where collaboration is key to creating impactful projects.
During the international debate event, I also met Marta Minh, a young Vietnamese-Italian girl who had just lost. She was in tears, afraid of disappointing her mother. Her story reminded me of my own journey-growing up under my parents' expectations while holding onto my dream of studying abroad. I encouraged her by sharing my story, telling her that every loss could still be a stepping stone. To my surprise, my words moved her to tears of hope.
That moment showed me the true power of communication: not just to inform, but to transform the way someone sees themselves. Inspired by this, I finally launched the YouTube channel I had been too shy to start, determined to use my voice to reach and inspire others, especially Vietnamese youth.
If I had gone abroad to study at 18, I would have gone with nothing but my dreams and potential, ready to seize every opportunity. But after studying at Law school, I would go prepared to face challenges as well. I will not only learn from the opportunities that come my way but also from the challenges I encounter. I am ready to embrace a life of studying abroad that may be challenging and far from ideal, and to recognize that achieving my dream of studying abroad is not the end - it is also a "stepping stone" to continue pursuing my other ambitions. Because Hanoi Law University gave me a competitive and high-pressure environment that I got used to. It also taught me critical thinking, helping me develop an objective perspective, particularly when it comes to navigating fake news in the media. Moreover, my time at Law school deepened my understanding of justice, a value my father had introduced me to when I was 18. I learned the importance of integrity and courage in any profession, especially in Communication.
I believe that when I pray for something, God presents me with challenges to help me grow and achieve my goals. And just three days into my first class, I found myself facing one of those challenges - I broke my leg. Just as I was getting used to the new environment, my first days at university were now marked by two crutches, old school building staircases, and a shirt soaked in sweat as I struggled up to the third-floor classroom. But I felt stronger knowing that my family was silently supporting me and that new friends were there to help along the way. Especially when I thought about preparing for life on my own in Korea, the challenges of those crutches didn't seem so tough. I became more excited and determined to continue, making my way to class every day for an entire month.
Leaving behind the crutches, I continued to travel by bus to participate in contests, using the money I earned from tutoring. Driven by my dream of spreading Vietnamese culture through Communication, I took advantage of my Law studies to continue pursuing this goal. In The Court's Olympic 2025 at Vietnam Court Academy, I presented Vietnam's cultural heritage law in the style of a news bulletin, while also participating in the UN Simulation component of the competition, both of which required me to articulate complex legal concepts and present cultural understanding in a foreign language - English. These experiences allowed me to further develop my public speaking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. What stood out even more was when I later discovered that the Vietnam Court Academy had once been funded by the Korean government through KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) for a renovation project. This connection deepened my belief in my destiny with Korea, especially when I knew that Vietnamese students now have access to more advanced educational opportunities thanks to this cooperation. In a truly remarkable coincidence, as part of the renovation project funded by the Korean government, KOICA also visited my university, Hanoi Law University, to explore the implementation of a digital library. This event not only strengthened my gratitude for the Korean government's support and the friendship between our two countries, but also reinforced my desire to pursue my studies in Korea. The advanced educational opportunities there, particularly in Communication, will allow me to actively contribute to the exchange of knowledge and culture between the two countries. By sharing Vietnam's cultural heritage and perspectives through media and communication, I hope to foster deeper understanding and collaboration in a global context.
I missed the chance to pursue my dream with GKS once, but I cannot let it slip away again. So, I decided to take a gap year and took action to fulfill what I have always cherished. I believe that the months of preparation for the national high school exam and the year I spent at Law University were not wasted. Instead, they laid the foundation for building my perseverance and endurance in a high-pressure environment.
Perhaps my parents still don't fully agree, but this time, I will persuade them through my actions, not just words like before. I truly believe that only by doing what I am passionate about can I pursue it for a lifetime. And what I am passionate about is using my voice to create Communication products, to change the way young people perceive social issues (especially environmental protection and school violence), and to promote the Vietnamese-Korean culture and the strong friendship between our two nations!
(3...2...1) The lens blurs, and my breath gradually lightens in the final moments. Perhaps those 7 minutes feel like this! But truly, no one can ever know exactly what those 7 minutes are like until they are truly facing the end. However, I am determined that, when I look back, those 7 minutes will be defined by my decision to study Communication in Korea and create impactful Communication products that promote culture, society, and strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
The final voice of the movie echoes the words my father always told me: "Helping as many people as possible is the greatest justice I want you to achieve in life."
And one day, when I hold the letter of invitation from NIIED in my hands, I will tell him,
"Dad, I will help citizens, not just in Vietnam."
"Because my justice is through media."
If Korea and Vietnam want to solve their pressing social issues - school bullying, mental health, public trust in policy - it needs not only technology, but communicators who can bridge law, media, and people. I aim to be that communicator!
Thank you for reading and considering giving me this opportunity.
_End_
