btran0303
2 days ago
Letters / Letter of Motivation for Master of Sustainable Development at KU Leuven (Belgium) [2]
Some changes do not occur within a few days or months, but instead unfold quietly throughout the course of a person's growth.
I grew up as a child who loved the color green of trees and cared deeply for all kinds of animals, in a small neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City. When I was 5 years old, my summers were spent playing under large tree canopies and enjoying the first rains of the season. However, when I turned 10, my mother told me, "Rainwater is polluted now; you cannot play with it anymore." That moment of disappointment left a lasting mark on my childhood memories. When I could read, I immersed myself in books about animals with great fascination, until one day I came across news reports about the poaching of rhinos and other wildlife in Vietnam, which deeply saddened me. As academic pressures increased, I gradually stopped noticing the city around me, and when I finally looked back years later, the tree-lined streets of my childhood had been replaced by high-rise buildings. From these small emotional experiences in early years, my desire to protect nature and life gradually grew with me, and today it has become a clear aspiration-shaped by the awareness and knowledge I have gained as an adult. Over time, I began to understand that all of things that I concern is deeply intertwined with social systems, public policy, urban planning, and economic decision-making, which shaped my interest in approaching sustainability from a systemic and societal perspective. I aspire to contribute my intellect, skills, and dedication to this field, and pursuing the Master of Sustainable Development - Space & Society Track represents a highly valuable opportunity for me to fully equip myself for this journey.
Although I had been interested in environmental and animal protection from a very young age, it was not until high school that I was formally introduced to the fundamental concepts of sustainable development. Gradually, I became deeply engaged in this field, particularly in understanding the role of businesses and organizations in driving sustainable transitions. During my undergraduate studies and research, I had the opportunity to engage with those concepts from both academic and practical perspectives. Through the essays and research projects I completed, I came to understand more clearly that sustainability goals do not necessarily require a trade-off with economic efficiency; rather, when implemented effectively, they can become a long-term competitive advantage. With an academic background in business administration, I recognize that the corporate sector and non-governmental organizations play a crucial role in advancing sustainable development and can serve as catalysts for more balanced solutions, such as ESG-oriented strategic governance and socially driven initiatives through CSR, Strictly adhering to sustainability regulations and supporting animal conservation projects.
The Space & Society Track at KU Leuven provides me with a structured, interdisciplinary, and professional pathway to engage deeply with this domain. I believe that an international research environment such as KU Leuven can offer rigorous academic training and comprehensive learning opportunities, broaden my global perspective, and provide strong preparation for my future career. Moreover, Belgium is often regarded as the heart of Europe, hosting numerous headquarters of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, creating valuable opportunities for research, learning, and internships with international relevance. In addition, my interest was personally sparked by a Vietnamese content creator and KU Leuven alumnus whom I have followed since 2021; their authentic insights into the university's rigorous yet supportive academic environment deeply inspired me to pursue this path. I am eager to join this distinguished international community to refine my expertise and prepare for a meaningful career in Vietnam.
Regarding my future plans, in the early stage of my career, I aim to become a sustainability consultant/specialist for influential enterprises in Vietnam, while simultaneously developing my skills and professional network through engagement with non-governmental organizations. Over the next ten years, I hope to generate meaningful impact through sustainability initiatives that I design and implement within enterprises or relevant organizations, thereby contributing measurable value to Vietnam's sustainable development process.
Some changes do not occur within a few days or months, but instead unfold quietly throughout the course of a person's growth.
I grew up as a child who loved the color green of trees and cared deeply for all kinds of animals, in a small neighborhood in Ho Chi Minh City. When I was 5 years old, my summers were spent playing under large tree canopies and enjoying the first rains of the season. However, when I turned 10, my mother told me, "Rainwater is polluted now; you cannot play with it anymore." That moment of disappointment left a lasting mark on my childhood memories. When I could read, I immersed myself in books about animals with great fascination, until one day I came across news reports about the poaching of rhinos and other wildlife in Vietnam, which deeply saddened me. As academic pressures increased, I gradually stopped noticing the city around me, and when I finally looked back years later, the tree-lined streets of my childhood had been replaced by high-rise buildings. From these small emotional experiences in early years, my desire to protect nature and life gradually grew with me, and today it has become a clear aspiration-shaped by the awareness and knowledge I have gained as an adult. Over time, I began to understand that all of things that I concern is deeply intertwined with social systems, public policy, urban planning, and economic decision-making, which shaped my interest in approaching sustainability from a systemic and societal perspective. I aspire to contribute my intellect, skills, and dedication to this field, and pursuing the Master of Sustainable Development - Space & Society Track represents a highly valuable opportunity for me to fully equip myself for this journey.
Although I had been interested in environmental and animal protection from a very young age, it was not until high school that I was formally introduced to the fundamental concepts of sustainable development. Gradually, I became deeply engaged in this field, particularly in understanding the role of businesses and organizations in driving sustainable transitions. During my undergraduate studies and research, I had the opportunity to engage with those concepts from both academic and practical perspectives. Through the essays and research projects I completed, I came to understand more clearly that sustainability goals do not necessarily require a trade-off with economic efficiency; rather, when implemented effectively, they can become a long-term competitive advantage. With an academic background in business administration, I recognize that the corporate sector and non-governmental organizations play a crucial role in advancing sustainable development and can serve as catalysts for more balanced solutions, such as ESG-oriented strategic governance and socially driven initiatives through CSR, Strictly adhering to sustainability regulations and supporting animal conservation projects.
The Space & Society Track at KU Leuven provides me with a structured, interdisciplinary, and professional pathway to engage deeply with this domain. I believe that an international research environment such as KU Leuven can offer rigorous academic training and comprehensive learning opportunities, broaden my global perspective, and provide strong preparation for my future career. Moreover, Belgium is often regarded as the heart of Europe, hosting numerous headquarters of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, creating valuable opportunities for research, learning, and internships with international relevance. In addition, my interest was personally sparked by a Vietnamese content creator and KU Leuven alumnus whom I have followed since 2021; their authentic insights into the university's rigorous yet supportive academic environment deeply inspired me to pursue this path. I am eager to join this distinguished international community to refine my expertise and prepare for a meaningful career in Vietnam.
Regarding my future plans, in the early stage of my career, I aim to become a sustainability consultant/specialist for influential enterprises in Vietnam, while simultaneously developing my skills and professional network through engagement with non-governmental organizations. Over the next ten years, I hope to generate meaningful impact through sustainability initiatives that I design and implement within enterprises or relevant organizations, thereby contributing measurable value to Vietnam's sustainable development process.
