A Vietnamese student always look forward
24 Sep 2010
Tan Minh Vu (19) hails from Vietnam and is studying HEBO, or European Studies. She discovered The Hague University (THU) at a fair for Dutch universities. The representative at the THU stand was so helpful and inspiring that she convinced Vu Minh to come to the Netherlands at the age of 17. Vu Minh and the representative are now friends and she hasn’t looked back since.
Master of all trades
When Vu Minh first looked at the programme for European Studies, she was unsure exactly what it was all about. She knew she wanted to be doing business but not sure in what area. It was precisely the broad nature of the programme that appealed to her.
“It seems strange now that I was in doubt, as I am being trained in so many different areas and the most valuable result is that I can deal with diversity. I can work alone. I can work in a group. I can do my research with books and other media. I can present my ideas professionally in front of people. There is also the fact that, having chosen French as my foreign language, I am confident in an international environment speaking in English and in French.”
Freedom of choiceIn the European Studies programme students are free to decide the direction they want their studies to take. Vu Minh: “The thing I like most about this programme is my ability to study what I wish, and I am free to choose the direction of things. For example, this semester, I have decided to stay here instead of going on an exchange. And I have chosen to do my minor in television news production as part of H/TV the university’s very own internal news programme. I am very proud when people look at me and ask “Are you working for H/TV?”
International orientation
As the name suggests, the programme has an international orientation, teaching the participants about the European Union, its culture and how to deal with diversity. Vu Minh: “The content of the programme is quite internationally-oriented and the many nationalities of the participants has taught me loads about how to deal with people and their different opinions. It is important that, in class, groups are spread out so that we can make the most of the diversity present in the class. It is all too easy for nationalities to stick together for comfort’s sake. When we are all mixed up together, that’s when we learn the most.”
Looking aheadVu is not entirely sure yet what she wants to do with her career, although she suspects it will be related to marketing. When she completes her bachelor’s Vu intends to take a year or so off to gain some work experience. Then she’ll be looking to take a master’s and head back to Vietnam to work.
Last words
For someone so young, Vu Minh has a wise head on her shoulders – possibly the result of dealing with so many subjects and impressions? “When I first came here, I was just 17. My friends called me a little chicken – small and naive. True enough, I did not know much about the world. Now that I have been here for some time, I am trying to learn as much as I can and doing as many activities as possible to enjoy life. When you enter a new environment, hesitation will trap you. The most important thing is to express yourself and to make the whole experience an experiment. It is worth it.”
Source: The Hague University