I was born and raised in Lang Son, where most people work the land, growing anise or taking jobs as laborers in the industrial zones. My childhood was tied to the fields and the anise trees. I followed my mother out to work from the time I was little, picking corn and harvesting anise, so I understand very well how hard that work is and how much my mother has carried. That is what always makes me want to study harder, go further, and have more opportunities to change my life.

My father passed away early, so my mother supported the whole family alone on a farmer's income. Money shaped every decision about my schooling. When I took the high school entrance exam, she wouldn't let me apply to the provincial specialized school because she was worried about the cost. When university came, she wanted me to work for a company, as most students in my hometown did, or at least to choose education or security, so that tuition would be lower. The neighbors told me the same thing: that I should stay home, help my mother, and not go to school anymore. I had wanted to study business at NEU, but my family couldn't afford it, so I chose Chinese, which was popular at the time and offered more opportunities. After a lot of discussion, my mother finally agreed to let me go.

I convinced her by promising it would cost her almost nothing. I had read the university's regulations and found that my family was eligible for a tuition reduction, so I told her the fees would be waived, that I would work part-time, and that I would only ask for minimal support. Then I enrolled and learned that the reduction was only partial. I still owed over 10 million VND.

I didn't know how to tell her. My part-time job was in service and barely covered my living expenses. I also didn't have a laptop, so I struggled with group work and felt like I couldn't keep up with my classmates. I began seriously considering deferring for a year to work, then retaking the entrance exam. When I finally called my mother to tell her about the tuition and my plan to defer, she told me to keep studying. That year, the harvest was good, so she paid the fees herself and told me to study hard.

I also have an aunt who is like a second mother to me. She helped me persuade my mother, supported me financially, and took me to Hanoi to enroll. My uncle encouraged me to continue, too, and when I was thinking about deferring, what I feared most was that he would find out and be disappointed. I didn't want to let down the people who had trusted me, so I stayed.

In November 2024, I received notification that I had been awarded the SAS scholarship. I was truly happy and surprised. Tuition was still a heavy burden on my family, so it was not just financial support; it was a very big and timely gift. Beyond the money, SAS gave me seniors and peers who shared their experiences and encouraged me. I used to feel insecure because of my circumstances, and now I feel confident enough to join more activities, speak up more, and connect with people. My results have improved, and I have learned to balance work and study. These may be small things, but to me they are meaningful changes.

Now I want to give something back. I have joined volunteer activities at school, donating blood and organizing Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations for disabled and underprivileged children, and I hope to do more with SAS. If I have the opportunity in the future, I want to become someone like the people here, helping those who are struggling the way I once did.

To students facing the same difficulties I faced: just keep going, and you'll get there. Every dream requires effort and sacrifice, and no choice is right or wrong from the start. What matters is whether you put in enough effort afterward to make it the right one. Difficulties are necessary too, because without them it's hard to grow. So if you're tired, it's okay to rest for a while, but don't stop. Slow down, but keep going.

Hoang Phuong Thao
3rd Year Chinese Language and Culture Student, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
SAS Scholarship Recipient