"The HUST Spirit" in German Falcuty

Having spent two years attached to Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), young German lecturer Saskia Moritz has become familiar with every road, building, and corridor within the green campus of HUST. Although everything has become close to her heart, Saskia's eyes still sparkle with the joy and excitement of someone always finding interesting things to discover at this nearly 70-year-old university.

The Journey to Becoming Acquainted with a Second Family

To confidently stand on the HUST podium, Ms. Saskia Moritz holds two Master's degrees in German Linguistics from Leipzig University and the University of Languages and International Studies - Vietnam National University, Hanoi (ULIS-VNU).

Ms. Saskia "found her fate" with HUST through an internship while studying at ULIS-VNU. Working in a professional environment with a strong German community at HUST, she felt she was "in her element," so she decided to apply for a lecturer position at the Center for Languages and Academic Exchange, Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
  Here, she participates in organizing and co-organizing professional development workshops to improve the quality of German teaching at the Center; simultaneously creating exchange opportunities for German teachers at HUST to connect with colleagues from Leipzig University, Germany, other German teaching institutions in Hanoi, as well as Vietnamese universities.

After two years of familiarizing herself and developing her career at HUST, Ms. Saskia realizes she has matured, become more confident, and is ready to take on new challenges and responsibilities. According to the German teacher, working at HUST helps her both enhance her teaching skills and build and expand relationships with elite colleagues and talented HUST students.

Lecturer Saskia truly enjoys the positive energy from the teachers at the Center. She exclaimed in admiration: "They are very dedicated, hardworking, and passionate about their work. We often call each other 'comrade' because we share a common direction: Wholehearted dedication to Hanoi University of Science and Technology!"

Ms. Saskia Moritz is particularly impressed with lecturer Nguyen Phuong Nhung—a person with the ability to convey information engagingly and who always knows how to "ignite" the students' learning spirit. In Ms. Nhung's classes, the atmosphere is always lively, full of energy, with no room for boredom or silence. The German lecturer complimented: "Ms. Nhung is wonderful at knowing how to lead the class, spark interest, and make students excited to raise their hands, speak, and share opinions."

Getting all students to focus and listen to a lecture is noteasy, yet HUST lecturers manage to do it! Practical, visual teaching methods interwoven with interesting games are Ms. Nhung's secret to "retaining" students.

Ms. Saskia recounted: Ms. Nhung always supports foreign lecturers. For Saskia personally, her Vietnamese colleague Nguyen Phuong Nhung provided useful feedback helping her improve day by day. When Ms. Saskia faced difficulties in communicating with students, Ms. Nhung would offer sincere advice to timely untangle the issues. Furthermore, in daily life, Ms. Nhung frequently checks in on and shares with Ms. Saskia like a close older sister caring for a younger sister in a country tens of thousands of kilometers away from her hometown.

The dedication to education and willingness to help colleagues of HUST people deeply moved and impressed the German teacher. She felt the healthy working environment, the sharing, and the warm love surrounding her. The caring actions of Vietnamese lecturers warmed Saskia's soul, helping her feel secure in her work and consider HUST her second family.

A German Teacher with Deep "HUST Spirit"

The more she bonds with HUST, the deeper the passion and enthusiasm for the profession grows in Ms. Saskia. She is excited about every lesson and extracurricular activity, as well as coordinating standardized international exams like TestAS and TestDaF for students at the Center. She devotes her heart to every task, preparing lectures meticulously and carefully. For her, being meticulous in even the smallest action is a way to show love and respect for her profession.

As a foreign lecturer who has experienced diverse educational systems, Ms. Saskia believes that the teaching and learning culture at HUST is very dynamic, focusing strongly on creativity, innovation, and frequently applying knowledge to practice. This method helps students indirectly experience the labor market while still sitting in the lecture hall. According to Ms. Saskia, the elite faculty resources at HUST, along with the University's research strengths, are prerequisites for the excellence and dynamism of the students.

Working with Vietnamese talents at HUST is an interesting experience for the female German lecturer. She is quite surprised by the students' eagerness to learn and proactivity. The dynamic, positive energy of the young people inspires her further in her profession. She also sets goals for herself to try to cultivate her capacity and care for every lesson to bring much useful knowledge to learners.
  Ms. Saskia's goal is to create opportunities for students to participate in lively discussions, enhance critical thinking, and freely express their own views. "Every opinion of the young people carries good meaning, helping them learn from each other and develop themselves more comprehensively," Ms. Saskia explained.

Ms. Saskia Moritz, like many other HUST people, always respects and gives students the opportunity to present their own views and be confident in creativity without being influenced by teachers. Lecturers only play the role of lighting the path and guiding students to learn how to walk on their chosen road. Hanoi University of Science and Technology has successfully developed according to the motto: "The School serves as the foundation - The Teacher is the subject and driver of creativity - The Learner is the center."

Ms. Saskia's greatest happiness during her time working at HUST is witnessing her students mature day by day. She is happy to see many HUST girls and boys, who were once bewildered when first getting used to German, now boldly setting foot in Germany on study exchange programs. For Ms. Saskia, every step forward of the students is a part of her own achievement, an honor to accompany the young people on their path to maturity.

"What I desire most is to be able to continue connecting with many organizations in Germany, opening up many more study exchange opportunities for HUST students—talented and lovable students of whom I am always proud," Ms. Saskia Moritz simply shared.

Throughout the conversation, Ms. Saskia Moritz did not speak much about wishes for herself but only wished for HUST students to have more opportunities to learn, explore, and mature in an international environment. Just like the HUST colleagues she always admires, Ms. Saskia chooses for herself the simple joy of the teaching profession: To see the radiant eyes of students when they touch their dreams. Because for her, as well as for many other HUST educators, the greatest happiness is always "all for the beloved students."