Experiencing Germany with a School of Economics and Management Student

Nguyễn Thị Thu Hương, the monitor of class Accounting 01-K67 at the School of Economics and Management, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, is currently studying away from HUST. Her study exchange in Germany has equipped her with knowledge and experiences, preparing her for future goals.

A Standout HUST Student

Arriving at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, this young student took on a major responsibility: Becoming the monitor of class Accounting 01-K67. Her enthusiasm, proactive communication, and willingness to listen to her classmates' opinions earned her their trust for this position. From that role, she immediately began to cultivate leadership qualities and the ability to coordinate and work in a team. "In our class activities, I learned to manage time effectively and delegate tasks to each member to ensure everything ran smoothly. This helped me develop a sense of responsibility and learn a great deal about management skills", Thu Hương shared.
  Not only does she have leadership qualities, but Thu Hương is also known for her academic excellence. This girl of class Accounting 01-K67 stands out with an impressive list of achievements: A CPA (Cumulative GPA) of 3.76, a 7.5 IELTS score, an international exchange scholarship, academic incentive scholarships for four consecutive semesters, and numerous other awards. Studying economics at a technical university like HUST, Thu Hương also faced her share of challenges. The vast amount of knowledge and many highly technical subjects initially caused her some concern. However, this very multidisciplinary environment became a major advantage, helping HUST students not only master economic fundamentals but also sharpen their logical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.

To maintain her outstanding academic performance, Thu Hương always creates and follows a clear plan. She prepares for each lesson in advance, actively participates in group discussions, and constantly seeks additional knowledge. In class, she focuses on the lectures and jots down key points to grasp the fundamentals, then organizes the information using diagrams for easy memorization and review. After class, she spends more time practicing exercises and reading supplementary materials. The habit of studying consistently every day, without cramming for exams, is how Thu Hương maintains her stamina and stability on her academic journey.

Alongside her intellectual pursuits, Thu Hương places great importance on time management and proactivity. This HUST student typically schedules her time to alternate between studying, reviewing, and participating in extracurricular activities to cover all her goals. Looking back, Thu Hương believes that her perseverance, self-discipline, and ability to find balance have helped her maintain her performance and stable achievements.
  Behind her persistent efforts is the figure of her mother, who laid the foundation for her daughter's responsible habits. With strictness and meticulousness from childhood, Thu Hương's mother taught her to cherish both her handwriting and her character, and to respect every notebook: It had to be neat, clean, and never careless. "If there was just one sloppy line of text or a dog-eared notebook, my mom would make me rewrite it or fix it. She taught me everything, from folding my blanket into a perfect square and neatly folding my clothes to placing every book and notebook in its proper place," Thu Hương revealed. These small rules gradually became habits, instilling in the HUST student a sense of thoroughness, responsibility, and the mindset that whatever you do, you must do it with all your heart and effort.

Along her development path, the dedication of her teachers at the School of Economics and Management has been a great source of encouragement for Hương. In particular, Assoc. Prof. Đào Thanh Bình, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management and also the academic advisor for class Accounting 01-K67, was the one who ignited her passion. During her studies, he not only devotedly imparted professional knowledge but also constantly encouraged students to proactively seek out experiential opportunities. Assoc. Prof. Bình once said, "If you don't have the things you love, then love the things you have." This teaching gave students confidence in their abilities and helped Thu Hương confidently apply for exchange programs and shape her future path.

The HUST Student's Journey in Germany

Thu Hương's dream began to materialize when she learned about the exchange program in Germany, a partnership between the School of Economics and Management at HUST and HTWG Konstanz. She proactively researched the application requirements, set clear academic goals, and spent considerable time preparing her language skills and application for the HUST Student Exchange Scholarship. The scholarship, valued at up to 30 million VND, supports round-trip airfare and international insurance for HUST students on short-term exchanges abroad.

Additionally, she researched German culture, lifestyle, and the education system to ensure a quick integration. Although it was a challenging period, Thu Hương received dedicated support from the faculty at HUST's Department of Partnership and Engagement. They not only provided detailed guidance on procedures and helped edit every section of her application but also offered encouragement, answered her questions, and connected with partners in Germany to ensure all formalities were completed quickly and smoothly. Furthermore, lecturers from the School of Economics and Management advised her on selecting appropriate courses. Thanks to this thorough preparation, the HUST student embarked on her exchange journey at HTWG Konstanz with confidence and a determination to make the most of this precious opportunity.
  Far away in Germany, Thu Hương faced a number of difficulties as the learning style was quite different. In subjects like International Business Law, students were required to conduct their own research, give presentations, and engage in constant debate. This was a significant challenge compared to the study habits in Vietnam. However, the foundational knowledge and soft skills honed at HUST became a solid support system for Thu Hương. Leveraging her strong academic background and the adaptability and management skills she gained as a class leader, she easily kept up with her coursework, confidently participated in group projects, and made friends in Europe.

After a period of studying and experiencing life at HTWG Konstanz, Thu Hương feels that this journey has fully met her initial expectations. Not only has she gained a wealth of knowledge, but she has also developed skills for working in an integrated environment. What she treasures most is the opportunity to learn in a competitive environment that encourages critical thinking, which has helped her grow significantly. This exchange opportunity has been a crucial turning point for Thu Hương's future direction.
  After her exchange concludes, she hopes to become a "bridge," connecting with and passing on her international study and living experiences to other HUST students. Thu Hương hopes that sharing her experiences of studying and living abroad can reach many students at the School of Economics and Management and HUST in general, helping them to confidently embark on their own academic journeys in new countries.

Her favorite life motto is: "Don't be afraid to challenge yourself. When you dare to step out of your comfort zone, you will gain valuable experiences that no classroom lesson can provide." Thu Hương hopes that HUST students will be confident in seeking and seizing the opportunities the university offers. HUST is an excellent launchpad to a bright future.

See details about the student exchange scholarship that took Thu Hương abroad here!