Nguyễn Lê Phương Thy, a student from the Faculty of Information Systems, University of Information Technology (UIT), has opened a remarkable chapter in her academic journey — a semester exchange at the National University of Singapore (NUS) through the DiscoverNUS Exchange Program. For Thy, it was more than just a trip abroad; it was a turning point — a transformative experience where she learned to live independently, think proactively, and grow amidst one of Asia’s most rigorous academic environments.

Inspired by an unforgettable summer at the AUN Symposium 2024, Thy had long dreamed of returning to NUS — not just for a short-term course, but to truly immerse herself in university life there. With careful preparation and persistence throughout the application process, she finally arrived in Singapore, ready to embark on five months of academic pursuit, self-discovery, and cultural exploration.

Between Pressure and Growth

The first days at NUS were filled with a mix of excitement and challenge. Despite a strong academic foundation from UIT, Thy found herself overwhelmed by the intensity of coursework, the demand for self-directed learning, and the fast-paced academic culture. Every lecture, discussion, group project, and midterm required critical thinking, time management, and relentless self-discipline.

Yet amid those early struggles, Thy learned the value of seeking support — from international peers, teaching assistants, and professors — and gradually found her rhythm. She realized that academic excellence isn't just about absorbing information, but about asking the right questions, admitting what you don’t know, and being persistent in finding answers.

Core skills nurtured at UIT — from teamwork and data analysis to technical writing — became crucial tools in helping her meet deadlines, tackle assessments, and navigate sleepless nights at the library. But at NUS, everything was sharpened to a new level: more refined, more logical, and more resilient.

Unforgettable Moments Beyond the Classroom

Amid academic rigor, Thy’s journey in Singapore unfolded like a symphony of youthful experience. It was her first time celebrating Lunar New Year away from home — simple, yet warm — with the Vietnamese student community in Singapore. There were afternoons cycling through the lush NUS campus, budget grocery trips, and lessons in sustainable living and self-reliance.

It was her first time fully experiencing a multicultural world: sharing Halal meals with Muslim friends, learning about Ramadan, listening to stories about faith and lifestyle from other cultures. Each interaction stretched her worldview and deepened her empathy.

After exams, spontaneous weekend trips to Malaysia, late-night group projects, and shared laughter over debugging code became vibrant snapshots of student life — filled with trial, error, and growth. These were the lessons that no syllabus could offer, but were profoundly transformative.

When the exchange program ended, what Thy brought home wasn’t just a transcript or souvenir photos — it was a more grounded, mature version of herself. Someone who knows what she wants, understands where she stands, and is ready to take her next steps with confidence.

From Uncertainty to Clarity

Singapore welcomed Phương Thy with an academic culture that was fast-paced, demanding, and unlike anything she had experienced before. NUS classrooms weren’t just spaces for lectures; they were platforms for discussion, debate, and student-led inquiry. The reading lists were dense, the deadlines relentless, the group dynamics ever-evolving.

There were moments when she questioned if she was falling behind — but she adapted. She learned to ask questions without hesitation. She learned how to learn. She stepped into the world of others — to understand, and to be understood.

Her first Tet holiday away from home became a moment of meaningful connection with the Vietnamese student community. Simple weekend meals with international friends, impromptu bus rides across borders, or evening bike rides around campus — all these became lessons in independence, resilience, and personal discovery.

For the first time, she truly witnessed a multicultural society — where Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism coexist peacefully. And she listened — without judgment, without comparison.

When Growth Is No Longer Abstract

Concluding her exchange semester at NUS, Phương Thy returned not just with knowledge or the distinction of being a UIT student at one of Asia’s top universities. What she truly gained was a clearer, stronger, and humbler version of herself.

She learned to view problems from multiple angles, to ask questions before seeking answers. She learned how to be a “freshman” again — this time not lost, but guided by direction and belief. Every small mistake in a project, every late-night study session, every group discussion that stretched into the night — all became building blocks of her personal growth.

To Thy, the most valuable takeaway wasn’t a certificate — it was a set of life tools: self-learning, international collaboration, connection, and an open, global mindset. The exchange semester was not an ending, but a beginning — of living, learning, and dreaming bigger.