Thirty days, five courses, an entirely new academic environment, and countless first-time experiences. For Nguyen Van Minh, a Computer Science student in the 2023 Talent Program at the University of Information Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (UIT), his first month at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has been more than a period of adjustment. It has also been a chance to discover new boundaries and challenge himself beyond what he already knows.
Participating in the DiscoverNUS exchange program during Semester 1 of the 2026–2027 academic year, Minh has the opportunity to study, explore research, and experience student life in an international environment where every day brings new expectations for independent learning, critical thinking, and initiative.
30 days of learning to adapt
The first days in Singapore were not entirely easy. A new pace of life, a multicultural environment, different learning approaches, and a demanding workload sometimes required Minh to slow down, reassess, and find his own way to adapt.
Yet those differences soon became some of the most valuable parts of the experience.
From navigating unfamiliar routines, Minh gradually learned to organize his schedule, manage his time, connect with international friends, and become more proactive in making the most of each opportunity. Even simple moments, such as exploring local food with friends or chatting after class, helped turn an unfamiliar environment into a place that gradually felt more like everyday life.
“From being unfamiliar with the local food and lifestyle at first, sharing local dishes with friends has now become one of the most memorable parts of my first month here,” Minh shared.
When a Computer Science student steps beyond technology’s “comfort zone”
One of the most valuable aspects of Minh’s experience at NUS has been the academic program itself.
This semester, Minh is taking five courses spanning image processing, data mining, Generative AI, AI governance, and history. This combination allows him to explore technology not only from a technical perspective but also through its connections with business, governance, and society.
Through EE4704 – Image Processing and Analysis and BT4222 – Mining Web Data for Business Insights, Minh continues to strengthen his knowledge of image processing, computer vision, and web data mining.
Meanwhile, IS4401 – Generative AI and Business Applications and IS4246 – Smart Systems and AI Governance raise broader questions: How can AI be effectively applied in real-world contexts? How should intelligent systems be developed and governed to ensure responsibility, transparency, and sustainable value?
GEC1037 – Big Picture History adds a distinctly different dimension, taking a Computer Science student beyond familiar technical problems and encouraging him to consider technological development within the broader context of history and society.
This interdisciplinary approach is helping Minh realize that technical expertise is essential for going further in technology, but it is not enough on its own. Technology professionals also need to understand the issues their work affects and the responsibilities that come with every solution they create.
Beyond coursework: proactively seeking research opportunities
Alongside his courses, Minh is actively seeking opportunities to engage in research at NUS, particularly in areas that interest him, including Edge Device Systems, Transformer architectures, and Reinforcement Learning.
For Minh, research is not simply another experience to add to his academic profile. Entering a new research environment gives him an opportunity to observe how international research teams formulate questions, develop ideas, exchange academic perspectives, and gradually turn research questions into tangible outcomes.
The foundation Minh has developed through UIT’s Talent Program in Computer Science has also given him greater confidence as he enters a new academic environment. At the same time, the experience is helping him identify the skills and knowledge he still needs to strengthen if he wishes to pursue advanced research in the future.
An international semester that goes beyond the classroom
Beyond lectures and coursework, Singapore itself has become another classroom for Minh.
Trekking through green spaces, exploring Merlion Park and Marina Bay, experiencing the Singapore Night Festival, and simply spending time with friends from different countries have given him new ways to understand the place he now calls home for the semester.
More importantly, studying and working alongside people with different cultural backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking has encouraged Minh to listen, communicate, and adapt. These are skills that cannot be fully developed through textbooks alone, yet they are essential for students aspiring to participate in global academic and professional environments.
From UIT to NUS: opening another door to the world
Looking back on his first month, Minh believes that his years at UIT have provided him with an important foundation for entering a new academic environment with greater confidence.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the University of Information Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, for providing me with a strong academic foundation, building my confidence, and creating opportunities for me to study at NUS. The knowledge and experiences I gained at UIT continue to accompany me throughout this journey,” Minh shared.
Thirty days are only the beginning of a semester. Ahead are more challenging courses, research opportunities to pursue, and many experiences that cannot yet be anticipated.
Perhaps that is precisely where the value of an international exchange lies. Students do not go abroad simply to see another university or experience another country. They step into a broader environment where they can reflect on what they already know, recognize what they still need to learn, and discover how far they want to go.
From UIT to NUS, Nguyen Van Minh’s journey is also one of many stories of a generation of UIT students proactively stepping into the world with knowledge, capabilities, and a strong desire to learn.
Wishing Minh a semester filled with meaningful experiences, memorable academic milestones, and many new stories to bring back to UIT from his DiscoverNUS journey!