Out of numerous applicants from around the world, Trinh Thi Quy Hoai, a student majoring in Chinese Translation and Interpretation at the School of Language and Social Sciences (LHSS) at DTU, has become the only student from Vietnam to receive the South Korean Government Scholarship for Exchange Students in 2024 to study at Dong-A University.
The Global Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) is a full scholarship funded by the South Korean government for international students who wish to study at major universities and research institutes in South Korea.
This policy aims to promote international educational exchange and friendship among nations, as supported by the South Korean government.
Mastering Foreign languages through daily diligence
As the third child in a farming family with four siblings in Quang Nam, Trinh Thi Quy Hoai and her siblings have always supported each other in their studies and household responsibilities to keep their parents content and proud.
Trinh Thi Quy Hoai's passion for learning foreign languages at DTU
Fortuitously, throughout her studies, Quy Hoai has received not only her parents' encouragement but also the support and inspiration from her hardworking and disciplined eldest brother. Quy Hoai shared: “My older brother loves learning foreign languages, especially Chinese and Korean. I remember when he was younger, he diligently practiced foreign languages by listening to the radio and teaching himself using old textbooks. Seeing his dedication and the results he achieved through hard work, I always looked up to him as a role model and followed his methods for learning languages.”
Starting to learn Chinese in middle school, Quy Hoai’s dedication and love for foreign languages grew with the guidance and support from her brother. As a result, she quickly passed the HSK4 Chinese proficiency exam, which is an intermediate level among the six levels of HSK.
Additionally, like many young people around the world who have become fans of K-pop and Korean culture, Quy Hoai has also self-studied Korean with the motivation to experience the beautiful country and its culture. Thus, in less than two years, she achieved a Korean proficiency level equivalent to TOPIK 3 and continues to strive to further improve her Korean skills.
For Quy Hoai, learning Chinese (her second foreign language) and Korean (her third foreign language) is a passion and personal interest, so she enjoys immersing herself in it. Besides her classroom studies, she constantly practices both languages by reading books, watching Chinese and Korean movies, and seeking opportunities to converse with native speakers.
Announcement of Korean Government Scholarship for Exchange Students Quy Hoai
Quy Hoai's Scholarship Success
Regarding her language learning secrets, Quy Hoai believes: “It’s a combination of many factors, such as the support and guidance of teachers and self-discipline in studying at home, which play a crucial role. For me, in addition to learning grammar and vocabulary in class, I look for opportunities to practice the language by talking to foreigners visiting Da Nang or chatting with Chinese and Korean speakers on social media, honing my pronunciation and communication skills. Additionally, it’s important to have a clear study plan, set specific short-term and long-term goals, allocate study time appropriately, and persistently pursue those goals to achieve one’s personal aspirations.”
Dream of studying in South Korea becomes reality
Quy Hoai's relentless efforts have been rewarded as she becomes the only Vietnamese student to receive the South Korean Government Scholarship for Exchange Students in 2024, alongside other international students from countries and regions such as Singapore, Taiwan (China), Indonesia, Japan, and the UK.
Quy Hoai happily said: “Since I was young, I’ve been determined to excel in my studies to earn a scholarship to study abroad. I realize that if we master a foreign language, we will have many opportunities to visit various countries, explore new landscapes and cultures, and gain access to better career opportunities.”
To receive the South Korean Government Scholarship, Quy Hoai not only achieved a GPA of over 3.7/4.00 (Excellent) but also provided a credible recommendation letter and a clear study plan, alongside diverse extracurricular activities. Moreover, her impressive multilingual skills, with proficiency in both HSK4 (Chinese) and TOPIK 3 (Korean), were significant advantages.
She also honestly shared: “I was very indecisive when choosing a university to attend and develop over my four years as a student. Knowing that DTU has many collaboration programs with major universities around the world and numerous student exchange programs with countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, etc., I confidently chose this dynamic learning environment with many benefits for students.”
Diep The Khai with Japanese Government Scholarship and Nguyen Huu Nho with Korean Government Scholarship
Previously, two male students from DTU had also achieved notable scholarships:
• Diep The Khai, majoring in Japanese Translation and Interpretation, received the Japanese Government Scholarship.
• Nguyen Huu Nho, majoring in International Hotel Management (PSU), received the South Korean Government Scholarship.
The support and facilitation provided by DTU and its faculty have enabled many students to pursue their dreams of studying, researching, and exploring their strengths abroad, as well as experiencing the diverse cultures and people of the world.
(Media Center)