Phạm Nguyễn Kiều Thanh, an 18-year-old student, has achieved a full scholarship worth €76,000 (approximately 2 billion VND) to pursue a bachelor's degree at the prestigious Maastricht University. This August, Thanh will begin her journey in Global Studies at one of the top universities in the Netherlands.

Having missed the golden opportunity to study abroad at the age of 14, Thanh has always reminded herself of the mantra: “When you desire something deeply, the universe will conspire to help you achieve it.” This guiding principle has fueled her determination and resilience throughout her journey of self-development.

Today, let MiYork share the inspiring story of Thanh with you!

Humble Beginnings and the Spark to Dream Big

Born and raised in the mountainous region of Lai Châu in northwest Vietnam, Kiều Thanh grew up as a diligent and hardworking student. Excelling academically, she rarely encountered significant challenges in her studies. Yet, the stability of her “less competitive learning environment” left her feeling demotivated, aimless, and without a clear sense of purpose.

Thanh’s family had meticulously mapped out her educational path: she would attend Trí Đức High School in Hanoi, a private institution focused on preparing students for university entrance exams, and eventually enroll in FTU (Foreign Trade University) or NEU (National Economics University). However, Thanh resisted this “perfectly planned” trajectory, feeling lost and unfulfilled.

Her true turning point came toward the end of eighth grade when she stumbled upon articles about studying abroad. These stories ignited a dream within her: to pursue education overseas. When asked what motivated her to deviate from the stable path laid out by her family, Thanh shared with humor:

“My primary school was 50 meters from my house, middle school 70 meters, and high school 300 meters. So, I hardly ever went far from home, and my strict, traditional father didn’t allow me to go out. OMG, I felt like I was going to explode!”

From that moment, the desire to “go far”—beyond her familiar surroundings, her predetermined path, and societal expectations—began to grow in her 14-year-old heart.

Thanh candidly admitted, “I couldn’t stand my inner child being confined in such a rigid and narrow environment. The restrictions only made my urge to break free stronger than ever.”

The Path of Persistence and Self-Discovery

Once Thanh decided she was determined to study abroad by high school, she began researching scholarships and application processes. She expressed her aspirations in online forums and detailed her scholarship application plans. Instead of encouragement, she received blunt and often negative comments:

“With this profile, you think you can apply for a scholarship? Dream on!”

Feeling disappointed and disheartened, Thanh described this moment as her first major life shock. But it also became the catalyst for her to map out a clearer, more goal-oriented development plan. She immediately created a summer plan focused on improving her grades, enhancing her IELTS score, and engaging in extracurricular activities.

Her efforts paid off when she earned a 25% scholarship to a high school in New Zealand. Although this was not a full scholarship, it marked her first significant achievement in breaking free from her comfort zone. However, Thanh’s family firmly opposed her plans to study abroad, forcing her to confront the question:

“Am I rushing into this without adequate preparation?”

After reflecting on her father’s advice—“If you want to go abroad, prove you can handle your education here first”—Thanh made the tough decision to forgo the New Zealand scholarship. But she held firmly to the belief: “When one door closes, another opens.”

Resilience and Redemption

Instead of attending Trí Đức High School as planned, Thanh found her own path, ultimately earning a 100% scholarship to FPT High School in Hanoi—the highest and only full scholarship awarded that year. Thanh believed her dedication had been justly rewarded, even sacrificing her class photo shoot to attend the interview.

Her time at FPT High School was transformative. In a more open and dynamic learning environment, Thanh became more independent, developed essential soft skills, and actively participated in extracurricular activities, which strengthened her scholarship applications.

After a year at FPT, Thanh confidently applied abroad again and secured a 100% scholarship to Brooke House College in England. At 16, Thanh embarked on her overseas journey, maturing into a self-reliant and worldly student.

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Pursuing the Greater Dream

While studying in England, Thanh set her sights even higher. She explored universities worldwide, focusing on Europe, and sought advice in student forums. This led her to connect with a mentor who guided her in refining her goals. Thanh’s interests centered on business and economics, with aspirations to use business as a vehicle for promoting sustainable development.

With guidance, Thanh narrowed her focus to two career paths: Impact Investor and Policy Maker.

Throughout the interview, Thanh emphasized the concept of “sustainable development,” a passion deeply embedded in her aspirations. Maastricht University’s Global Studies program stood out as the ideal place for her to nurture these ambitions and transform her dreams into reality.

Achieving the UM Global Studies Scholarship

The UM Global Studies Scholarship, awarded to only one outstanding candidate, presented numerous challenges. Thanh recalled, “Balancing schoolwork and the application process was tough. I struggled with chronic insomnia and couldn’t stay up late like others, which limited my time to prepare.”

Despite these obstacles, Thanh meticulously built her personal brand around “economics” and “sustainable development.” She participated in community projects, social activities, and competitions to showcase her dedication. For the scholarship’s unique presentation component, she researched and proposed solutions for underdevelopment in her hometown of Lai Châu, leaving a lasting impression on the judges.

Thanh’s unyielding belief—“When you desire something deeply, the universe will conspire to help you achieve it”—helped her overcome the odds and secure the prestigious UM Global Studies Scholarship.

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Looking Forward

With the financial burden lifted by the scholarship, Thanh is ready to embrace new opportunities and experiences. She hopes to apply her knowledge to create meaningful change, particularly in her hometown, which faces challenges such as poverty, low education levels, and early marriages.

Thanh shared with excitement, “With Maastricht’s unique program focusing on the Global South, I hope to learn, grow, and make an impact, starting with my hometown, then Vietnam, and eventually the ASEAN region. UNDP, wait for me!”

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