Kim Yến, a high school student whose scientific research on sustainable fashion was published in PLoS ONE—a journal ranked SCOPUS Q1—has returned with outstanding achievements. She has earned a spot at KU Leuven, one of Europe’s top research universities (#42 globally according to Times Higher Education). Additionally, she has been admitted to the prestigious Duke Kunshan University with a scholarship worth over 5.1 billion VND, received generous financial aid from Minerva University, a 90% scholarship from SP Jain School of Global Management, and an 80% scholarship from VinUniversity.

A Fierce Passion for the Environment

"I’m Kim Yến, a student from a small provincial gifted school with big dreams. I have a deep interest in environmental issues and business entrepreneurship. From the beginning of my social activism journey, I’ve been involved in environmental initiatives, aiming to improve the local environment. As the president of The Eco-Warrior Clubs, I organized three citywide recycled paper collection campaigns, collaborated on second-hand item recycling events, raised funds for single mothers, and conducted many other environmental activities."

But my aspirations go beyond environmental issues. I vividly remember my mother, a worker in a garment factory in our district, coming home from work coughing incessantly from exposure to fabric dust and machinery. Despite the health risks and the factory’s environmental impact, she couldn’t leave the job—it was our family’s sole income source. This reality motivated me to strive for a future where businesses provide economic growth while safeguarding workers' health and the environment.

This passion led Kim Yến to excel in international business competitions. Notably, she placed in the top 0.25% of the Young Tycoons Business Challenge 2022 with KOMBY—a project to create vegan leather from vinegar, offering a biodegradable and cost-effective alternative to traditional leather. She also earned prestigious awards, including second place in the national Young Community Leader 2022 competition, a 100% scholarship from the Sustainable Entrepreneurship Fellowship, third place nationally in the Olympic English on the Internet, and more.

A High School Researcher in Sustainable Fashion Published in PLoS ONE

Besides engaging in social and environmental activities, I participated in numerous training programs and competitions to sharpen my knowledge of business and entrepreneurship—subjects not taught in school, requiring me to self-learn and seek mentorship.

My journey into research began as I sought insights for my startup ideas. Research became an exciting field where I could explore my curiosity and gain evidence-based insights to support the communities I aim to serve. However, it wasn’t easy. People often told me, “Research is too hard for high school students.” At times, such skepticism discouraged me, but I understood the value of my work—not just for personal growth but also for advancing fields like business and entrepreneurship.

I began researching sustainable fashion while also contributing ideas to a startup project in the same field. My efforts culminated in the co-authorship of a research paper published in PLoS ONE (Q1). During this challenging journey, I learned invaluable lessons. For instance, while conducting surveys for the research, I discovered surprising insights—such as the mismatch between community needs and charitable campaigns or misconceptions about sustainable fashion. These experiences deepened my passion, helping me understand my target audience and create impactful solutions.

This unique narrative was what I sought to convey in my application essays—showing myself as an evidence-based entrepreneur eager to promote sustainable development.

Conquering KU Leuven: A Leading Global Research University

Reflecting on my scholarship journey, I see how much I’ve grown and learned.

Since 10th grade, I dreamed of studying abroad to experience diverse academic and cultural environments. When I shared this dream, I often heard dismissive remarks like, “You don’t have the money to study abroad,” or, “It’s beyond your family’s reach.” While I knew financial constraints were a significant factor, I refused to let them define my potential. I resolved to navigate the narrow path to my dreams.

My aspiration was to study business while gaining opportunities to research with experienced professors. This led me to target KU Leuven—a top research university (#42 globally) in Brussels, Belgium, also known as the “Heart of Europe” for hosting EU and NATO headquarters. KU Leuven offers abundant research and startup development opportunities, making it an ideal place to prepare for positively impacting my community. Furthermore, with government subsidies for international students, the annual tuition of about €2,500 significantly eases my family’s financial burden.

Before receiving my acceptance from KU Leuven, I faced several rejections and almost gave up on my study-abroad dream. However, I always believed that by exploring every opportunity, I would eventually find the place “where I’m bound to be.”

MiYork congratulates Kim Yến on her remarkable achievements and wishes her an incredible journey at KU Leuven, pursuing her dreams and creating lasting impact!

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