The turning point of a national excellent student in Biology to major in Computer Science

Born in 2006, currently a second-year student majoring in Data Science - Computer Science at Swinburne University, Doan Gia Han entered the age of 19 with twists of effort, change and maturity.

Maturity comes when you find yourself calmer and more thoughtful.

Doan Gia Han is currently a second-year student majoring in Data Science - Computer Science at Swinburne University (HCMC). The petite, cute Tay girl is a former student of Nguyen Du High School for the Gifted (Dak Lak). 3 years ago, Gia Han received a Certificate of Merit from the Minister and Chairman of the Ethnic Minorities Committee for her outstanding achievements in studying, training and working.

What impresses Han is not only her long list of achievements, from third prize in the national Biology competition, the Odon Vallet scholarship to many community projects, but also the way she sees herself very calmly and deeply.

Han said the most mature moment did not come from the honor ceremony, but an afternoon sitting alone in the team hall, when the National exam was only a week away.

“That was the moment I felt a mixture of excitement, anxiety, regret and pride. When the teacher said 'it's all over in a week', I felt not pressure but fulfillment. In that quiet moment, I saw a calmer, clearer version of myself, ready to move on to a new chapter. That was also the last time I lived fully with Biology - a subject that I had been attached to throughout high school,” Han recalled.

Doan Gia Han is currently a second-year student at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. Photo: NVCC

From Biology to Computer Science - an Unexpected Turn

Many people were surprised when a student who won the National Biology Prize chose Computer Science. But for Han, it was not an impulsive decision. Her passion for technology started in 8th grade, when she wrote her first lines of code and felt the joy of creating something from scratch.

“Biology gives me scientific thinking, patience and analytical skills. Technology opens wider doors to apply those things. Biology gives me questions, technology gives me answers,” Han shared.

So Gia Han's choice is not to give up but to continue, even to return to the 8th grade girl of the past. Who knows, the journey ahead will bring her back to biological data, combining the two pieces she once loved.

Besides studying, Gia Han also stands out in sports , media and community activities. But her journey has never been a straight line. The thread that keeps her from getting caught up in the race for achievements is the question: “Why am I doing this?”.

In academics, value is about progress. In sports, it’s about enjoying the game. In community service, value is about making a real impact – however small.

Han is also often the pioneer in teams and projects. “When you see that you can do it, why not start right away?”, she said. The initiative does not come from the desire to stand out, but from seeing a gap that needs to be filled and believing that you are capable of starting.

Doan Gia Han participates in community activities. Photo: NVCC

“I am like a butterfly flying up in a three-dimensional spiral”

While maintaining a GPA of 3.75 and playing a key role in many groups, Han learned time management skills and developed her inner strength. For her, time management is not just about scheduling, but also about prioritizing and saving energy.

Even though she wants to do a lot, Han always reminds herself that it's better to do everything "good enough" than to be so perfectionist that she gets stressed and loses her joy.

During that journey, Han especially remembers the small but meaningful moments: the veteran’s thanks when she helped him prepare for the prosthetic leg fitting at the Jaipur Prosthetics Camp; a friend from another province recognizing the “Ivory is worth more than an elephant’s life” campaign keychain; or the clear progress of a student in the English video at the beginning and end of the course. Those experiences helped Han understand that giving does not have to be big; just creating a real impact – however small – is enough to bring value.

Looking back on her journey over the past three years, Han compares herself to “a butterfly flying up in a three-dimensional spiral”. Photo: NVCC

Of course, there are times when I am overwhelmed, sitting all day without finishing a single task. But Han does not see that as a failure, but as a signal to adjust. When I am overwhelmed, I stop, check my energy, rearrange my schedule or stop a project that is too much for me.

Having experienced many environments - domestic study, international debate, exchange programs, community projects - Han realized that the confidence of young Vietnamese people does not come from proving that they are better, but from believing in their own values, understanding their strengths, recognizing their limitations and proactively learning.

Looking back on the past three years, Han compares herself to “a butterfly flying up a three-dimensional spiral”: The spiral is the journey of progress through each cycle of experience and lesson; the butterfly is a symbol of transformation and growth after challenges. That image reflects the path Han is taking: Steadfast but flexible, mature but always keeping curiosity and joy in every experience.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/buoc-ngoat-cua-hoc-sinh-gioi-quoc-gia-mon-sinh-sang-nganh-khoa-hoc-may-tinh-2466216.html