The young man, who owed tuition for six semesters, was overwhelmed by his teacher's words on his return to school.

Having worked multiple jobs to make a living and support his family, Duy Hai at one point owed tuition fees for six semesters. Despite this, he was never once reminded by his teachers or given a payment deadline.

Nguyen Duy Hai (30 years old) is a former student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, he is both a travel blogger and a digital marketing consultant for a foreign company. Looking at his current life with his travels around the world, few people know that Duy Hai once went through an extremely difficult period.

Only written words can change destiny.

As the second of five siblings, Hai's childhood was marked by prolonged hardship. Due to difficult family circumstances, both his older and younger brothers had to drop out of school early. Hai, however, persevered in his studies, understanding that "only education can change one's destiny and open up a better future."

After graduating from high school, Hai passed the entrance exam to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. He also worked part-time to earn money to support himself. However, every time he returned home and witnessed creditors coming to his house demanding money from his mother, Hai couldn't bear it. Therefore, instead of keeping his meager allowance for himself, Hai sent it all back to his family.

Duy Hai is a former student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

But financial burdens didn't deter Hai from school. On the contrary, he chose to work harder to send money regularly home to help his family and ensure his two younger siblings could continue their education.

Hai took on multiple jobs at once. From customer service at an electronics supermarket, by his third year, he was hired by a data classification company that used Spanish, which was exactly what he was studying. A salary of 4-5 million VND per month was a significant amount for a student at the time, but Hai still applied for additional projects.

Thanks to this, there were times when Hai earned 9-10 million VND per month. In addition, he also took care of a classmate's grandfather at night, earning an extra 2 million VND per month.

"Back then, I was so skinny, and my eyes were always red from lack of sleep," Hai recalled. The most stressful time was in his fourth year, when Hai had to work part-time, have a packed study schedule, and prepare his graduation thesis. Despite all that, Hai never once thought about dropping out of school.

Grateful for the teachers' help during difficult times.

What Duy Hai is most grateful for is the way his professors at university treated him during that difficult period. At that time, Hai struggled to raise enough money to pay his tuition for the second semester of his first year. After paying the remaining amount, Hai took a chance and went to the university's Student Affairs office to ask for permission to defer tuition payments for subsequent semesters due to his difficult circumstances.

"I was very nervous and embarrassed at the time," Hai recalled. But what he received in return was the gentleness of his teachers and their nod of approval without needing any supporting documents.

"The professor said I should just register for courses as usual, and I would receive my degree once I paid all the tuition. That statement reassured me, and I ended up owing tuition for six semesters," Hai recounted.

Currently, Hai is both a travel blogger and a digital marketing consultant for a foreign company. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Hai recalled that throughout those years, his teachers never mentioned the debt, nor did they show any discrimination. On graduation day, because he hadn't fulfilled his financial obligations, Hai thought he wouldn't be called up to receive his diploma. Fearing his parents would be upset if they witnessed it, he kept the graduation ceremony a secret, not telling his family.

"When my name was called, I felt both happy and sad because my parents weren't there," Hai said. Even now, his mother still cries whenever she recalls the incident, feeling sorry for him. But for Hai, he is grateful that the school didn't leave its students behind.

Immediately after graduating, Hai had the opportunity to work for Google in Malaysia with an attractive salary. As his life gradually stabilized, Hai returned to the school to pay off all his tuition fees and retrieve his original diploma. However, he still worried about being reprimanded by the school for being in arrears for so long. But then, his teacher's words brought Hai to tears.

“When reviewing my records, the professor asked, ‘What debts do you owe that are so small?’ I naively replied, ‘Sir, I owe a lot, six semesters!’ He smiled kindly and said, ‘Well, that’s right, it’s a lot,’ and helped me find my original diplomas. My biggest regret is not having had the chance to ask for his name, but I will always remember the kindness of my teachers at school,” Hai said.

Hai has had the opportunity to travel to many places around the world . Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Currently, Hai and his family's lives are no longer as difficult. He also has the opportunity to travel to many places around the world. Having started from nothing with many burdens, what Hai is most proud of is that he never thought about giving up.

"I understand how difficult the path to literacy is. But I also believe that only through education can a better future be opened," Hai shared.

The "Mr. Student" was announced by the principal to be awarded a full scholarship for a master's degree. Before becoming the champion of "New Generation Students," Khanh Nam had previously won the "Beauty of Vietnamese Students" contest.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chang-trai-no-hoc-phi-6-hoc-ky-vo-oa-vi-cau-noi-cua-thay-ngay-tro-lai-truong-2487043.html