The little girl's great determination

Minh Thu overcame many psychological and financial obstacles to pursue an academic path at one of the top public universities in the United States.

Dang Ngoc Minh Thu (26 years old, from Dong Nai ) is currently a PhD student in the Department of Public Relations at the University of Florida. It is worth mentioning that Thu never intended to study abroad, because she is an emotional person and always wants to be close to her family. But when the opportunity knocked on her door, Thu seized it to step out of her comfort zone and reap success.

The Journey of Perseverance

In 2022, while studying at a university in Vietnam, Thu received a full scholarship for an international student exchange program at Arizona State University (USA). It was also the first time she went abroad and realized how big the world was.

Flexible thinking, self-learning ability, preserving identity but not being conservative... help Dang Ngoc Minh Thu (right cover) mature, creating her own mark with foreign friends.

Having met international friends, experienced different cultures and most importantly, understood more about herself, when she returned, Thu thought about it and decided to return to the US. She studied for a master's degree in communication at the University of Texas at Arlington. This was the result of Thu's efforts when she boldly met directly with the advisor of the Department of Communication, presented her study plan and personal ambitions. Thu became a Graduate Research Assistant, a position reserved for only 2 students each year. From then on, she not only received tuition support but also had a stable income. Thu soon took the initiative to build an interdisciplinary research orientation, combining modern communication theory with diverse cultural contexts. She continued to win the Danny Woodward Scholarship for the best graduate student in the following year and was fully funded for research presentations everywhere.

In the past two years, Thu has visited 20 states and 02 islands in the US. Most of these were academic trips, attending seminars and research conferences.

In 2025, Thu was accepted into the doctoral program at the prestigious University of Florida - "a very meaningful milestone and an affirmation that dreams big enough will find the right direction" - Thu recalled. She was fully sponsored for tuition, insurance, along with salaries for teaching assistant and research assistant positions, totaling more than 100,000 USD per year.

Forging character

Thu chose the United States, where creativity and difference are always appreciated, where big questions about society, people, and culture are always encouraged to be explored in depth. It is the ideal space for her to explore her favorite research topics. "My biggest goal is not only to complete my doctoral program with excellence, but also to gradually shape an academic journey that is useful to the community. I have to make sure that my research is not only mentioned in seminars or classes, but also really touches life" - she emphasized.

In her journey as a global citizen, Thu learns to respect cultural and personality differences, constantly adjusting herself to adapt without losing herself.

Thu is loved and supported by many people around her, from friends to lecturers and the Vietnamese community in the US. Thanks to her good academic background in Vietnam, she is proactive in her research and quickly adapts to the new environment. Despite many advantages, the emotional little girl still has to face many challenges such as: homesickness, especially during holidays and Tet; high living costs; the first days of loneliness, self-discovery, failure and daring to try again.

She believes in maintaining her own values ​​in the competitive international context, not losing her cultural identity, but finding her own voice, keeping her heart always turned towards her homeland. And more importantly, creating a bridge between young Vietnamese people and international academia. "I understand the feeling of confusion when starting from zero without anyone to guide me, so I want to become a small light for someone on a similar journey" - she confided.

Sincerity and dedication in all things, whether in research or in community activities; the ability to express richly and think multidimensionally in both Vietnamese and English... are Minh Thu's outstanding strengths. Dr. Vinicio Sinta at the University of Texas at Arlington highly appreciates the spirit of progress, constant learning and abundant energy of this young scholar. Thu always works diligently to write about Vietnamese people in a formal yet emotional academic language; bringing each cultural value, community story, and integration concerns of young Vietnamese people into international magazines. Through that, the world can see Vietnam through the lens of the new generation's determination, intelligence and depth.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nghi-luc-lon-cua-co-gai-nho-196250719201910221.htm