Ly Huynh Kieu Anh, the scholarship recipient, is a former student of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law. During her university studies in Vietnam, she earned a double degree in business administration and law.
Kieu Anh said that pursuing a double degree takes more time, specifically 5 years. While her peers have already graduated, she is still completing her bachelor's degree program, which also involves a larger workload. Despite this, as someone who isn't afraid of challenges, Kieu Anh continues to strive to achieve her goal.
Ly Huynh Kieu Anh is currently a lawyer in Vietnam. (PHOTO: Provided by the interviewee)
Conquer prestigious scholarships
In the 2024-2025 academic year, Kieu Anh is the only Vietnamese person to be awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) full scholarship from the European Commission for the European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) program.
Specifically, a total of 928 people from various countries applied for the European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) program. Of these, only 10 were awarded the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarship for the EMLE program. Kieu Anh was the only Vietnamese person among those 10 who won this scholarship.
Along with winning scholarships and subsequent months of diligent study in England and the United States, Ly Huynh Kieu Anh reaped the rewards: a double Master's degree in Law and Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands; and a Master of Legal Studies degree from the University of Arizona, USA.
Kieu Anh further shared: "I pursued a dual master's degree in economics and law at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands, for two semesters, and one semester at the University of Arizona, USA. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship requires students to study in at least two countries and choose at least two partner universities. The entire program is in-person. My experience is that you shouldn't be afraid to ask questions and exchange ideas, ask your friends, and ask your professors."
The Vietnamese woman said that scheduling was difficult in the beginning because other master's programs last two years. The European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) program, however, is only one year long. The study time is almost halved, and the number of courses for a dual degree is greater than for a single degree.
"The challenge I overcame was adjusting to living alone abroad while studying, mostly through self-study and research. In particular, everyone had to balance their mental health because the winters in Europe are very gloomy and can easily cause depression for those living in tropical regions," Kiều Anh said.
According to the official European Union website https://www.eeas.europa.eu/, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarship is considered "EU-prestigious," "one of the most financially supportive scholarships globally." Also, according to a 2024 article on the same website: "Within the framework of the Erasmus+ initiative, the EMJM awards EU-funded scholarships to master's students worldwide , covering tuition fees, travel expenses, and living allowances. The integrated programs last from one to two academic years, during which students spend time in at least two European countries and then receive a dual degree, or multiple degrees. Since 2004, nearly 700 EMJM scholarships have been awarded to Vietnamese students."
With the EMJM scholarship, Vietnamese scholars participate in a variety of study programs, ranging from nanoscience, analytical chemistry, cloud security and computing, global economics, European integration, food innovation, astrophysics and space science, medical technology, healthcare business, and many others.
Kieu Anh in front of the Library of Congress (Washington D.C., USA). PHOTO: Provided by the interviewee.
What experience led to winning a prestigious full scholarship from the European Commission?
Kieu Anh said that young people interested in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarship can refer to the program's official website, or search for schools in the country where they wish to study to find scholarships.
Kieu Anh herself had applied for many other scholarships and received much advice from experienced people to improve her applications.
"However, with the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) scholarship, in the letter of motivation section (a letter expressing your aspirations, reasons, and motivations for applying to a program or scholarship), I wrote it myself, and this is also the highest full scholarship I have received. To write this letter convincingly, I believe everything should come from within, not borrowed ideas from others. The reviewers often read many applications and recognize the difference if you write truthfully from your own experiences, feelings, and stories," Kieu Anh expressed.
Kieu Anh (in a pink ao dai) at the 'Vietnamese Lunar New Year' 2025 event in Rotterdam, Netherlands, organized by the Vietnamese Student Association in Rotterdam. PHOTO: Provided by the interviewee.
Ly Huynh Kieu Anh (currently 31 years old) boasts an impressive resume from her university days, actively participating in mock trial competitions both domestically and internationally. Previously, upon graduating from university, she quickly secured employment at foreign law firms in Vietnam. She is fluent in English, Chinese, and French.
The young woman shared her reasons for wanting to become a lawyer: "Many people say that lawyers must be very good at arguing. But I think that being good at arguing isn't a natural talent, but rather the result of accumulating knowledge, honing communication skills, and developing logical and coherent thinking. It's this process—learning, analyzing, and defending clients' interests—that makes me love and be committed to the profession."
Currently, after graduating with a master's degree, Kieu Anh has shifted her career path to working as an in-house lawyer for a commercial bank in Vietnam.
She shared her reasons for returning to work in Vietnam: "I love Vietnam. I've always believed that opportunities exist everywhere; what matters is what you want to build. For me, there's no 'best' choice, only the effort you put in each day to make your choice meaningful and the best it can be."
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-viet-nam-duy-nhat-gianh-hoc-bong-danh-gia-vuot-qua-hon-900-ung-vien-185260115091442976.htm
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