Con đường của mình với học bổng thạc sỹ toàn phần Fulbright chính phủ Mỹ để theo học tại Columbia University, Teachers College. Bài viết này vừa là cách mình phản tư về những trải nghiệm mình đã may mắn tích lũy được, cũng như là một lời động viên tới những bạn đang bước trên con đường này.
3 a.m Monday, May 19th, 2025.
9 hours before my flight to Ha Noi for Fulbright’s Pre-departure orientation (PDO), I was unable to sleep, twisting and turning all night. The moment I had long awaited was finally here. In the midst of my flight, I experienced some turbulence, which somehow mirrored my journey with Fulbright. There were so many bumps along the road, but I’m incredibly grateful that I kept going.
Back in 2019, I was selected as an alternate candidate for the Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant program (FLTA). That experience gave me a glimpse into Fulbright’s values and its people. Despite not getting upgraded in the end, I made a promise to myself that I would reapply and present the admissions committee with an even better version of myself — with a clearer sense of purpose and deeper sense of self. Fast forward to 2024, I reapplied, but to a different program: Fulbright Vietnamese Student Program (FFSP). It was definitely one of the longest and most difficult years of my life. This time, I aspired to pursue a master’s degree in educational technology. The whole application process took roughly a year, but it took me many years to prepare myself for this journey. A quick side note: if you’re thinking about applying for scholarships, keep the following points in mind:
- You might not be successful on your first attempt, and this is normal and actually might even be a good thing. It fosters perseverance and resilience. I personally know people who applied for Fulbright for 4 times before they succeeded. This doesn’t mean you’re not as qualified as other applicants; it’s a matter of timing and suitability.
- Not winning a scholarship is not the end of the world. While I understand that people who apply for scholarships are emotionally invested in the process, it’s crucial to stay grounded in your present life. I truly love my life and work in Vietnam. My students are my legacy; they’re my proudest achievement.
- Take that leap of faith even when you don’t feel ready. I can’t speak on behalf of this year’s cohort, but at least for me, self-doubt was constantly present throughout the journey. When I was in my early 20s, self-doubt fueled and motivated me to become, in my friends’ and students’ words, the most disciplined person that they have met in their lives. So it did serve me well, but as I’ve become older and probably wiser 😆, I wanted to operate from a more sustainable source of energy, which brings me to my next point.
- Just like a space shuttle, to ascend to a higher altitude, it has to discard its heavy fuel tank. During this journey of self-betterment, I realized that my focus gradually shifted from my own insecurities to people that I care about: my family, my friends, my students, and my communities. I started thinking more about the legacy that I want to leave behind. Once I leave this world, I want to be remembered as an inspiring and dedicated educator, caring son, and a loving partner. I no longer want to become better out of fear; I want to become better so that I can better serve the people that care about.
It has definitely been an emotional roller coaster, constantly alternating between insecurity, uncertainty, and bliss. I might not be able to connect the dots back then, but looking back, everything is so much clearer. I wasn’t selected back then so that I could have been one of the lucky few to experience the PDO in both Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi.
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