[ACHIEVEMENT]: "Hey bro, I got into Fulbright!!!!"

Today, I realized that I had completed one of the important things on my list 100 (This is my 100 things that I need to do before I die) which I thought may take a long time for me to achieve!

And this is No.25 "Be a mentor to someone (and directly change his life).

(My full list: https://long8amtqyqn.wixsite.com/longvu25/list-100)

In May, 2019, I decided to establish Study Abroad Together Organization (Cùng Nhau Du Học) with the purpose of sharing opportunities about top universities in the world for Vietnamese students and step-by-step guide them to improve their profile. "Find a mentor, Earn a scholarship" was our first program. It aims to accomplish the main goal of our organization.

One of my mentees is Anh Thu - a student from Ly Tu Trong High School for the Gifted in Can Tho, Vietnam. Reading the application form that Thu sent to us, I felt connected to her and saw hunger in her words that definitely helped her to achieve so much in the future. Anh Thu, to be honest, is an ambitious, sedulous and unassuming person. She always has a very positive outlook on life and never be afraid of asking more questions whenever she didnt understand clearly.

From the girl who didn't know clearly her set of goals and potential, she become one of the successful candidates to join "Hat Giong The Ky" - a fully-funded program financed by American Embassy in Hanoi. After her very first achievement, I encouraged and even dared her to keep trying and finding more opportunities to improve herself. Hence, she decided to establish her first club at school with the intention of helping the others to build self-confidence to be a MC.

One month ago, Thu sent me a text message asking for advice about her college essay. I gave her what I thought and reminded her to try her best, and didnt know that it was useful for her or not. And yesterday, in the quarantine area, I received a text message from Thu, that said "Hey bro, I got into Fulbright with the generous financial aid." I was moved to tears, and yep, it made me speechless. Looking back a nearly whole year that we have tried so hard together and what she have done.

Thu texted me: "You've changed my life more than you can believe". At that moment, I knew Thu has changed and I was so happy about that.

Finally, congratulation on your great achievement, Thu. I wish you all the best of luck for your next adventure with the amazing Fulbright. Once again, thank you for accepting being stuck with me, helping me grow as a person, and letting me be your mentor. I am so proud of you. I can't wait to see what you do next!

01/04/2020

Vietnam