DAV students share their experiences of being selected for student exchange programs with partner universities

In recent years, student exchange programs at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV), in collaboration with many prestigious universities around the world, have opened up valuable opportunities for DAV students to study and live in international environments. Through these programs, students are able to experience diverse cultures while gaining meaningful and practical knowledge and skills that will benefit their academic journeys and future careers.

To offer prospective students a fresh perspective on DAV’s exchange programs, the Admissions Counseling Team of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam invites you to listen to the stories shared by students who have had the chance to take part in this special opportunity!

Le Minh Hanh - Exchange Student at Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)

During your time studying and living in a new country, what kind of experiences did you have?

“Hello everyone, my name is Minh Hanh. I am currently a second-year student majoring in International Communication at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam.

Speaking about my six-month exchange experience at Chulalongkorn University, I would describe it as both exciting and unfamiliar. It was exciting because I had the chance to engage with a new culture in Thailand and learn many interesting things at Chulalongkorn University. At the same time, it felt unfamiliar because everything happened so unexpectedly for me. From the time I applied to the moment I officially started the semester, there were only a few months, so I had to quickly adapt to the new environment in Thailand in order to study effectively. I am truly grateful to the lecturers of the Faculty of Communication and External Culture in particular, and the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam as a whole, for giving me this precious opportunity!”

Dinh Nguyen Quynh Chau - Exchange Student at Sungshin Women’s University (Korea)

Through which channel did you learn about the exchange application? How do you evaluate the opportunities for studying abroad offered by the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam?

“Hello everyone, my name is Dinh Nguyen Quynh Chau, a student of class TT47C1, majoring in International Communication.

I learned about the exchange application through the fanpage “Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam Information Channel”, as well as through an Outlook email containing the application form. In my opinion, the number of exchange opportunities at the Academy is still relatively limited, and being selected to participate in an exchange program is truly an extremely valuable experience. In addition to experiencing educational programs in other countries with courses on culture and communication, I also had the opportunity to experience Korean daily life and culture. These opportunities bring so many new and exciting experiences: they inspire me to improve my Korean language skills, help me expand my international network of friends, allow me to explore and appreciate new landscapes, and enable me to better absorb specialized knowledge through practical extracurricular and cultural activities.”

Nguyen Vu Thu Diem - Exchange Student at Sungshin Women’s University (Korea)

How were the knowledge and experience you gained at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam applied in a completely new environment, specifically at Sungshin Women’s University?

“Hello everyone, my name is Nguyen Vu Thu Diem, from class TT46C, majoring in International Communication.

In my view, the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam has equipped me with sufficient knowledge and skills so that when I had the opportunity to study in an international environment, I did not feel overwhelmed. The first and most important skill, in my opinion, is communication. In a multicultural environment like Sungshin University, integration may seem easy but is actually quite challenging. However, the dynamic environment at the Academy helped me become more confident and open-minded, making everything feel more manageable. Another important aspect is knowledge, both specialized knowledge and foreign language skills. I feel very fortunate to have learned such valuable content at the Academy, and I also found that the curricula of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and Sungshin Women’s University share many similarities. Overall, the Academy has helped me become more “well-grounded” in many aspects throughout my studies at Sungshin.”

Le My Han - Exchange Student at Sungshin Women’s University (Korea)

To have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program, what preparations did you make during your studies and personal development at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam?

“Hello everyone, my name is Le My Han. I am a second-year student majoring in International Communication and currently an exchange student in the Spring 2023 exchange program between the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and Sungshin Women’s University in Korea.

Recognizing that the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam is an environment that offers numerous opportunities, I have always tried to develop myself in order to seize them, especially after learning about the exchange program between the Academy and Sungshin Women’s University in advance. First of all, I always maintained a strong focus on my academic performance. From individual assignments to group projects, I worked with a serious attitude to achieve the best possible results. In addition, I study Korean as my second foreign language at the Academy, so even though Diplomatic English, my first foreign language, was already quite challenging, I still made every effort to study Korean diligently as well. Besides academics, in order to further develop my skills and immerse myself in the Academy’s dynamic environment, I actively participated in various activities, programs, and clubs in different roles to connect, learn, and accumulate experience. Perhaps it was these academic achievements and extracurricular efforts that helped me earn the opportunity to take part in this exchange experience between the two institutions, in a country that I have always loved!”

Do Nhat Mai - Exchange Student at Sungshin Women’s University (Korea)

For K50 Wannabes, the opportunity to study abroad is certainly a topic of great interest. Do you have any advice for students who dream of entering the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and, further, wish to take part in its exchange programs?

“Hello everyone, my name is Nhat Mai. I am a student of class TTQT48C1 A and one of the fortunate students selected to participate in the exchange program between the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and Sungshin Women’s University this spring semester.

The Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam is a wonderful environment where students can learn and fully develop their potential, especially with opportunities to study abroad for one or two semesters. For K50 Wannabes who aspire to become exchange students selected by the Academy, I would like to share a few words of advice.

First, set clear goals. Think carefully about what you want to do, which exchange program you wish to join, and what you hope to gain from it. The clearer your goals are, the better choices you can make regarding your destination country, while also maintaining your motivation throughout the journey.

Second, always be ready to learn and maintain a humble, receptive attitude. Entering university, you may initially feel overwhelmed by “peer pressure”, I experienced that too. However, after nearly two years of studying and personal growth, I realized that this pressure, combined with a willingness to learn, has helped me progress significantly, especially when participating in an exchange program alongside talented and confident students from many different countries.

Third, and this is my final piece of advice, besides studying diligently in class to improve your GPA, do not forget to actively participate in extracurricular activities. These experiences not only help you develop comprehensively in terms of both foundational knowledge and social skills, but they also serve as a strong advantage for your application when applying for an exchange program.”

Contact information:
- Hotline: 0943.482.840 or 0936.018.433
- Email: tuyensinhhvng@dav.edu.vn
- Website: https://www.dav.edu.vn
- Fanpage: Tư vấn Tuyển sinh Học viện Ngoại giao (Admissions Counseling of Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam)