Vinsers at Foreign Trade University: Where self-direction becomes the springboard to greater horizons

While their journeys are unique, they share something more fundamental than an impressive list of achievements or leadership roles. They all demonstrate a strong capacity for self-direction—the ability to take ownership of their own growth while navigating new opportunities, challenges, and unfamiliar environments. This quality has become the foundation that enables them to continually expand their horizons while creating meaningful value for the organisations and communities around them.

From Being Proactive to Self-Direction

For Tran Thi Van Anh, every new environment presents an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. She is currently part of the Management Trainee Programme at TAL, a Hong Kong-headquartered global apparel manufacturer, where future leaders are developed through a highly competitive rotational programme.

Working across multiple departments, Van Anh has taken on diverse organisational challenges—from talent acquisition and talent development initiatives to human resource management in large-scale manufacturing operations. Each rotation demands adaptability, systems thinking, and a strong sense of ownership. Rather than waiting for direction, she actively seeks to understand each new environment, learns from colleagues, and develops her own approach to solving problems.

“Vinschool taught me to look for solutions instead of waiting for answers. That mindset has become one of my greatest strengths in the workplace, where every day brings a new challenge,” Van Anh shared.

While Van Anh chose to challenge herself in a global corporate environment, Tran Thu Trang has continuously stepped beyond her comfort zone by embracing a wide range of real-world experiences. Throughout university, she explored roles in sales, marketing, agency account management, nonprofit organisations, and later served as Executive Assistant for External Relations after graduating with First Class Honours from the University of the West of England, delivered through FTU’s international partnership programme. Alongside her professional journey, she is also pursuing the CFA Level I qualification.

What distinguishes Trang’s journey is not simply the breadth of experiences she has accumulated, but her willingness to step into unfamiliar environments with an open mind, embracing each opportunity as a chance to learn and grow.

“At Vinschool, I was encouraged to speak up, make mistakes, and learn from them. It was a safe environment where I could express my opinions without fear of being judged, experiment with new ideas, and grow through every experience. That gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and embrace new opportunities,” Trang reflected.

Meanwhile, Cu Thi Nhu Quynh has broadened her horizons by pursuing academically rigorous international experiences. During university, she proactively joined a student exchange programme at Niagara University in the United States, where she achieved an outstanding GPA of 3.93/4.0 and earned a place on the Dean’s List.

She later received the prestigious AIMS Scholarship to study at Hannam University in South Korea—an international mobility programme jointly supported by universities and Ministries of Education across Asia for high-achieving students. Alongside these opportunities, Quynh pursued undergraduate research, passed CFA Level I, achieved an IELTS score of 8.5, and graduated with Highest Distinction.

Behind these accomplishments is a sustained commitment to long-term goals and a willingness to continually place herself in increasingly challenging environments where she could deepen her learning and continue growing.

From Self-Direction to Creating Meaningful Impact

As they continue to strengthen their capacity for self-direction, these Vinschool alumni are also making meaningful contributions to their universities, workplaces, and wider communities.

As Project Leader for the X-Culture Project, Van Anh led a multicultural team comprising members from different countries to develop a business strategy for a Canadian company. The greatest challenge lay not in the technical aspects of the project, but in bringing together diverse perspectives, building collaboration across cultures, and guiding the team towards a shared goal. Today, she continues to apply the same mindset as a Management Trainee at TAL, taking ownership of key human resources initiatives and creating tangible value for the organisation from the very beginning of her career.

For Trang, creating impact means expanding opportunities for others. As Head of Communications and External Relations at iVolunteer Vietnam, she contributes to developing communication strategies, building partnerships, and advancing community projects that benefit young people. Beyond her professional work, she shares insights on learning, personal growth, and career development through her TikTok channel, @chayglowup, which has attracted more than 11,000 followers. Through this platform, she hopes to inspire and support young people as they explore their own academic and professional pathways.

For Quynh, impact begins with a commitment to lifelong learning and a willingness to give back. Alongside pursuing ambitious academic goals, she actively supports younger students by sharing guidance on scholarship applications, international exchange programmes, and opportunities to access global learning experiences, helping them navigate their own educational journeys with greater confidence.

Looking across the journeys of these three Vinschool alumni, one message stands out: meaningful leadership begins with self-direction. Their willingness to take ownership of their own growth, embrace unfamiliar challenges, pursue ambitious goals with perseverance, and contribute positively to those around them has enabled them not only to realise their own potential but also to create meaningful impact wherever they go.

These are the very capabilities Vinschool seeks to nurture through a learning environment that empowers every student to take ownership of their learning, think independently, and grow with purpose. From university campuses to international workplaces, these foundations continue to equip Vinschool alumni with the confidence to pursue new opportunities, create lasting impact, and continually expand the boundaries of their own potential.

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As part of the annual #Alumni_Corner series, #Alumni_Corner 2025–2026 returns to spotlight the academic journeys, career pathways, and personal growth of Vinschool alumni studying at leading universities in Vietnam and around the world. From technology and business to applied research, each story reflects the curiosity, scientific mindset, and commitment to lifelong learning that lie at the heart of Vinschool’s holistic educational approach. Follow #Alumni_Corner on Vinschool’s Facebook page and website to discover more inspiring stories of Vinschool alumni as they continue to reach new heights.

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