Bachelor of Psychology Student Hoang Tam Nhu Nguyen from Vietnam Shares Her Journey of Studying at York University, Canada

My name is Hoang Tam, Nhu Nguyen. Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, I am currently pursuing a BA in Psychology at York University in Toronto. My journey into the field was inspired by the educators I encountered throughout my youth. They have fueled my passion for supporting others, specifically children, and my goal is to leverage my studies to help young people navigate their daily lives with resilience and support.

President’s International Scholarship of Excellence Details

I am a recipient of the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence (PISE) at York University. This is a scholarship for international students, totaling CA$180,000 over four years (distributed as CA$45,000 annually) if I can maintain a good academic standing.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Dean's Distinction Scholarship (80% of tuition fees, about 2,610,720,000 VND for 4 years): VinUniversity, Hanoi, Vietnam

Russia Government Scholarship (fully-funded + stipend, amount depending on the program): HSE University, Moscow, Russia

Educational Background

I graduated from Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the Gifted in Vietnam. During my studies there, I maintained a GPA between 9.7 and 9.9 each year. The subjects I studied were not much different from what was taught at any other school, but being a student at such a highly-regarded school has opened up many opportunities, such as volunteering, practicing leadership, competing in various contests, and meeting so many wonderful teachers and peers. I was also lucky enough that my homeroom teacher was a PhD candidate in Psychology (as of now, she is a PhD), so she provided me with a lot of insights into the field.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to York University?

I connected with IDP, an education agent in my country, to get information about studying abroad in Canada, and was introduced to my university through them. They helped me a lot (for free), so I would advise reaching out to an agent if you have access to one. If not, I usually search on Google using keywords like [name of institution/country + scholarship/financial aid].

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I took the IELTS as it was an English proficiency requirement. My advice would be to focus on becoming comfortable with English, rather than just mastering the test itself. I listened to my favorite shows without subtitles, talked to myself, and chatted with my friends in English until I no longer felt pressure using the language. That way, you will not only do well on the test but also find it easier to blend in when using the language in real life.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the President’s International Scholarship of Excellence?

To prepare for applying for scholarships, I focused on several key areas. I engaged in a lot of volunteer work from the beginning of high school to understand myself better and actively sought leadership positions, while maintaining a high GPA throughout. I also asked for advice from teachers and mentors who knew me well, trying to maintain a good relationship with them, and I was fortunate that their letters of recommendation were extremely helpful. When it came to essays, I spent time reflecting deeply on my experiences and connecting them together in a coherent narrative. Honesty and consistency were my guiding principles, and I found it very helpful to ask peers and others for feedback to gain different perspectives and improve my writing.

How Is (was) Your Experience at York University?

Honestly, I just love it so much. Because I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology instead of a Bachelor of Science, I get to choose general education courses and electives that help me develop as a whole person. I have gained many insights that I have never thought about before; I get to learn courses from other majors, all of my professors and TAs are welcoming, there are several events to attend, and I just don’t have any reason not to love the experience.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think the key is how I connect my experiences with my motivation and future goals. When writing about my future goals, I didn’t just describe the occupation I wanted; I also explained what I observed about my field in my country and what I had already done to contribute to it. Overall, it’s the consistency throughout the essay that matters. Extracurricular activities were also vital. For my scholarship application, I was only allowed to choose three, so it was important to select those that truly connected to me and complemented each other. I applied the same principle to my letters of recommendation, making sure every piece of material supported and reinforced the others.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Not much, actually. I believe that only because I made mistakes in my previous applications was I able to create such a strong application in the end. However, I would tell myself to start earlier and manage my time more effectively.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

I think many students don’t really know what they truly want in their first year of high school, and many panic in senior year because they feel unprepared for their applications. My advice is this: you are who you are today because of the experiences you’ve had. These experiences have shaped your identity, and your task is to understand yourself and connect everything together; that connection is what makes a strong application. Even though I shared that I had been involved in clubs since my first year, I didn’t join them with the intention of studying abroad. I also didn’t include every activity that I had in my application, even though they might seem to make my application stronger. In fact, in my essay, I even included the fan page I created for my favorite (and very unpopular) character, and I was able to connect it to my desire to make people happy. So, trust yourself and your experiences; they are your strongest foundation.