Aalto University Scholar, Khanh Nguyen from Vietnam, Studies International Business with a Full Tuition Scholarship in Finland

My name is Khanh Nguyen, and I come from a small, lovely city in central Vietnam. I’m a final year Bachelor’s of International Business student at Aalto University. I’m currently doing my exchange at the Prague University of Economics and Business.

I chose to study International Business at Aalto because I see education as the most reliable way to build financial security and access opportunities beyond my home country. Finland’s reputation for high-quality, inclusive education and its strong support for entrepreneurship made it the ideal choice for me. The International Business program at Aalto has provided me with both technical knowledge and a global perspective. It also connects directly to the Master’s track at Aalto, making higher education more accessible while offering continued scholarship support.

Aalto University Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Aalto University Scholarship, a merit-based award that grants a 100% tuition fee waiver for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s track (3+2 years). The scholarship covers tuition worth approximately 12,000 EUR per academic year.

Educational Background

I applied directly after high school, where I graduated with a GPA of 9.3/10 and majored in English. While GPA mattered for some universities I applied to, standardized tests (SAT) were the key factor for Aalto.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Aalto University?

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Institutions?

I researched universities by considering the best countries for education, admission criteria, and my financial budget.

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

Most of my preparation focused on the SAT, back when it was still a traditional pen-and-paper test, so my experience differs from current test prep methods. I reviewed my Math knowledge and adapted Vietnamese problem-solving methods to the American style. Interestingly, the difference in notation led to my mistake during the exam: I confused the decimal point “.” with the multiplication sign “×,” since in Vietnam “.” is often used to indicate multiples and “x” typically represents a variable.

For the Writing section, my English major background allowed me to navigate grammar-focused questions effectively. The Reading section posed the biggest challenge, especially texts on philosophy, history, and natural sciences. As someone with a short attention span, I set daily reading targets, focused on my weaker themes, and maintained a learning diary to track progress and mistakes. After three months of preparation, I achieved a SAT score of 1530.

In addition, I took the IELTS test with minimal preparation, relying mostly on my existing English skills, and earned a score of 8.0, which was sufficient for the applications I was pursuing at the time.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Aalto University Scholarship?

I applied for the scholarship through the same application portal as the university application. Since the scholarship did not require essays, I only prepared my transcripts, diploma, IELTS certificate, and sent my SAT scores. Most of my effort went into achieving these scores.

How is (was) Your Experience at Aalto University?

My program followed a 3-week module structure with only two class groups, so most courses were taken with the same classmates. This setup allowed us to build a close-knit community and form lasting friendships. Overall, the two years provided valuable education and personal growth.

How Do You Rate Aalto University Academically and Why?

The courses were quite intensive due to the 3-week module format instead of a semester-long module. We also had visiting faculty who are excellent instructors in their fields. This provided a top-notch quality of teaching and a rich academic experience.

How Does Aalto University Support International Students?

The university is extremely welcoming and accommodating to international students. Classes and activities are designed to be inclusive and engaging. We even had mandatory courses on international and intercultural competencies, which helped foster an embracing attitude among all students. The university actively listens to students, organizing workshops on coping with culture shock and “beating the winter blues” in Finland. They are also responsive to feedback, implementing changes promptly whenever concerns are raised.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Finnish?

All classes are in English

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically, Not Knowing Finnish?

I don’t think so. Finnish people have a high level of English proficiency, so almost everyone can speak English, even in small towns. This makes daily life, like shopping or dining out, easy to navigate. Additionally, Finland has a large international student community, so you won’t feel left out, and there are many inclusive and engaging events to join. However, if your goal is to work in Finland, the language could be a barrier depending on the field and type of job.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

The school awards scholarships to students based on the highest SAT scores, so having a high SAT score was the main reason my application stood out.

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

I might have chosen a different major. This program was in the Mikkeli campus, which limited opportunities for International Business students. However, the school plans to move the program to the main campus in Helsinki in the upcoming year, which will make it more convenient for future students.

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

Focus on achieving a high GPA and strong standardized test scores from early on, as these are the main criteria for selection. Make sure your academic records are complete and submit all required documents on time. Preparing early and keeping track of deadlines will make the process smoother and reduce unnecessary stress.