M.Sc. Business Intelligence Student Nhien Le from Vietnam Shares His Journey of Studying at Dalarna University, Sweden

My name is Nhien Le, a Data Analyst working in People Analytics in Vietnam. This is a short story about the journey I went through to receive the fully funded SISGP (SI Scholarship for Global Professionals) from the Swedish government for the Master’s program in Business Intelligence at Dalarna University.

Why I Decided to Study Abroad

Youth is an ideal time to accumulate experiences and create value. My university years were quite unique because instead of focusing primarily on academics, I actively engaged in extracurricular activities, especially with AIESEC. I started as a member of the Finance team, then progressed through roles in Talent Management, Local President, and eventually joined the National Team.

That four-year journey helped me develop a wide range of skills, transforming me from an inexperienced youngster into someone confident and deeply aware of my own value. Together with my teammates, I contributed to a meaningful positive impact in developing people both inside and outside the organization. Those experiences made my student years truly fulfilling and meaningful.

After more than two years in the workforce as a Data Analyst, I began to realize that my concerns were gradually narrowing to daily tasks that brought little genuine meaning to myself or to those around me. I knew I would regret it if the rest of my youth were confined to that routine. So I decided to step out into the world, seek new experiences, capture the passion of youth, and continue growing. That was when the dream of studying abroad was born.

Beginning the Search for Study-Abroad Opportunities

I started this plan in November 2024. The first step was choosing a field of study. Initially, I was very interested in Data Science, but my bachelor’s degree in International Business did not meet the prerequisites at most universities due to missing math, statistics, and IT credits.

After researching further, I realized that Business Analytics and Business Intelligence were the perfect intersection of business knowledge and the data analysis skills I had developed through work experience.

Choosing a Country and University

My first criterion when choosing a study destination was affordability. Initially, I focused on Italy and Germany - two countries known for relatively low education costs in Europe. I also considered countries offering fully funded government scholarships with timelines that suited my plan, such as Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia - although I didn’t expect much given the intense competition from highly accomplished applicants worldwide.

The Turning Point

As mentioned earlier, I initially didn’t expect to win a scholarship because I didn’t see my profile as especially outstanding. That changed when I received an IELTS score of 8.0 at the end of 2024.

In reality, IELTS scores are not the most decisive factor in scholarship selection, but that result became a major turning point. It gave me a huge boost in confidence and motivation to pursue scholarships seriously.

Preparing My SISGP Scholarship Application

When applying for any scholarship, the first question that came to mind was:

“Why would they invest such a large amount of money in me?”

I carefully reviewed official SISGP materials to understand their vision, selection criteria, application process, and documentation requirements. I also learned from experience-sharing videos by previous scholarship recipients to better understand important nuances.

My main strategy was to clearly and consistently demonstrate personal values related to leadership, professional experience, academic direction, and long-term contributions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Instead of choosing academic professors, I asked two leaders I had worked closely with to write my recommendation letters. They understood my growth and capabilities firsthand and could provide persuasive, authentic evaluations.

The SISGP application requires a high level of specificity and conciseness. I spent significant time drafting and refining my materials to ensure that strengths were demonstrated through real stories and measurable outcomes. On February 24th - two days before the deadline - my application was completed, signed, stamped by my company, and submitted.

The Moment Everything Changed

At the end of March, I received admission results from universities and was rejected by two out of three due to the prerequisite requirements. Fortunately, I was accepted into the Business Intelligence program at Dalarna University - my top choice.

Then, after experiencing disappointment from not receiving the GOI-IES scholarship (Ireland), everything changed late at night on April 25th. At 11 PM, an email from the Swedish Institute arrived.

I had officially been awarded the SISGP scholarship.

In that moment, emotions overflowed - surprise, joy, gratitude, and disbelief. From that second onward, I knew my future was opening into a new chapter I had never imagined.

Lessons From This Journey

After what turned out to be a relatively short scholarship application journey, I came to realize a few things:

• I risked very little, yet gained so much. That’s why every opportunity is worth trying - far better than holding back out of fear of taking action.
• Every effort and experience, past or present, carries meaning and becomes the foundation for new opportunities.
• If you’re nurturing a dream of your own, I sincerely hope you get to see it come true.

Detailed Information

Scholarship Details: SISGP 2025, Master’s programme in Business Intelligence at Dalarna University, Sweden (English language)

Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in International Business at Can Tho University, Vietnam

Professional Background: 3-year experience as a Data Analyst

How Do You Rate the Institution Academically and Why?

I would rate it 7.5 out of 10. The academic foundation is solid, particularly for students who are new to the data science field, as the curriculum is structured and accessible. However, I believe the program could benefit from a more demanding and industry-oriented depth to better prepare students for real-world applications.

Additionally, I would welcome a more proactive and academically driven student culture. A more competitive and engaged learning environment could further elevate the overall academic experience and encourage deeper collaboration and growth.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

•  Leadership experience was a major strength in my application. I built over four years of leadership experience in AIESEC. Alongside this, I worked as a Data Analyst & Talent Acquisition Supervisor, managing a STEM recruitment team. My recommendation letters highlighted concrete impact - leading 150+ members, organizing 60+ events reaching over 3,000 students, steering organizational restructuring during COVID-19, mentoring youth leaders, and driving technology adoption and process automation to improve operational efficiency.

• Consistent professional trajectory: a strong alignment between my academic background, work experience, and chosen field of study. A foundation in International Business and organizational leadership built my business perspective, while my role as a Data Analyst deepened my expertise in data analytics and automation. This blend of business knowledge and technical capability created a coherent path that directly supports my pursuit of a Master’s in Business Intelligence.

• Value-driven future orientation: a demonstration of commitment to contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. I emphasized how I intend to apply data analytics and business intelligence to real societal challenges - such as mitigating workforce disruption from AI and improving digital literacy among young professionals and small businesses in Vietnam - aligning personal goals with the scholarship’s mission.

• Cohesive and evidence-based application: The entire application was designed to be clear, specific, and internally consistent. My CV, motivation letter, and recommendation letters reinforced one another through measurable achievements and real-world examples, showcasing a leadership mindset and professional capability. This narrative coherence helped present a persuasive and credible profile to the SISGP selection committee.