Yogyakarta, 18 September 2024─Vu Minh Anh, an international student of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM, has been awarded the Yenching Academy Scholarship from Peking University. She was chosen as one of 106 scholarship recipients selected from 3,000 applicants. This achievement is undoubtedly very proud, considering that Vu Minh was also previously a recipient of the FIAS scholarship at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM.
Vu Minh’s interest in diplomacy led her to start an advanced degree in International Relations at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia. During her studies, she actively interned at the ASEAN Secretariat and became a liaison between UGM seminars and academic and international organisations. Vu Minh wrote her thesis on corruption and the political system in China and Vietnam. Her desire to deepen political science in international affairs inspired her to continue studying, and she chose Peking University through the Yenching Academy Program in Politics and International Relations.
Vu Minh officially graduated from the International Undergraduate Programs (IUP) class of International Relations at the undergraduate level in May 2024. She graduated with 1,423 other UGM undergraduate graduates. Through her speech, she was happy to be able to continue her education outside her country and successfully received the cum laude title. “Stepping into Indonesia for the first time was a memorable experience. There are many differences in language, culture, and learning environment, but I can adapt to all of them. I made the best decision by stepping out of my comfort zone,” she said.
According to Vu Minh, even though Indonesia is not the main place to continue education, her experience proves that choosing to study abroad provides engaging experiences, forms an adaptive character, and dares to take challenges. Vu Minh admitted that she was initially worried about the environment, which differed significantly from his home country. However, after four years of study, Vu Minh feels she has learned much besides studying.
“I have to admit that I also had some uncertainties at the beginning of my journey. Without my decision to study at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM, I would not have so many lessons to learn, friends to meet, and adventures to live,” she said. She is grateful for the assistance from the campus that provides various programs to help her adapt, such as orientation programs, cultural introductions, and community service programs.
The FIAS UGM scholarship obtained by Vu Minh is an initiative of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM to provide study opportunities at UGM for overseas students, especially from ASEAN countries and Timor Leste. This program is open to students in three study programs: the Department of International Relations, the Department of Public Policy and Management, and the Department of Communication Science. Students will receive full funding for tuition fees, monthly pocket money, and cultural programs.
“I have heard many people say that the Faculty is one of the most progressive and liberal teaching methods, and I agree with them. All of my lecturers are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to help students in their academic journey,” she explained enthusiastically.
Four years of learning have shaped her into a strong and risk-taking person. Vu Minh is known as a student who is always enthusiastic and even willing to learn about other countries’ cultures. For her, big decisions must always be made to succeed at every step. Go Big or Go Home is the principle Vu Minh holds tightly to at every step.
This time, Vu Minh welcomes her journey to study with the Yenching Academy Scholarship at Peking University. The program is designed to provide education for international students from mainland China and many other countries. Vu Minh will begin her master’s studies in September, right in the fall. Vu Minh hopes to develop a more in-depth view of the relationship between corruption and development. She aspires to work in international affairs or government after graduation to improve intergovernmental relations, especially Vietnam-China diplomatic relations. As one of the alums, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM fully supports Vu Minh in successfully pursuing his master’s degree at Peking University.