Proud to be HUFLITers #06 | Vo Dao Anh Thy: “Don’t let fear write your story for you”

A declaration at twenty: stepping out of the comfort zone

Anh Thy first touched the wider world on a winter day blanketed in snow in Poznań, Poland. Leaving her family behind to join an exchange programme at Adam Mickiewicz University, everything felt new and disorienting to the K27 student: the language, the way of life, the local culture and the confident manner in which international students there communicated.

But Anh Thy did not turn back. For her, the decision to apply to study abroad was not made in haste; it was a carefully prepared state of mind for breaking the invisible limits she had set for herself.

“I have always believed that youth is the most beautiful time to step out of your comfort zone and explore the world.”

Guided by that belief, Thy went on to win a New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program scholarship at National Quemoy University (Taiwan), adding another bright milestone to the pages of her youth.

“Afraid, and doing it anyway” amid culture shock

Stepping into the real world was no perfect coming-of-age film. In Poland, Thy once felt so out of place that it hurt, after being assigned to a study group with Spanish students. Although she tried to take the initiative to connect and join the discussion, she was almost entirely overlooked as the group gradually switched to speaking only Spanish. “That day I went back to the dormitory and cried, and I thought about giving up. But then I realised I had come such a long way; I could not stop just because it was hard.” The next day, Thy did something she had never dared to do before: she went to her lecturer and asked to change groups so she could find people she connected with.

The “fear” also came from international lecture halls. Thy still vividly remembers her confusion in her very first class when the lecturer suddenly paused the slides and asked: “So, what do you think?”. Watching her international classmates comfortably raise their hands to debate, the young Vietnamese woman could only shrink back. Yet that very moment triggered a new habit that would completely change her: afraid, and doing it anyway.

“Courage is not the absence of fear; it is deciding to move forward while you are still afraid.”

Afraid to speak in front of a class full of international students, yet still raising a trembling hand. Afraid to start a conversation with a stranger, yet still stepping forward to introduce herself. Afraid she was not good enough, yet still throwing herself in. With every “afraid, and doing it anyway” moment, Thy found herself growing a little taller, standing a little firmer.

Growing up through multicultural experiences

Those “afraid, and doing it anyway” efforts brought their first sweet results. From someone timid, Thy gradually grew more confident in the role of a cultural connector.

Anh Thy still remembers the weekend outings and exchanges with international friends in Taiwan. In that open atmosphere, Thy not only explored bustling night markets with her friends but also took the initiative to introduce the beauty of Vietnamese cuisine and traditional dress. The image of the young student flowing in her ao dai, confidently presenting in English on the history of her national costume at a campus exchange event, became a memorable moment marking a clear maturing of her thinking and her presence.

Behind that transformation lay the result of persistent training in a dynamic learning environment.

For Thy, foreign languages were never merely a subject; they became an effective tool for communication. Her poise on stage was also built through repeatedly challenging herself, most notably when she and her teammates won First Prize at the English Drama Competition (BookBurst 2024). These extracurricular activities helped her develop teamwork and public speaking skills. In addition, the University’s support with procedures and guidance gave her greater peace of mind while preparing for her journeys abroad, turning early uncertainty into thorough preparation for integration.

“In an international environment, I am proud not only to be Vietnamese, but also to be a HUFLITer.”

Writing her own story

Returning from those long journeys, the Vo Dao Anh Thy of today is no longer the student who once felt lost about her future. Cultural stumbles and academic pressure have forged a sharper, more confident version of herself who knows exactly what she wants. She is currently learning another new language, ready to open even bigger doors ahead.

To students still hesitating in front of international exchange opportunities, Thy leaves a short but weighty message:

“Don’t let fear write your story for you.”

Your youth belongs to you, and the opportunities are always open at HUFLIT. The only question is whether you dare to raise your hand and say “Yes” even while your legs are still shaking.