Vu Tuan Minh, a 12th grader at Greenfield School Ecopark Campus, has emerged as the winner of the MOU Scholarship—a joint program between British University Vietnam (BUV) and Greenfield School. His 75% scholarship award is valued at nearly 1 billion VND for a three-year Professional Communication degree at BUV.

Minh boasts an impressive academic record: a GPA consistently above 9.0 throughout all three high school years and an IELTS score of 7.5. However, strong grades were merely the foundation to clear the initial screening. What truly set him apart was his distinct identity, reflected through a compelling personal essay and deep reflections drawn from his community projects and extracurricular pursuits.

An essay on a "brilliant" personal journey

Prior to applying to BUV, Minh tested the waters with Yonsei University in South Korea—an experience that yielded valuable lessons and strengthened his overall application strategy. According to Minh, the greatest challenge of the BUV application was crafting a 1,000-word open-ended essay. He struggled with three to four different topics before discovering the right narrative arc.

Minh chose to write about facing his personal fears and how he learned to accept and overcome them. As a child, he was shy and suffered from crowd anxiety. Despite a passion for music, he lacked the courage to sing, and despite a creative drive, he hesitated to express himself.

Having joined his parents on philanthropic trips, Minh was deeply moved by the bright smiles and joy of local residents receiving aid. Yet, a question sparked in his mind: "How can I help others when I haven't even achieved brilliance myself?"

A turning point arrived when Minh was selected to perform in "Nang" (Sunlight)—a community live show organized by the Greenfield Volunteer Club (GVC) to raise funds for building libraries and playgrounds for children in underprivileged highland areas. Standing on stage for the first time served as both catalyst and inspiration, empowering him to step forward into community service.

He became an active member of the SOL Music Club, President of the Glee Music Club, and won several accolades in musical competitions. Furthermore, during his campaign for President of the Greenfield School Student Council for 2025–2026, he was elected Vice President. In this role, he oversaw operations across 20 student clubs and represented nearly 2,000 students.

Reflecting on his journey over fear, Minh realized that what makes him "brilliant" isn't the dazzling spotlight, but rather his ability to connect with people and spread positive values.

"A glare doesn't necessarily have to be a blinding light; it can be a quiet, small, yet steady beam that softly illuminates the path for others. Every one of us can shine brilliantly in our own way," Minh articulated in his essay.

Alongside his personal essay, Minh built an online portfolio website. Showcasing his diverse talents across music, sports, and debate, the portfolio featured products, photographs, and stories tracking his personal evolution over time.

"A portfolio is not just a stage to tell your story effectively; it is the most coherent and striking language to demonstrate the value a candidate can bring to the university," Minh noted. He paid meticulous attention to design and branding, delivering a polished application to the admissions board.

During the interview round, rather than trying to project a image of perfection, Minh chose authenticity, engaging in open discussions and candidly acknowledging both his strengths and areas for growth. His approach paid off, securing him the top MOU scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic year.

"Communicators must maintain kindness in every story they tell"

Enrolling in the Professional Communication program at BUV, Minh aims to refine his professional skills while cultivating empathy and social responsibility. To him, communication extends beyond content creation; it is the art of connecting people through listening and sharing.

Having served as Head of Media for several school clubs—including the English Club and Hype Up Greenfield—Minh consistently strove to build campaigns that foster mutual understanding and human connection.

"Of all my academic subjects, Literature yields my highest GPA. When creating content for clubs, I believe that what touches people's hearts stems from feeling heard and shared. No matter how far I go, I want to preserve sincerity in my storytelling," Minh shared.

Minh believes BUV's international environment will nurture the multidimensional thinking and broad perspectives essential for a media professional. Furthermore, the university emphasizes core values such as resilience, confidence, strategic vision, kindness, and a pioneering spirit—qualities Minh aligned with his personal identity throughout his essay, portfolio, and interview.

Reflecting on his path through academics, community service, and scholarship victory, Minh encourages young people to step out of their comfort zones to discover their passions. He acknowledges experiencing stress and burnout along the way: "When that happens, I allow myself to rest and spend time on my passions—like singing or hanging out with friends who radiate positive energy."

Having spent 12 years at Greenfield School, Minh considers himself fortunate to have grown up in such an environment. To him, Greenfield School provided not only knowledge but also constant encouragement for students to build their own communities. Simple details—from tree-shaded walkways to spacious activity rooms—made him feel a true sense of belonging.

The 2025–2026 scholarship winner aspires to work in media within top entertainment companies after graduating from BUV. Congratulations to Tuan Minh on his outstanding application results, with best wishes for continued success built upon the strong foundation fostered by Greenfield School.