Vietnamese student secures 4 master's scholarships in Europe

As a former valedictorian from the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Linh graduated in logistics and supply chain management under the university's international career-oriented program.

Linh had dreamed of studying in the United States since high school. 

However, that dream was put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global mobility in 2020.

Instead of giving up, she chose to study in Vietnam, using the time to gain experience, hone her academic capabilities, and prepare thoroughly for postgraduate scholarship applications.

“Education is a lifelong journey,” Linh shared, explaining what kept her motivated.

Encouragement from her family also played a vital role. Both her parents are in academia, and her mother began her master’s degree after turning 40, which served as a profound inspiration.

The pause in her study-abroad dream allowed her to better understand herself, clarify her aspirations, and solidify her resolve.

“A delay doesn’t mean giving up,” she said.

“Sometimes, you need to take a step back to see the road ahead more clearly and go further."

Purposeful preparation

From her first year at university, Linh knew she wanted to pursue a path in research, so she maintained excellent academic results, participated actively in scientific research, and built a solid academic foundation.

This clarity and seriousness made her scholarship applications stand out to selection committees.

Linh was a class monitor and a member of the university's logistics club, often helping organize events at the Institute of International Economics and Business of the university.

These extracurricular activities helped her build leadership and organizational skills, contributing significantly to her well-rounded scholarship profile.

“Extracurricular activities expanded my network and developed my skills,” she shared.

Mission-driven essay on Vietnam’s agricultural supply chain

Among the four offers, Linh chose to attend Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands, which is ranked among the world’s best for agricultural studies, according to the QS World University Rankings.

Her decision was driven not only by the institution's reputation but also by its research-oriented master’s program, which aligns with her long-term goal of contributing to sustainable development, particularly in agriculture.

To win the prestigious Wageningen University Fellowship Program, Linh developed a detailed research proposal and a compelling personal essay, with a focus on building a sustainable agricultural supply chain for Vietnam.

Drawing from her observations of Vietnam’s post-harvest losses, insufficient cold storage infrastructure, and inefficient logistics, Linh proposed practical, research-based solutions for improving competitiveness in the global market.

“Vietnam has great agricultural potential, but the post-harvest loss rate is too high,” she explained.

“I want to study abroad so that I can return with practical solutions to these systemic issues.”

Consistency, determination

Ngan Tran, founder of the Scholarship Mentor Hub and an Erasmus Mundus alumna, said that Linh stood out for her clear goals and thoughtful preparation.

“Linh is serious, consistent, and highly self-aware in her approach,” she said.

Linh’s strength lies in her quiet determination.

Even after earning recognition, she continued researching and giving back through community involvement.

In her second year of university, she co-authored five research projects, with four in English and one presented at the 2023 ICYREB International Conference.

In addition to the Wageningen University Fellowship Program, Linh also secured the Eric Bleumink Fellowship from the University of Groningen, the BI Presidential Scholarship from BI Norwegian Business School, and the NL Scholarship from the University of Twente in the Netherlands.