As the year-end approaches, reading stories about family or watching Tet music videos on social media, Le Dinh Diem Mi, a Marketing student from Course 28 of Van Lang University, feels a sense of nostalgia. Since the beginning of 2024, Diem Mi has participated in the international exchange program at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Pasila campus - School for Business and Management.

Opportunity comes to the right person at the right time

After graduating high school, Diem Mi took two gap years to pursue personal interests. After that, she resumed her educational journey at Van Lang University. At the beginning of her second year, Diem Mi accidentally obtained an email introducing the exchange program at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences while researching information about studying abroad in Finland. She was determined to prepare her application to seize this opportunity.

She shared: My family had previously encouraged me to study abroad, but I was not concerned about studying and was chasing my ambition. Until studying at Van Lang University, I identified the correct path and pushed hard to succeed. Studying in Finland was my “opportune decision” to fully invest in my studies and challenge myself to live unimpeded in another country.

As planned, Diem Mi will study alongside students from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences for one semester, taking four courses in the business and marketing field. They will be converted into 20 credits, equivalent to the courses at Van Lang University.

Experiencing Northern Europe

Mi embarks on her learning journey with full excitement and enthusiasm, although adapting to a new environment has never been easy.

Overcoming the freezing weather, shoveling snow, taking the tram to school, cooking on her own, tidying up the dorm room, making new friends, exploring distinctly European landscapes, and learning about the local culture were all first-time experiences that Diem Mi went through in her first month living in Finland.

"Being the only Vietnamese student in this exchange program, I felt overwhelmed in the first week with everything. Moreover, my mom always cared for me, so I sometimes felt lost when I had to cook and clean by myself. But fortunately, everything turned out fine, and I feel like I have adapted quickly and grown much more.", she shared.

Diem Mi also mentioned that whenever she went sightseeing and whatever new experiences she had, she filmed and provided detailed explanations like a "full-time reporter" in Finland to send back to her family. Thanks to those lively videos, the entire family felt closer, understood each other better, and were more at ease with her being away from home.

Overcoming Homesickness

As an international student, Diem Mi has to face the significant challenge of homesickness. 

While in Vietnam, friends are busy preparing for the new year with their families, and she goes to university every day. It can be disheartening, but thanks to her companions, the sense of longing diminishes somewhat. Mi has also connected with some Vietnamese students in Finland to celebrate Tet together.

Sharing about her first Tet holiday away from home, Diem Mi said: “Every year, this is the time when my big family is busy cleaning up, decorating the house, and making banh chung (square sticky rice cake) or banh tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake). This year, I have prepared to celebrate Tet online and will open the camera at home to virtually join my family. Although I miss my family a bit, luckily, I have gradually adapted to the weather, studying time, and made many new friends to not feel lonely in this cold weather.”

After completing the course, she wants to accumulate valuable knowledge, understand more about the cultures of different countries, and learn about the working habits of people in Finland to prepare herself for future studies and work.

The opportunity to participate in the exchange program in Finland has provided precious experiences, helping second-year students mature and gain motivation to overcome upcoming challenges. With confidence, resilience, and an optimistic spirit, it is hoped that Diem Mi will excel in her studies, have a warm spring with new experiences, and spread the positive image of Van Lang University students to the international student community.

For more details:

News: Gia Han
Photos: Diem Mi