Dear Karen and everyone at the Lifestart Foundation,

I would like to send my warmest greetings and my deepest thanks to you and the entire Lifestart Foundation team. You have stood by me, supported me and lifted me up throughout my educational journey from my earliest school days right through to the day I officially stepped out of university.

My name is Nhu Quynh. I have just graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration from Foreign Trade University. I am one of the fortunate students to have received the Lifestart Foundation scholarship since Year 8 which means I have been connected with the scholarship program for eight years now. It’s been long enough for me to truly understand that I have grown and changed thanks to the invaluable support from you and the Lifestart Foundation.

Last year was the most important and demanding stage of my education and my final year at university. I completed my graduation thesis with a score of 8.3 and also finished my internship at Glints Vietnam as a Talent Consultant. During this time, I had the chance to assist business clients with recruitment. Though it lasted only two months, that time taught me many important skills like negotiation, communication and professional workplace conduct. I am truly grateful to my colleagues at Glints for their generous guidance and support; it was an incredibly valuable and memorable experience. I also feel honoured and happy to have officially graduated with distinction. For me, this is a well-deserved achievement after months of relentless effort and perseverance through challenges.

I am currently working in the Human Resources department at Wincommerce as an HR Business Partner. This role fits perfectly with the career path I have dreamed of since my first year at university. At this stage of my career, I plan to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for 3 to 5 years to build experience and develop my skills before returning to my hometown to advance my career and be closer to my family.I also have goals to study for language certificates like IELTS in the near future and to broaden my knowledge in fields I love such as Education and Psychology. During my university years, the tutoring I did helped me discover a special passion for education. Moreover, knowledge in education and psychology will greatly support my current work in Human Resources. I believe learning is a limitless journey and gaining knowledge in many areas will open up even more career opportunities.

Looking back on my journey, I am deeply moved when I think about where I started. My family had only my mother as the main breadwinner, who single-handedly raised and educated me and my two siblings. My dad’s health is fragile, with recurring illnesses that interrupt his work. Despite this, he pushes himself to work whenever he can, hoping to earn a little extra income to support the family, but our financial situation remains unstable and uncertain. Although all three of us siblings love learning, our family’s economic circumstances meant we were unable to cover extra classes, books or necessary school supplies. There were times when my dreams felt distant because of these financial barriers. But it was during those hard times that the Lifestart Foundation scholarship came like a helping hand at just the right moment, pulling me out of worry and uncertainty and making me feel I was not alone on my journey towards knowledge. The day I found out I had received the scholarship, I was overwhelmed with joy, excitement and hope. It was more than just good news; it was a bright light and a huge encouragement for both me and my family.

Thanks to the scholarship, I gained more confidence and motivation to keep studying, to pursue my dreams and to dare to dream even bigger. I was able to study what I love without the constant worry of financial struggles. The scholarship taught me to believe in my own worth, to trust my ability to overcome adversity and to appreciate the power of perseverance.

Over the past eight years, I have received a great deal of practical support from the Lifestart Foundation. Financially, the scholarship covered all my tuition fees from Year 8 to Year 12, including both school tuition and extra classes as well as costs for study materials and books. During my four years at university, the support continued with tuition and living expenses in Ho Chi Minh City. Beyond financial help, I also received invaluable career guidance that gave me confidence in choosing my major and planning my personal development. I often received meaningful gifts during special occasions. At Tet, my family was given rice and essential goods by the Foundation. These gifts always came as a wonderful surprise and brought immense happiness because they made Tet feel complete and warm. As prices often rise at this time, my family used to worry about food and expenses. So, these gifts didn’t just provide peace of mind, but also real economic value and I am truly grateful for that. Not only at Tet, but each summer before the new school year, the Foundation organised fun activities and opportunities to connect with other scholarship recipients. One of my most precious memories with Lifestart was a meaningful Day Out I was lucky to attend. That day we set off early, excited to visit a shopping centre for games and a movie, then we went to a bookstore where I could freely read books. The trip continued to the beach where we played in the waves and enjoyed the fresh air. Between fun times, we shared delicious meals and heartfelt advice from older students. Those experiences not only expanded my knowledge and friendships but also gave me the chance to enjoy and explore life without worrying about financial issues. For a country girl like me back then, those were truly priceless moments that created beautiful memories I will always cherish.

Without the support of the Lifestart Foundation, my educational journey might never have reached where it is today. I might have had to put my studies on hold to help my family and may not have had the chance to attend a prestigious university like Foreign Trade University. Furthermore, I might not have had the courage to dream of a bright future. For me, the scholarship is more than financial aid, it is a great spiritual encouragement and a springboard that helped me break through and achieve what I once thought was impossible. This support has also transformed my family. My parents no longer worry so much about our education and are happier and more at ease. We have all grown, learning to appreciate our parents’ hard work and to treasure the educational opportunities we have been given.

I sincerely thank you and the entire Lifestart Foundation team for always standing by me with love and support throughout my growth. Your help has not only enabled me to realise my dreams but also given me faith in humanity and kindness and made me realise that the world is full of compassionate and loving hearts. I promise to live well, keep learning, work responsibly and share the blessings I have received with those around me, so the love I have been lucky to receive today will continue to spread in the future.

Once again, I wish you and all the Lifestart Foundation team good health, happiness and may you continue to be a shining inspiration and guiding light for countless students like me.

With deepest respect and gratitude,

Vo Thi Nhu Quynh