Dear Ms Karen, and the Lifestart Foundation,
My name is Le Tien Dat, currently a second-year medical student at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. I am writing to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to Ms Karen and the Lifestart Foundation for selecting me as a recipient of the medical scholarship.
First, I would like to share a little about my family. There are five of us: my parents, my older sister, my younger brother and me. My mother works in a fish processing factory, but my father is no longer able to work. My sister graduated recently and is now employed in an office. My younger brother has just started Year 1. In addition, my elderly grandmother lives next door and requires my mother’s constant care.
From high school until now, I have always held the dream and determination to devote myself fully to study in order to achieve my goal of becoming a doctor and being a dedicated doctor who can use my knowledge to heal my family and others. I consider myself a hardworking and eager learner. During high school, I had to travel more than 20 kilometres each day to attend school while facing both financial and academic pressure, yet I never gave up. Around that time, my father became ill, which placed a heavy emotional and financial burden on my family. My mother had to shoulder all responsibilities, paying university tuition fees for my sister, supporting me while I studied far from home and covering the cost of my father’s ongoing monthly medical treatment. She worked tirelessly without a single day of rest, but her modest income was not enough to cover my university tuition and she had to borrow money from relatives and neighbours so I could continue studying. On top of this, she also had to care for my frail grandmother every day.
To help my family, I worked as a hired labourer picking beans and chillies and in the early mornings I carried beans and vegetables to sell, just to earn enough money for petrol to get to school. Despite these difficulties, I have never thought of giving up. I chose to study medicine because I want to live a meaningful life that brings health and healing to my family, to society and to Vietnam.
However, I know that determination and ambition alone are not enough; I must also face the realities of my situation. At present, my father has completely lost the ability to work due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as coronary artery disease and stomach illness, which have left him bedridden. My family struggles with the ongoing costs of his medical check-ups and medicine which, combined with my high university tuition fees and living expenses. has left my mother constantly worried and exhausted, often borrowing money from relatives and neighbours just to ensure I can continue my studies.
My family can no longer afford the high cost of medical school tuition fees and have had to borrow so that I can continue. There are moments when I worry whether I will be able to stay on this path, but becoming a doctor has always been my greatest aspiration, and I strive every day towards that goal. I do not want to be a burden to my family or add to my mother’s worries, which is why I sought support from the community. I was truly fortunate that, at a time when I did not know how to manage, I found the Lifestart Foundation. That meeting gave me new hope for a future I believe I can pursue confidently thanks to your support.
During the interview at the Lifestart Foundation office in Hoi An, I felt so happy and grateful for the kindness, care and support from the staff. At first, I was extremely anxious, worried that I would not perform well in the interview. But thanks to the encouragement and warm assistance from everyone there, I gained strength and confidence to complete the interview honestly and smoothly. That day left me with many beautiful memories; the staff welcomed us so warmly, encouraged us and even took us out for lunch and drinks. It felt less like a formal interview and more like being part of a loving family. I have always hoped that after that day I would become a member of the Lifestart Foundation family.
When I received the interview results and learned that I had been chosen as a scholarship recipient, my heart skipped a beat and I read the notification email five or six times just to be sure. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. This year, I did not apply for any other scholarships besides the Lifestart Foundation, because I had deep trust that the Lifestart Foundation would become like a home, a family for me and a motivation for me to achieve my dreams. When I received the news, I immediately returned to my boarding house to call my family. I told them that this semester I would have the support of the scholarship and my parents would no longer have to borrow or worry. My parents were overjoyed; my mother’s eyes filled with tears as she heard the news and it was as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. My family and I are truly grateful for such tremendous support at this difficult time.
The scholarship from the Lifestart Foundation for medical students holds extraordinary importance for me and my family. It is a solid foundation and springboard for my future. This support greatly reduces the financial burden on my family and provides me with the motivation to pursue my studies with confidence. The scholarship not only allows me to continue chasing my dream of becoming a doctor without being constantly concerned over tuition fees, but it also gives me hope and belief in the path I have chosen. Thanks to this scholarship, my mother no longer has to desperately borrow to pay for my education and I now carry the strong conviction that I must study to the best of my ability both now and in the future, so that I can soon dedicate myself to society by bringing health and happiness to patients I care for.
My studies over the past year have gone well. This new semester, without the financial strain of tuition fees, my passion for medicine is stronger than ever. I am determined to strive for academic excellence by studying diligently, learning persistently and working effectively. This semester, I will also focus more on English in preparation for the future when I will be more deeply engaged in specialised subjects. In the near future, I plan to strengthen my English skills, organise my timetable effectively so that I can excel in my studies and participate in voluntary activities, contributing to society in any way I can. I will dedicate myself to learning, with the goal of specialising in Cardiology which is a field I am deeply passionate about.
For myself, I have already mapped out the path I want to follow. My plan after graduation is to sit the entrance examination for the residency program in Cardiology at the university. This will broaden my opportunities for learning and strengthen my expertise so that I can provide the best medical care and contribute more meaningfully to Vietnam’s healthcare system. Through the residency program, I will be able to work and study at the same time, something I have always wished for, and apply my knowledge directly in treating patients. This is my firm commitment for the future after graduation.
The driving force that has carried me to this point is nothing other than the desire to contribute to society and to use my own efforts to bring health to others. That spirit will continue to push me forward to a future where I will be a doctor who brings positive value to the community and to Vietnamese medicine. Time and again, I have seen patients in seemingly hopeless conditions brought back to life through the dedicated hands of skilled doctors as well as countless emergencies where lives were saved thanks to the tireless work of the medical team. These are the things that inspire me to stay firmly on the path I have chosen. I chose medicine, I love this profession and I am determined to pursue this goal to the very end. I hope that in the near future, I will complete my program with excellence so that I can support my parents, contribute positively to society and our country and also witness a stronger and more developed Vietnamese healthcare system that provides the best possible care for our people.
In closing, I would like to extend my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to Ms Karen and the Lifestart Foundation for the enormous support given to me and my family. I wish Ms Karen and the Lifestart Foundation continued good health and happiness. I also hope the Foundation will keep growing stronger and reaching further, to continue supporting disadvantaged people and future generations of students with the will to rise above hardship. For my part, I will dedicate myself to studying and striving to achieve the goals I have set, so as not to let you down and in appreciation of the invaluable support I have received. I firmly believe that with perseverance and effort, I will be able to accomplish my current plans and future aspirations.
Yours sincerely,
Le Tien Dat