Dear Ms. Karen and Everyone at the Lifestart Foundation,
My name is Nguyen Thi Anh Tram, a recent graduate of the General Medicine program at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University. As I celebrate the joyful milestone of my graduation, I would like to express my sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Karen and everyone at the Lifestart Foundation. Looking back on my six-year journey through medical school, I realise that I would not have reached this important milestone without your unwavering support, encouragement and generosity. Today, I would like to take this opportunity to update you on my academic progress and life during the second semester of my final year, as well as my plans for the future.
The second semester passed by remarkably quickly. I studied four main subjects: Paediatrics (Theory and Clinical Practice) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Theory and Clinical Practice). In addition, I completed both the theory and clinical graduation exams, the results of which were included in my second semester GPA. This was a particularly memorable semester because I spent most of my time learning in the hospital rather than in the classroom.
During my Paediatrics rotation, the most meaningful experience was my time on duty in the Neonatal Unit and the Paediatric Emergency Department. I had the opportunity to care for newborn babies who were premature, experiencing respiratory distress or suffering from neonatal infections during their very first days of life. One experience that has stayed with me was witnessing a critically ill newborn gradually recover and seeing the overwhelming joy on the family’s faces as they were finally able to hold their baby in their arms. Through these night shifts, I gained a much deeper appreciation for the dedication and responsibility of paediatricians, who carefully monitor every breath and every small movement of their young patients for hours at a time. At the same time, Paediatrics proved to be one of the most challenging disciplines. Young children are often unable to describe their symptoms, while the medical knowledge required is extensive and varies greatly according to each stage of a child’s development. However, the more time I spent in the wards and the more patients I encountered, the better I understood the conditions I was studying and the more easily I could retain everything I learned.
During my Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotation, I participated in 24-hour duty shifts, following patients throughout their journey from hospital admission to diagnosis and treatment. I had the opportunity to assist midwives in monitoring labour, performing clinical exams and, most memorably, witnessing the birth of many newborn babies. Being present at these precious moments was both inspiring and deeply rewarding. Obstetrics and Gynaecology is also an especially demanding specialty. The range of conditions is extensive, and many clinical situations require prompt decision-making and precise management. Completing patient records, mastering treatment protocols and preparing for clinical exams required me to devote many additional hours to self-study.
As I hope to pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, I made the most of every clinical placement by discussing cases with the supervising doctors whenever I had questions. Their guidance not only deepened my understanding but also strengthened my passion for this specialty. I have always enjoyed Paediatrics because I love working with children and find great happiness in helping care for them. However, I discovered that I am drawn even more strongly to Obstetrics and Gynaecology, as it suits my interest in hands-on procedures and the opportunity to work in delivery suites and operating rooms. The experiences I gained throughout this semester have given me a much clearer vision of the career I wish to follow in the future.
I successfully completed all of my final-semester subjects and achieved a GPA of 3.21 out of 4.0, earning the title of Very Good student.
After completing my final subjects, I had approximately one month to prepare for the graduation exams. This was one of the most demanding periods of my medical studies, as I had to prepare for both the Paediatrics clinical exam and a comprehensive written exam consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 180 minutes. The exam covered all the knowledge accumulated throughout six years of medical school, particularly the core disciplines of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Paediatrics, as well as other specialties including Ophthalmology, Dentistry and Otolaryngology (ENT).
Although this period was both challenging and intense, it also gave me the opportunity to reflect on everything I had learned over the past six years and to consolidate my medical knowledge before graduation. I was very pleased that my hard work was rewarded with a good result, achieving 9.0 out of 10 in the theory exam.
After six years of dedication and perseverance, I graduated with a Very Good degree and a cumulative GPA of 3.44 out of 4.0. I feel incredibly happy and proud to have finally achieved my dream of becoming a doctor.
I also realise that grades alone can never fully reflect the effort, resilience and growth that a person experiences. What matters most to me is that I remained determined throughout every challenge, never gave up and successfully completed the demanding six-year journey of medical school. Rather than dwelling on the things I cannot change, I have chosen to devote my time, energy and youth to preparing for the next chapter of my career.
After graduating, I embarked on a new and important challenge: the Residency Entrance Exam. This was an exam for which I had already decided to give my very best, as it represented an opportunity to continue my medical training and pursue the specialty I had come to love. I began studying the foundational subjects at the beginning of my sixth year. After completing my graduation exams, I devoted the final three months entirely to preparing for the residency entrance exam. I chose to apply for the Obstetrics and Gynaecology residency programme, a specialty that I had grown increasingly passionate about through my experiences during my final semester. The exam consisted of six subjects: Obstetrics and Gynaecology as the major specialty, Surgery as a related clinical subject, and four foundational subjects: Biochemistry, Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics. Each subject covered approximately twenty major topics, so the amount of knowledge I needed to review was truly enormous.
During those three months, I studied for an average of eleven to twelve hours each day, dividing my time as evenly as possible among the different subjects. Although I devoted a great deal of time to studying, I also tried to maintain a reasonable balance between work, rest and healthy meals. I understood that such an intensive and prolonged period of study could only be effective if I also took care of my health.
The exam itself was held over three sessions. After completing it, I felt quite anxious because some of the questions covered areas that were slightly different from those I had focused on in my study materials. The exam was not extremely difficult, but it was very long and demanding. As I walked out of the exam room, I felt worried, knowing how competitive the opportunity to be admitted to the residency programme was.
The four days spent waiting for the results were among the most nerve-racking days I had experienced. There were 97 candidates applying for the Obstetrics and Gynaecology programme, but only 15 positions were available.
When the results were finally announced, I was truly overwhelmed with emotion. I had achieved a score of 22 points, while the admission score was 21.3 points. When I saw the result, I felt both joyful and incredibly relieved. For a moment, I could hardly believe that I had actually achieved my goal. After all the long days of studying, the exhaustion, the anxiety and the moments when I doubted myself, I had finally been given the opportunity to continue along the path I had chosen.
In the coming months, I will begin a new chapter as a resident doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Through my experiences during my final year and throughout my preparation for the residency entrance exam, I have discovered that I am particularly interested in the field of Gynaecology. However, I know that there is still so much for me to explore, and I have not yet determined exactly which direction I will pursue in the future.
For now, my goal is simply to study as diligently as I can, build a strong foundation of knowledge and gain as much clinical experience as possible throughout my residency training. Step by step, I hope to discover the path that is most suitable for me.
Before I learned about the Lifestart Foundation Scholarship, my family was going through an extremely difficult period financially. My father passed away unexpectedly, leaving my mother to shoulder the responsibility of raising three children on her own while also trying to repay my university tuition debt. As a factory worker with a modest income, she worked tirelessly to provide for our family’s daily needs and to keep all of us in school. The cost of studying medicine, both financially and in the time commitment required, placed an enormous burden on my family. There were times when I genuinely believed I would have to give up my studies because we simply could no longer afford for me to continue. It was an incredibly stressful and uncertain period, and my dream of becoming a doctor seemed to be slipping further and further away. Fortunately, at the moment when I needed help the most, I received the Lifestart Foundation Scholarship. I have been a scholarship recipient since 2023, and this support has transformed both my educational journey and my outlook on the future. It gave me the opportunity to continue my medical studies with greater confidence and to keep moving towards the dream I had always hoped to achieve.
Even now, I still vividly remember the day I was informed that I had been awarded the scholarship. That feeling of gratitude and emotion has never faded. What touched me most was not simply the financial assistance, but the kindness of people who had never met me, yet chose to believe in me, care about me and invest in my future. That generosity made me realise that I was not alone on my journey towards becoming a doctor. Looking back, I appreciate that support more than ever. The encouragement and companionship of the Lifestart Foundation gave me the motivation to strive for academic excellence, continually improve myself and remain confident in the path I had chosen.
The scholarship also brought a profound sense of relief to my family. Thanks to your generous support, I no longer had to carry the constant worry of paying my tuition fees and other educational expenses and was able to devote more of my attention to my studies and clinical training. In addition to the scholarship, I was provided with a new laptop, which became an invaluable learning tool throughout my medical studies. It supported me enormously over the past few years, enabling me to access learning materials, complete assignments and prepare for exams more effectively. I also received assistance with my living expenses and had the opportunity to join the Foundation’s online English classes, which helped me continue developing an important skill alongside my medical education. For my mother, the scholarship brought an equally significant sense of relief. Knowing that her daughter was supported, encouraged and cared for by such kind and compassionate people eased a tremendous amount of the financial and emotional pressure she had carried for many years. It gave her peace of mind about my education and allowed her to devote more attention to caring for my two younger siblings. More than providing practical support, the Lifestart Foundation gave my family something even more precious: hope. Your generosity reminded us that, no matter how difficult life may become, there are compassionate people willing to extend a helping hand and create opportunities for others to pursue their dreams.
I have often wondered what my life would have been like if I had not received the Lifestart Foundation Scholarship. Given my family’s financial circumstances at the time, I might have had to put my studies on hold, or it may have taken me many more years to complete my degree. Or it could have happened that my dream of becoming a doctor could have remained unfulfilled. Today, however, I am incredibly proud to wear the white coat and begin my journey as a newly graduated doctor. Reaching this point has required many years of hard work, but I know that I did not make this journey alone. The trust, encouragement and opportunities provided by the Lifestart Foundation played an important part in helping me reach this milestone, and I will always carry that with me.
I will continue to work hard, both professionally and personally, to become a doctor who is not only knowledgeable and clinically competent, but also compassionate, ethical and wholeheartedly dedicated to caring for patients. I also hope that one day, when I am in a position to do so, I will be able to extend the same kindness to others who are facing difficult circumstances, just as the Lifestart Foundation has so generously done for me.
I know that no words of thanks could ever fully express my gratitude to Ms. Karen and everyone at the Lifestart Foundation. Your support has made a lasting difference to my education, my family and the person I have become. I will always cherish the trust and confidence you have placed in me and strive to live a life that is worthy of your kindness and generosity.
Finally, I wish Ms. Karen and everyone at the Lifestart Foundation good health, happiness and peace. May the Lifestart Foundation continue to grow and create opportunities for many more students, helping them build a brighter future and pursue their dreams.
Yours sincerely,
Nguyen Thi Anh Tram