Dear Karen and Everyone at Lifestart Foundation,
My name is Bach Duy Thai, and I have been fortunate to receive a scholarship from you over the past two years. I have recently graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, officially becoming a new doctor.
Today, as I look back on the journey that has brought me here, each update letter throughout my time with the Lifestart Foundation has been more than an opportunity to share my studies and daily life but also a way of telling the story of my personal growth to the people who have always encouraged me, believed in me and supported me from afar. For that reason, this letter carries particularly special emotions. I would like to share an update on my studies and my life during my final semester at university, as well as my plans for the future.
My final semester was one of the busiest and most challenging periods of my university life. I mainly studied and trained in Internal Medicine and Surgery, two areas that I particularly enjoy. Internal Medicine interests me because of the process of reasoning through a patient’s symptoms to identify the underlying cause, while Surgery gave me the opportunity to observe and practise more direct skills in patient treatment.
Alongside theory classes, clinical training took up a large part of my daily schedule. Balancing lectures, clinical rotations and exam preparation taught me to manage my time more effectively. I tried to spend around three hours each day on self-study, mainly reviewing what I had learned during the day, preparing for upcoming lessons and organising all topics.
The most challenging period came with the graduation exam on theory. I had about one month for revision, but the scope of knowledge involved was extremely broad. It covered not only Internal Medicine and Surgery but also Obstetrics, Paediatrics and many other specialties I had studied throughout my six years at university. Some days, I studied from morning until evening, spending around six to ten hours on revision. Preparing for the exam as a group was also challenging. We had to divide the content, consolidate our knowledge, work through practice papers and support one another in areas where we were less confident. At times, coordinating among several people was quite demanding, but the experience helped me understand that in medicine, the ability to work effectively as part of a team is just as important as individual ability.
After the theory exam, I continued with the clinical exam, with Surgery as the main subject. This was very different from my previous exams because I was required to demonstrate much more than my ability to recall knowledge. I had to approach the patient, take a medical history, perform an examination, make a diagnosis and develop a management plan within a limited amount of time. This experience helped me understand more clearly that becoming a doctor is not simply about learning as much as possible, but also about remaining calm and applying knowledge effectively in real clinical situations.
My GPA for the second semester was 3.35/4.0. I was very happy to receive a score of 10 out of 10 in the graduation theory exam. Looking back at the whole process, I believe what matters most is not that every result was perfect but that I genuinely gave my best during the final months of my university journey to successfully complete my degree.
Throughout my six years at medical school, I always strived to study diligently and make the most of every opportunity given. I was awarded the University’s Academic Encouragement Scholarship several times, participated in scientific research and engaged in academic activities. After many months of data collection, analysis and manuscript revisions, my research paper was published in a scientific journal and I also successfully defended my graduation thesis.
I participated in the National Medical Academic Competition (NMAC) for two consecutive years, an event that brings together more than 80 teams from over 20 medical universities across Vietnam. In 2024, my team was awarded Third Prize overall. Determined to achieve an even better result, we returned in 2025 and won Second Prize overall, while I was also honoured to be recognised as one of the Top Three performers in the individual competition.
These experiences have meant much more to me than the achievements themselves. In the past, I often thought that studying medicine was mainly about memorising a huge amount of knowledge and applying it to patient care. Scientific research and academic competitions gave me a different perspective. I learned how to ask questions, search for evidence, analyse data and critically evaluate conclusions. Most importantly, I learned that medical knowledge is constantly evolving and needs to be continuously updated. These experiences also helped me realise that I genuinely enjoy academic work and research, which is an area I hope to continue pursuing in the future.
Receiving a High Distinction Degree with a GPA of 3.64 out of a possible 4.00 was one of the happiest moments of my life. It represented not only the reward for years of hard work but also the reassurance that I had not let down the people who had believed in and supported me throughout this journey. Looking back, I know there were moments when I could have done even better. Even so, I am proud of my journey because I know I gave my very best at every stage.
After graduating from university, I began preparing for the next step in my journey towards becoming a resident doctor. Since I had already decided during my final years of medical school that Internal Medicine was the specialty I wanted to pursue long term, I focused on researching and preparing applications for suitable residency programs.
The Internal Medicine Residency Program at Vin University is the one I’m particularly eager to pursue. I spent considerable time preparing my application, reviewing my medical knowledge and practising for the interview in English. The process was not easy. After six years of medical school, having to consolidate such a vast amount of knowledge in preparation for an important written exam performed in English was a significant challenge and there were many times when I felt under considerable pressure. In addition to my medical knowledge, I also needed to prepare material which clearly presented my background, research experience, career goals and reasons for choosing Internal Medicine.
Another challenge for me was that the interview was conducted in English. Although I had regularly read medical materials in English, I had not had many opportunities to use the language in everyday communication. I therefore had to spend additional time practising speaking, learning how to express my thoughts clearly and preparing answers to questions about my medical knowledge and career goals.
After months of preparation, I took part in the Vin University Residency entrance exam and interview rounds for the program. My hard work paid off! I was incredibly happy when I received the news that I had been accepted into the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Vin University.
After that, I contiuned to revise and took the Residency entrance exam at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Through this letter, I’d like to share that I was also accepted into the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, where I was also ranked among the Top 3 candidates in the entrance exam. This is truly one of the achievements I am most proud of since graduating. Internal Medicine has been the specialty I hoped to pursue since my final years at medical school, so this result has brought me great joy and given me even more motivation for the journey ahead.
At the same time, I also applied for a position in the Department of Internal Medicine at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. I was also fortunate to be appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. For me, this is a particularly meaningful opportunity because it allows me to continue learning and working at the very university that accompanied me throughout my six years of medical school.
After careful consideration, I’ve decided to continue my journey in Hue, where I will undertake my Internal Medicine residency training at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy while also having the opportunity to participate in teaching and academic activities within the Internal Medicine Department. I believe it will allow me to develop my clinical, teaching and scientific research skills at the same time.
For me, these achievements are much more than simply the results of an entrance examination or an application process. They represent the continuation of many years of hard work. I remember that when I first entered medical school, my only goal was simply to complete the six years of study and become a doctor. Today, I have the opportunity to take the next step into the Residency training program I genuinely hoped to pursue, while also beginning a new journey as a lecturer. I feel deeply grateful for these opportunities and even more motivated to continue working hard.
My immediate goal is to build a strong clinical foundation, particularly in the assessment and management of complex Internal Medicine patients. I also want to continue developing my skills in scientific research and medical English because I believe that being a good doctor requires not only strong clinical experience but also the ability to keep up with and critically evaluate new medical evidence.
In the long term, I hope to become a highly competent Internal Medicine physician while also contributing to medical research and the training of future generations of doctors. I am particularly interested in continuing the academic path that I began during my university years. If I have the opportunity, I hope to pursue further postgraduate training in the future and contribute, even in a small way, to the development of medicine in Vietnam.
What I hope for most is that many years from now, when I look back on my journey, I will be able to say that I made the most of the opportunities I was given not only to change my own life and my family’s life, but also to help others. Whenever I look back on my first days at university, I still vividly remember my family’s circumstances at that time. My parents divorced when I was still very young. My mother raised me on her own, but her work was unstable and her health was not good. For a student from a difficult family background like mine, pursuing a six-year medical degree while facing the ongoing costs of tuition and living expenses was a tremendous burden. There were times when I wondered whether I would really be able to make it to the end of this journey.
That is why learning that I had been awarded the Lifestart Foundation scholarship was such a deeply moving moment. It was far more than financial assistance but the knowledge that someone believed in my potential and was willing to invest in my future. From that day forward, I constantly reminded myself to study hard and become worthy of the trust you had placed in me.
Throughout the final two years of my medical degree, your scholarship and the support of the Lifestart Foundation made an extraordinary difference to my life. It helped cover my tuition fees, accommodation, textbooks and daily living expenses, meaning I could devote my time entirely to my studies without the constant burden of financial hardships. Above all, you gave me something even more valuable than financial assistance: the reassurance that I was never alone. Every word of encouragement from you became a source of strength that inspired me to keep moving forward.
Another aspect of the Lifestart Foundation’s support that I am especially grateful for was the opportunity to learn and practise English throughout my scholarship journey. In the medical education environment in Vietnam, I use Vietnamese for most of my studies. Although I regularly read medical materials and scientific papers in English, I had very few opportunities to speak the language. Over time, I noticed that I was becoming less confident in my English communication even though I could still read and understand it relatively well.
Learning English with the Lifestart Foundation gave me an environment where I could actually use the language. The lessons and conversations gave me regular opportunities to practise speaking, overcome my shyness and gradually become more confident in communication. As a result, I achieved a VSTEP B2 certificate with a score of 7.5/10. Although I am not completely satisfied with this result, I am very grateful because without the opportunities that Lifestart Foundation provided, I may not have developed the confidence I have today. In particular, the lessons and practice sessions with Lifestart Foundation helped me become much more confident when I entered the selection process of the VinUniversity Residency Entrance Exam. In the future, I hope to continue improving my English and retake the exam to achieve C1 or even challenge myself with the IELTS exam.
Looking back on my years at university, the entire journey still feels like a dream. I entered medical school carrying anxiety, uncertainty and financial hardship. Today, I have reached the finish line and officially become a doctor. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had never received the Lifestart Foundation scholarship. Perhaps I would still have pursued medicine, but the journey would certainly have been much more difficult. I might have spent far more time worrying about finances, taking on additional part-time work or missing valuable opportunities to participate in research, academic competitions and personal development activities. I may still have reached graduation, but it would almost certainly have taken much longer and demanded far greater sacrifice. That is why I will always regard the Lifestart Foundation scholarship as one of the most important turning points in my life.
Although this letter marks the end of my journey as a Lifestart Foundation scholarship recipient, it does not mark the end of my gratitude. I sincerely hope that one day, when I have become an established doctor and am in a position to help others, I will be able to support young people facing difficult circumstances just as you supported me. That will be my way of passing forward the kindness, generosity and hope that you and the Lifestart Foundation have given me.
Finally, I would like to express my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to you and everyone at the Lifestart Foundation. Thank you for believing in me, walking beside me during the final two years of my university journey and helping me become the person I am today. I will always remember your kindness and will continue striving to live with integrity, pursue excellence and serve others in a way that honours the trust you have placed in me. I wish you all good health, happiness and peace.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Bach Duy Thai