Dear Karen and Lifestart Foundation,
My name is Nguyen Quoc Loc, and I am one of the fortunate students who has had the privilege of being supported by the Lifestart Foundation. After six long years of university study, I have recently graduated with a degree in General Medicine from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy and am now officially a doctor. Having reached this most significant milestone of my student life, I am writing this letter with overwhelming gratitude and emotions that words can hardly express. I would like to take this opportunity to update you on my academic progress during the second semester of my final year and share with you my plans for the future.
Looking back on my journey, I still vividly remember the uncertainty and struggles of my childhood. I grew up without the love and presence of my father from an early age, and after my mother remarried, my grandmother and my uncle’s family became the ones who lovingly raised and cared for me. Becoming a doctor was my greatest dream, but it also felt like an impossible burden given my family’s circumstances. There were many sleepless nights when I felt lost, discouraged and overwhelmed by uncertainty. Watching my grandmother’s hair grow greyer each year and seeing my uncle and aunt work tirelessly to support the family, I often found myself thinking that I should give up my dream of wearing a white coat and choose another path to help ease their burden.
Then, the Lifestart Foundation scholarship came into my life like a miracle in the darkness. At the end of Year 8, my secondary school principal kindly introduced me to the Lifestart Foundation scholarship interview. On that day, I was interviewed by Ms. Karen and Ms. Diem. It was the first important interview I had ever attended, and I was extremely nervous, worrying that I might not answer the questions properly. However, the warm smiles and gentle conversation from both of them immediately made me feel welcomed and at ease. Their kindness helped me gradually relax and be able to confidently share my story, my family circumstances, my studies and my dreams. When I later learned that I had been awarded the scholarship, I burst into tears of happiness. It was far more than financial assistance, indeed it was a lifeline that rescued a dream that had almost slipped away. The scholarship reignited my hope and reminded me that there were still compassionate people willing to believe in and support less fortunate children like me.
The scholarship truly transformed both my life and my family’s future. It eased much of the financial burden that my grandmother, uncle and aunt had carried for so many years. Thanks to your university scholarship, I was able to devote myself wholeheartedly to my medical studies without constantly worrying about tuition fees or daily living expenses. The scholarship greatly reduced the costs of accommodation, meals, textbooks and transportation throughout my university years. I was also equipped with a laptop which was an invaluable tool for studying and conducting research. The scholarship also enabled me to purchase additional textbooks and reference materials to deepen my medical knowledge.
Beyond the financial support, the scholarship also introduced me to an inspiring community of mentors, scholarship recipients and friends whose determination and resilience motivated me to become a better version of myself. The experiences I gained, the friendships I built and the lessons I learned have helped me grow into a more confident, resilient and compassionate person, encouraging me to continue striving for excellence both academically and personally.
It has now been more than ten years since I first became a Lifestart Foundation scholarship recipient. Throughout this time, I have always understood one important truth: without the generosity and unwavering support of everyone, my dream of becoming a doctor would most likely have remained only a dream. My desire to care for patients and save lives might have become nothing more than an unachievable aspiration, and I would never have had the opportunity to pursue the calling that has always been closest to my heart.
Because I have always understood the value of the opportunities you have given me, I have worked tirelessly over the years to live up to the trust that you, Karen and everyone at Lifestart Foundation placed in me. Today, I am incredibly proud to share with you the achievements that your generosity has made possible.
During my final semester, I completed both the theory and clinical subjects for Internal Medicine and Surgery. As these subjects form the foundation of a doctor’s professional knowledge, I was determined to build a strong understanding of the basics that would prepare me for my future career caring for patients.
Like the previous semester, I had theory classes and clinical practice sessions from Monday to Friday with an intensive schedule. At the same time, I had to prepare for both my end-of-semester exams and the graduation exams. I made every effort to use my time wisely, studying an average of six to seven hours each day. On afternoons without lectures, I often spent up to ten hours self-studying, and on weekends I devoted almost the entire day to reviewing clinical cases, consolidating my knowledge and practising exam questions. Although the workload was demanding, I remained disciplined, organised my study schedule carefully and maintained a positive attitude throughout the semester.
I am delighted to share that my hard work paid off. I achieved a GPA of 3.47/4.0 and earned A-level marks in both the Internal Medicine and Surgery theory subjects. Most importantly, during the graduation exam, which is the most significant assessment of my medical education, I achieved the highest score in my clinical exam group. I drew out of the box a Surgery case, performed exceptionally well and was awarded a Grade A. Although I narrowly missed achieving an A in the theory examination, I am extremely proud that my efforts were recognised during the clinical assessment.
My six-year medical journey has now come to an end; I graduated with a final GPA of 3.48 out of 4.0, earning a Distinction degree. Looking at my academic transcript and my degree certificate today fills me with immense pride and satisfaction because behind all my achievements lies the generosity, compassion and encouragement that you have all so kindly given me over the years.
Although I have graduated, my journey into medicine is only just beginning. Looking further ahead, I hope to continue my postgraduate studies with a specialisation in Rehabilitation Medicine. My dream is not only to help save lives but also to restore the best possible quality of life for patients recovering from illness or injury.
Alongside my medical training, I am determined to continue improving my English proficiency. I plan to focus on medical English so that I can access the latest international research, clinical guidelines and medical literature, allowing me to continually expand my professional knowledge. I also hope to achieve an IELTS certificate, which will enable me to participate in international conferences, training programs and future educational opportunities.
No words could ever fully express the gratitude I carry in my heart. The support from you and everyone at Lifestart Foundation has provided me with far more than just an education. You have given me a new future, a new life and a lifelong lesson in kindness and compassion. I promise that I will carry the generosity you have shown me into my own medical career, treating every patient with the same care, dignity and humanity that you have shown to me. In doing so, I hope to pass forward the light that you have kindled in my life.
From the bottom of my heart, I would once again like to express my deepest gratitude to you and everyone at Lifestart Foundation. I sincerely wish you all continued good health, happiness and success. Finally, I hope that your generosity will continue to change the lives of many more young people pursuing their dreams in the years to come.
Yours sincerely,
Nguyen Quoc Loc