DAO THI NGAN In Harbin Engineering University

Jan,29 2025

My Chinese name is Tao Lanxi (DAO THI NGAN), and I am a fourth-year Vietnamese student majoring in Chinese Language and Literature at Harbin Engineering University.

Looking back to high school, while most of my peers chose the "hottest" languages like Korean or Japanese, I decided to take a different path for myself. My parents believed that studying the "less popular" Chinese language would hold little value, but I thought that as times change, I should simply focus on doing what I love in the present and leave the rest to time. Today, this puzzle is gradually revealing its answers. On my journey of learning Chinese, I have gained so much and experienced countless memorable moments.

After completing a year of Chinese study at Harbin Engineering University, I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship from the International Chinese Language Teachers program to pursue a bachelor's degree. During my undergraduate years, we had to endure over a year of online learning due to the pandemic. Although I couldn't come to China during that period, I remained diligent and undeterred. Under the guidance of my teachers, I continued to improve my Chinese skills and explored China's culture and history through classes and various platforms. As a result, when I first arrived in China, everything felt novel yet not unfamiliar.

With the support of my teachers and the help of friends, I quickly adapted to the new environment, took proactive actions, and received numerous awards and honors. For instance, I won the Excellence Award in both the Fifth and Seventh "My Encounter with China" essay competitions for international students, secured third place in the "Telling Stories in English" activity, and was recognized as an "Outstanding Student Leader" and a "Three-Good Student" for two consecutive years. These experiences have given me many precious memories and forged a deep bond between me and China.

Over the past four years, my teachers have provided us with countless support and encouragement, and the university has offered international students many opportunities to showcase and challenge themselves. As a leader in the International Student Union, I actively organized various cultural exchange activities for my peers to display Vietnamese traditions. As a class monitor, I dedicated myself to serving every classmate, offering emotional support when needed, and helping them gain the confidence to shine. As a student, I was clear about my responsibility to study hard, enhance my professional knowledge, and improve my personal skills.

As my undergraduate journey draws to a close, I am honored to have been awarded the title of "Outstanding Student Leader Model." This recognition fills me with excitement and gratitude. It not only affirms my personal efforts but also inspires me to look forward to the future with determination and continue striving for progress.

In the days to come, I will continue working hard to help more students integrate quickly into campus life. I also hope to showcase Vietnamese culture to more friends through cultural exchange activities. I firmly believe that as long as I sow the seeds with dedication, there will be a harvest; as long as I remain grounded and work diligently, I will "reap what I sow."