Nguyen Do Duc Anh, a student from 9Zurich at The Dewey Schools, made a strong impression by winning the International Baccalaureate (IB) scholarship. This marks the starting point of his journey to pursue his dream of studying in the U.S. Not only excelling academically, Duc Anh brings an inspiring story of his passion for learning and a mindset of “beyond the blueprint, mapping your own way.”
“There were times when I felt pressured by schoolwork. The traditional note-taking and lecture-based learning in class no longer inspired or motivated me. However, since joining Dewey, every day at school has been a joyful experience. Adapting to a new environment was a challenge at first because the teaching and learning methods here are completely different from my previous school. Yet, it has also been an opportunity for me to break through and conquer new knowledge, new subjects, and move closer to my dream of studying abroad,” Duc Anh shared.
Few people know that this young student rides his bike nearly 8 kilometers to school every day. Behind his small stature, Duc Anh stands out for his intelligence, determination, and impressive achievements. He has won the Gold Medal in the Asian Science and Maths Olympiad (ASMO) and earned second place in district-level competitions in swimming, chess, and xiangqi (Chinese chess). He also shows a talent for languages, being fluent in English and familiar with Chinese and Spanish from a young age.
Reflecting on how he discovered Dewey, Duc Anh recalls attending the school’s “Tet Market” with his sister for the first time. The modern facilities, vast learning spaces, and positive energy from Dewey students sparked his curiosity and love for an international learning environment. After researching Dewey’s IB scholarship program and realizing that it matched his academic strengths, Duc Anh, encouraged by his parents, was determined to apply.
With his passion for research and exceptional language skills, Duc Anh had a solid foundation when entering the scholarship competition. He shared that it only took him about two days of focused preparation for the exam. In addition to mastering academic knowledge, Duc Anh expressed a keen interest in social issues and a desire to engage in community activities – qualities that helped him stand out to the judges.
The curriculum, which is 80% in English and includes new subjects, didn’t pose a challenge for the young student. On the contrary, Duc Anh found it highly engaging. “Back when I was attending a public school, I found the theoretical content quite heavy, with most of the classwork centered around note-taking and solving exercises. But at Dewey, the teachers bring a rich variety of teaching methods, especially the flipped classroom model. The best way to learn is to teach others, and this has sparked my enthusiasm for learning,” he shared.
With confidence and a solid foundation of knowledge from Dewey, Duc Anh has set his sights on studying in the U.S. after completing high school. He believes that the academic program and extracurricular activities at Dewey will serve as a strong springboard to help him achieve this goal. Duc Anh’s biggest inspiration is his older sister, who is currently working for an NGO in the U.S. He also shared that he dreams of becoming a pilot in the future, exploring the world in his own unique way.
Nguyen Do Duc Anh’s journey is not just a story of hard work, but also a testament to the power of “beyond the blueprint: mapping your own way.” With his abilities and relentless passion for learning, we wish Duc Anh success in reaching his “American dream,” soaring high and far in the future.
