“I have always longed to become a superhero, but when I realized I didn’t have superpowers, I chose to quietly help others instead. Becoming a psychologist is how I become a ‘hero’ who heals the deepest wounds.”
Those were the opening lines in the university application of Le Xuan Nhat Minh (12 Washington DC, Dewey Hai Phong). Though brief, his heartfelt words left a strong impression on multiple Admissions Committees, earning him scholarships worth VND 4.4 billion from leading universities both in Vietnam and abroad, including Monash University, Australia (#36 QS Ranking 2026), and the University of Ottawa (Top 10 in Canada).
Unlike many outgoing peers, Nhat Minh does not have an extensive list of extracurricular activities. His three years at Dewey were instead a quiet journey of observation, reflection, and understanding. He spent time listening to himself, processing emotions, and examining the relationships around him. In a multicultural environment where each individual carries a unique identity, Minh learned to respect differences and nurture empathy.
Minh possesses a special sensitivity toward emotions and the community around him. A turning point came when he joined the “Dream School” volunteer trip to Bao Nam commune (Nghe An) with Dewey Hai Phong teachers and friends. The experience made him realize how different the emotional worlds of urban children and those in disadvantaged areas can be. “Before the trip, I thought I would meet curious, cheerful, and friendly children. Instead, I encountered eyes that were hauntingly empty and deeply moving,” Minh shared.
Those images stayed with him throughout his journey back to Hai Phong, becoming the driving force that pushed him to take action. He realized that the gap lies not only in educational conditions but also in the lack of emotional care and mental health support. It was at that moment that he ignited a strong determination to pursue Psychology, particularly in supporting and caring for children, so he can understand and protect them.
Reflecting on his journey to securing over VND 4 billion in scholarships, Minh still finds it surprising. Looking back, however, he recognizes it as the result of a well-structured pathway guided and supported by career counselors. He was given opportunities to explore, to understand himself deeply, and to choose extracurricular activities with clear intention. The Bao Nam volunteer trip, in particular, became a meaningful real-life story that resonated strongly with university admissions committees.
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“I’ve always wanted to be a hero, but without superpowers, I chose to help others quietly instead. Becoming a psychologist lets me heal people from their past traumas.”
