After graduating from middle school at The Dewey Schools Tay Ho Tay, the determined and passionate Vu Nhu Anh embarked on her high school journey in Venezuela (South America), carrying with her a deep love for pharmaceutical chemistry. During her studies abroad, the strong academic foundation built over eight years at The Dewey Schools enabled Nhu Anh to earn an impressive nine scholarships in pharmaceutical chemistry-related fields from prestigious universities in South America and Germany.
Having been part of The Dewey Schools community from Grade 2 to Grade 9 before moving to South America with her family, Nhu Anh discovered her passion for chemistry through engaging Natural Science lessons at Dewey. “I really enjoyed Natural Science. Each lesson and hands-on project helped me explore my passion. Especially, the MDE (Makers, Design & Engineering) subject trained me in creative thinking, preparing me for a new academic environment. Career-oriented lessons like JA (Junior Achievement) were also a great source of inspiration, helping me gain a clear vision for my future,” Nhu Anh shared.
One of the biggest surprises Nhu Anh experienced in high school in South America was that the coursework was not as challenging as she had anticipated. Many of the topics covered in her new school were concepts she had already been introduced to at Dewey. “Thanks to the strong foundation from Dewey, studying abroad felt much easier and more familiar to me,” she emphasized.
Not only passionate about science, Nhu Anh also has a deep love for Literature and Vietnamese Language. To her, this subject is a “symbolic course” at Dewey. “Scholarship essays often have open-ended prompts that require personal expression. While the essays must be written in English, Literature and Vietnamese Language taught me how to think in language and tell my own story in the most authentic and compelling way.”
Witnessing Nhu Anh’s journey of growth, Mr. Nguyen Trong Tung, University & Career Guidance Counselor, couldn’t hide his pride: “Nhu Anh is an intelligent and highly driven student, always standing out with her captivating storytelling ability. I believe that no matter where she goes, she will carry the spirit of a true TDS alumna and continue to shine in her own unique way, just as she did at Dewey.”
Nhu Anh’s mother, Ms. Hoang Hien Hau, recalls with emotion the early days of her daughter’s transition to a new academic environment: “At first, Nhu Anh struggled with Spanish as a new language, and even her teachers were concerned about whether she could keep up with the curriculum. But within just two months, she adapted quickly and caught up with her classmates. Studying at Dewey from an early age helped her feel at ease in an international setting. She has always been confident, eager to learn, independent, and self-directed in her studies. At Dewey, she had multicultural experiences with teachers and friends from all over the world. I truly believe that the strong foundation from Dewey was the key to helping her adapt so seamlessly to her new environment.”
Nhu Anh’s achievements are not only a source of pride for her family and school but also a powerful testament to the Dewey student profile – embodying the spirit of “Beyond the Blueprint.” She dares to step out of her comfort zone, embraces challenges without fear of failure, and confidently writes her own story. With her resilience, intelligence, and passion, The Dewey Schools firmly believe that Như Anh will continue to achieve even greater success, conquering new heights on her journey to realizing her dream of wearing the white coat!
