There was once a girl who was introverted and insecure about her English. A girl who had never participated in any extracurricular activities throughout nine years of schooling. A girl who often wondered, unsure of what path truly suited her.
Three years later, that girl had become someone entirely different: bold enough to organize the first bilingual Startup Business Competition at Dewey, eager to challenge herself in extracurricular clubs, and ready to take on leadership roles while inspiring a spirit of entrepreneurship among peers who shared the same passion.
For Nhật Anh, a graduate of Class 12 Denver, her journey of growth is not measured by major titles or accolades, but by a series of meaningful experiences. Each attempt became an opportunity to reflect on herself and better understand the path she wanted to pursue.
Previously, Nhật Anh’s English learning at her former school revolved mainly around grammar and tests. In her first year at Dewey, she initially felt overwhelmed when most subjects were taught in English, alongside the demanding pace of project-based learning and teamwork. Alongside the national curriculum from the Ministry of Education and Training, Nhật Anh also encountered entirely new subjects such as Invention and Performing Arts.
It was in the Humanities course, however—through lessons on economics, from markets and supply–demand to financial management—that she began to realize something important: learning becomes far more meaningful when knowledge connects with real-world challenges.
From that initial spark of curiosity, Nhật Anh started seeking new experiences. Recognizing her potential, Mr. Tùng, Dewey’s University and Career Counseling Specialist, encouraged her to participate in small-scale business competitions. Each competition became a chance to learn how to prepare, articulate, and present her ideas. After every experience, she would reflect: what she had done well, what could be improved, and whether this was truly the path she wanted to pursue in the long term.
It was this cycle of trial, reflection, and growth that gradually helped Nhật Anh step out of her shell of self-doubt. As co-founder of the Dewey Business Ventures competition, she patiently reviewed dozens of lengthy business plans written entirely in English, filled with complex professional terminology. Through that process, she gradually developed a strong capacity for self-directed learning—the ability to independently explore, organize knowledge, and transform unfamiliar concepts into her own understanding.
It was also the first time the once-introverted girl approached sponsors, and the first time she stood confidently before a crowd in the role of a leader. Not every moment was easy, but each experience helped her better understand both her strengths and her limits.
At the same time, Nhật Anh continued expanding her “experiential cycle” through Dewey’s career exploration activities—from university major demo classes and summer internships to field trips to universities and businesses. Each activity not only broadened her understanding of the professional world, but also encouraged her to keep asking herself an important question: What truly excites me, and who do I want to become in the future?
With the guidance of Dewey’s Career Counseling team in building her portfolio, writing application essays, and preparing for interviews, Nhật Anh successfully earned a 50% scholarship in Finance and Economics at the British University Vietnam, the very field she had chosen to pursue.
Entering her first year of university, she quickly adapted to an entirely English-speaking academic environment. Presentations and group projects no longer felt intimidating, as she had already developed the habits of proactive research, independent learning, and collaboration during her years at Dewey.
Three years ago, Nhật Anh was searching for the answer to a simple question: “What am I truly suited for?” Three years later, she not only discovered her passion for finance and economics, but also gained the confidence to pursue the path she had chosen. At Dewey, such journeys of growth do not happen in a single breakthrough moment. Instead, they are shaped through multiple circles of experience—where students are encouraged to try, reflect, and gradually discover their own identity. Because sometimes, the most valuable thing education can offer is not a predetermined destination, but the ability to understand oneself and bravely move forward on the path one chooses.
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The “EXPERIENTIAL CYCLE” campaign by The Dewey Schools affirms an educational approach where experience is not simply a method, but the very core of learning. Each student is placed at the center of their developmental journey, guided to build self-learning capacity, independent thinking, and the confidence to shape their own future.
Explore the dynamic world of experiential education at Dewey here: https://tuyensinh.thedeweyschools.edu.vn/vong-tron-trai…
#ExperientialCycle #ExperientialEducation #SelfLearn #SelfCultivate #SelfInvent #TheDeweySchools
