Proud to be the youngest contestants advancing to the Asia-Pacific regional round of the “FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge (ITC) 2024” held in Singapore, Do Phan Truong An (10Edmonton) and Pham Duy Anh (10Burlington) carried the colors of Vietnam and the unique identity of TDSers to the international stage. Although their journey ended at this round, the cultural experience, valuable lessons, and the journey of surpassing themselves were the most cherished aspects for them.
During the summer month, Truong An and Duy Anh meticulously prepared for the international competition. “I read a lot of research materials on countries and green products that positively impact the environment. The competitors were very strong, but that motivated me to try harder and be determined to win,” Duy Anh recalled.
With a research topic on business products in the Turkish market, the TDSers presented unique ideas such as producing biofuel from bread and designing cute recycled bags from leftover fabric. Although there were still shortcomings in their business strategy development, both put in their utmost effort and took the judges’ feedback as valuable lessons.
For the two of them, the greatest value of the competition did not lie in the results but in the invaluable experiences and relationships they built. Duy Anh vividly remembers the heartfelt advice from a speaker at one of the competition’s workshops: “Cherish the relationships around you because there are things that wealth and money cannot buy. Let’s learn from each other, share knowledge, and spread positive energy to everyone.”
Both Duy Anh and Trường An believe that the greatest victory is overcoming oneself. “My biggest success was stepping out of my comfort zone. I used to be a shy boy, hesitant to communicate, but through this competition, I feel much more confident and mature. I am deeply grateful to The Dewey Schools for giving us this amazing opportunity. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Trong Tung, the teachers in the University and Career Counseling Office (UCCO), our subject teachers, and the school leadership for their unwavering support in helping us participate in the competition,” Truong An shared.
Speaking about his students, Mr. Trong Tung, University and Career Counselor at Dewey, remarked: “What I am most proud of is their effort and never-give-up attitude. They have excellently embodied the TDSers spirit of ‘breaking the mold and creating their own path.’ The competition was also an opportunity for them to broaden their horizons, confidently step into the world, and affirm their self-worth.”
Not only did the TDSers bring their passion and lifelong learning spirit, but they also showcased their generosity and pride in their cultural heritage through distinctly Vietnamese gifts like conical hats and book markers featuring symbols of their homeland, presented to their international peers.
The journey of Truong An and Duy Anh at the FedEx/JA ITC competition is not only a story of effort, passion, and lifelong learning but also a journey of connecting and spreading the beauty of Vietnamese culture among the youth on the path to international integration.
