Anh, 22, studied at Bac Ninh High School for the Gifted before choosing to pursue her undergraduate degree at British University Vietnam (BUV). She was awarded the university’s Dean’s Scholarship and later graduated with distinction in Digital & Social Media Marketing.
Chu Thi Phuong Anh (R) at her graduation ceremony at British University Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Anh |
At BUV, she followed a study model combining three-month academic terms with three-month internships, allowing her to gain practical experience alongside coursework.
“She is a bright and dedicated student who is highly observant and thoughtful, with a strong ability to learn and apply new ideas effectively,” said Dr. William Shiue, who taught her at BUV. “Her commitment to doing her best has always been evident in the quality of her work.”
Over three years, Anh demonstrated consistent academic performance and leadership. In a Consumer Behavior course, she led a five-member team analyzing advertising effectiveness and proposing strategies to improve brand engagement.
“As the team leader, Anh guided her peers through brainstorming and project development with confidence and clarity,” said Dr. Kumarashvari Subramaniam, Discipline Lead in Business at BUV. “Her team produced a well-structured poster and presentation that reflected strong analytical thinking and creativity and achieved the highest score in the module.”
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Chu Thi Phuong Anh (C) with her friends at BUV’s campus. Photo courtesy of Anh |
Beyond academics, she participated in social initiatives. In a corporate social responsibility project conducted in collaboration with Breast Cancer Network Vietnam, she led a six-member team to design a fundraising and awareness campaign within two weeks. Her team raised the highest amount among 37 groups and received the CSR Champion Award.
Anh also explored entrepreneurship at the age of 19, developing a soapberry-based skincare product for men with her team. Although the project did not meet its initial objectives, she described it as a valuable experience in understanding business operations and managing challenges.
At 20, she shifted her focus to education, establishing an online English center in her hometown and supporting high school students in developing community projects and preparing scholarship applications, particularly those from rural areas.
She also participated in domestic and international activities, receiving several awards in entrepreneurship and innovation. She was also selected to represent Vietnam at international programs, including the Youth Ecosperity Dialogue in Singapore and the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) 2026.
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Chu Thi Phuong Anh sharing her startup journey at a workshop. Photo courtesy of Anh |
These experiences contributed to her admission to Harvard, where she plans to explore further the intersection of education and technology.
Reflecting on her journey, Anh said her most significant achievement was overcoming what she described as “default limitations”, assumptions shaped by background or expectations that may restrict personal choices.
“I want to become a better educator and contribute to creating more equitable learning opportunities for young people, whether they are in rural or urban areas,” she said. “There is no limit to what young people can achieve.”
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