According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, Peking University ranks first in China and 14th globally, while the other three schools are all renowned, ranking in the top 10 in China and the top 50 worldwide.
“I’m thrilled to have won the scholarship and been accepted into my dream university,” Khanh shared.
Nguyen Ngoc Khanh in a year-book photo taken at Hanoi – Amsterdam High School for the Gifted. Photo courtesy of Khanh |
Khanh’s passion for literature and language began in childhood. In middle school, she developed a love for Chinese literature and started taking extra classes in the language. By the beginning of her 12th grade, Khanh decided to pursue journalism and communication in China, recognizing that the language used in this field is “advanced and sharp.”
Despite the somewhat rushed decision, Khanh meticulously prepared each part of her application, which included academic achievements, IELTS and HSK certificates (a Chinese proficiency test), extracurricular activities, and a study plan.
Khanh maintained an academic average above 9 and won first prize in Hanoi’s Literature contest for talented students. In 11th grade, she also secured second place in the national contest for the same subject. Additionally, she achieved HSK 6, the highest level, and an IELTS score of 7.5.
She acknowledged the challenges of studying for the HSK exam due to the lack of a regular environment to practice Chinese, particularly struggling with the complexity of Chinese characters. She often relied on techniques such as using Sino-Vietnamese homophones to guess word meanings, a method she described as “risky” but effective given the time constraints.
For Khanh, preparing for the IELTS exam was easier due to her strong foundation in English, which she developed without the need for additional classes. She credited her friends with helping her improve her writing and speaking skills.
Khanh believes her study plan was the highlight of her application, reflecting her journey in pursuing her passion for literature. She tailored each plan to the unique characteristics of each university and city. For instance, her study plan for Peking University emphasized her admiration for Beijing’s rich traditions and cultural history, and her desire to learn how to communicate to preserve and develop these aspects.
In terms of extracurricular activities, Khanh was the head of a literary project and a member of the content team for a reading club at her school. In her 12th grade, she also participated in additional online courses and extracurricular activities at Chinese universities, such as Nanjing University and South China University of Technology, to strengthen her study abroad application.
Khanh applied for the Intergovernmental Scholarship, so Peking University did not require an interview. She noted that the most challenging part of preparing her application was managing time, as she had to balance it with her school responsibilities.
“In the early stages of preparing my application, I was overexerting myself, sleeping only three to four hours a day,” Khanh said. However, she eventually reorganized her schedule, focusing on short-term goals to ensure her health, and completed her plan on time, passing the HSK and IELTS exams within two months before concentrating on her essays.
“Applicants should plan their study abroad journey early. Achieving language certificates early is also an advantage, allowing you to invest more time in the essays,” Khanh said.
Ly Quan, Khanh’s Chinese teacher, remarked on her strong reasoning and thinking abilities, noting that she progressed quickly from HSK 5 to HSK 6 within just one month, a process that usually takes three months.
“Her habit of reading books and keeping up with current events daily has given Khanh very clear and independent thinking,” Quan said.
At Peking University, Khanh plans to major in Journalism and participate in various extracurricular activities related to the field. She also plans to learn Arabic to expand her career opportunities and dreams of becoming a foreign correspondent or working in the communications department of a multinational corporation.
“I believe that learning a new language in today’s globalized world will be a significant advantage,” Khanh said.
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