Scholarship scheme helps student chase her dreams

A woman with her sights set on becoming a leading light in the business world in Vietnam believes an Essex scholarship scheme has given her the opportunity to chase her dreams.

Thi Thuy Anh Bui, from Vietnam, is one of 30 women on the Women of the Future scholarship scheme, which was created to support intelligent and inspiring students from around the world and equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to become leaders and drivers of change.

Thi, who previously studied at the Vietnam National Economics University in Hanoi, applied for the scholarship as she wanted to broaden her horizons and be the first in her family to continue her studies abroad.

She felt overcoming the challenges of learning in a foreign country would help improve her pioneering spirit, as she explained: “Studying at Essex Business School has been a crucial milestone on my career path. My goal is to become a successful investor, who can lead the changes in Vietnamese market, an expert in finance and investment and an inspirer of young generations.

Talking about her life and study at Essex, Thi said: “My world has become much larger since I received the Women of the Future scholarship. It has given me the opportunity to chase my dreams and I will always feel thankful for the opportunities to not only study in such a prestigious, professional and friendly university, but also travel and explore wonderful cultures of European countries, especially the United Kingdom. I have felt very at home here, even though Essex is thousands of miles away from my country.”

Thi has been particularly grateful for the help and support she has received from her supervisor, lecturers, library staff and the Student Union ‘Angels’ during exam time.

Once she has completed her studies, Thi, who has studied for an MSc Finance and Investment, hopes to gain valuable experience working for an international financial institution before returning to Vietnam to set up her own business and share her expertise with others.