I did it!

I did it! Something I thought was impossible.

Standing here in the United States, I feel an overwhelming mix of happiness and reflection. I look back on this journey and the whirlwind of emotions I’ve lived through: anxiety, self-doubt, uncertainty, discouragement, pressure, exhaustion, determination, burning desire, happiness, and deep gratitude.

For the past 2 years and 8 months, I gave everything to pursue my dream of studying abroad and building the career and life I have always longed for.

No English skills, no financial resources, and no “perfect profile.” Honestly, even in my wildest dreams, I wouldn’t have believed I could reach this point. But something inside me kept burning – pushing me forward step by step, quietly and persistently, every single day.

I worked and studied simultaneously: days in the office, nights spent learning, researching, and exploring. I navigated countless options – Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia, the U.S., Canada – while juggling work, assignments, IELTS, GMAT, school applications, and most importantly, finding myself. Bit by bit, I became better each day.

I am deeply grateful for the people who have stood by me:
– My parents, my strongest pillars and greatest motivation.
– My teachers, mentors, clients, managers, colleagues, and friends who guided, encouraged, and believed in me.
– Even those I have never met but who still cheered me on wholeheartedly.

Every experience – good or bad – has shaped me and allowed me to see the colorful picture of life.

Now, I am thrilled to announce that I have been admitted to the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝘁 – 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 for the Master of Science in Financial and Enterprise Risk Management (MSFERM) program, with 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗦𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗠 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

The road ahead will be full of challenges, but as long as I have health and faith, I will continue striving to conquer it all.

Keeping this milestone here – let’s revisit it in 5 years! 🇺🇸🇻🇳

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, 14th July 2025

@krystenxmvn

When I received the offer from the school I loved the most, I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. The day I received my I-20 or U.S visa, I couldn’t stop looking at it. I kept thinking back to the days when, at work, I would review client paperwork and saw student visas belonging to my clients’ children. I admired them so much and quietly wished, deep in my heart, that one day I could have one too. And now, I finally have one of my own.
Just after I received my I-20, the U.S. government announced a temporary suspension of student visa interviews worldwide. I was quite worried, but I stayed positive and patiently waited for further updates. After one month, I was able to secure an interview appointment—at a time when very few slots were available. In the end, after answering 14 questions from the consular officer, I finally received my visa.
A leather shoulder bag, my laptop, and a notebook—my constant companions, wherever I go.
Memories of working late nights, riding my motorbike through heavy rain and strong winds, with flooded streets rising halfway up the wheels, my entire body soaked.
In my free time and on weekends, I drift between libraries and coffee shops, spending entire days studying and researching.
To me, time is extremely important because everyone only has 24 hours in a day, I always try to use it to the fullest and never letting it go to waste.
There was a time when I was seriously burned out. I worked too much, didn’t eat properly, and my health really suffered. I was in and out of the hospital and kept getting sick. That’s when I truly realized how important health is. Without it, everything else means nothing — no matter how much money you make or how high your position is. So please, don’t be like me. Take good care of your health and be kind to yourself.
I drew this plan at the end of 2023 as a roadmap for the next two years. I’m incredibly surprised and grateful that everything has unfolded exactly according to the path I set — almost like a miracle.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist