Ngo Tan Lam Ha
Personal Statement
“Xin Chào’’. My name is Ngo Tan Lam Ha, I’m from Vietnam. I felt so lucky when I found UWC from the Internet. The time I discovered about UWC means so much to me. I read, felt, understood the mission that the International organization wants to educate international students to have a better world and I began to cherish to become a UWCer.
I decided that I wanted to live and study in this multicultural environment. And finally my dream came true when I received the letter from Mrs. Jan Bishop announcing that I was provided a half schoolarship to go to Atlantic College. At that time I felt like the happiest person on earth.
On 19th of August, I arrived at Atlantic College. The first time I stepped into the campus I was amazed by the natural beauty of AC and I promised myself to appreciate every moment in these 2 years at AC.
I view the opportunity to study at AC as both exciting and demanding. However, it is the difficulty, the challenge, that really excites me about the experience. I personally love such pressure because having to push myself to excel will give me a sense of purpose and motivation.
I take 7 subjects ( Vietnamese Self Taught, English B, Spanish ab inito at Standard level, Mathematics, Biology, Economics at Higher level and as the 7th subject, Further Maths). During the first 2 weeks I studied, my teachers and the way we were taught made me feel very enthusiastic. In Economics, Mr. Julian Jones let us do the progress and looked for the information about the new lesson and represented in front of the class. And after our representation, he gave some remarks and classified all the knowledge to make us understand and remember easily.
Besides my 7th subject, I found the passion with numbers, graphs, sequences… it’s so fabulous. I believe I will be provided so much valuable knowledge from the respectful teachers and lovely friends.
IB is not only based on academics, we have community service and creative activities. Every Monday and Tuesday afternoon I go to valley to do my service- ESTATE and on Monday evenings I discuss and discover about children in Children‘s Charities activity. Besides, I have wonderful time playing Badminton every Wednesday afternoon.
In conclusion, I have to admit that the opportunities and challenges provided by Atlantic College are always the best way to help students discover the surrounding environment enthusiastically. From my view, this is crucial to develop them intellectual and happy generations.
Dear Sponsors,
Firstly, may you allow me to introduce myself as: my name is Tan Lam Ha Ngo, from Vietnam. And, I would like to send my most sincere thanks to Sirs!
I once wrote on the site of AC "I felt like the happiest person on this earth" since the very first moment i first set step in the Atlantic College. That was an indescribable feeling!
Back to the time about two years ago when I fortuitously discovered and learnt about the UWC’s annual scholarship programme , I had promised myself to try all the best to be a member of the UWC organization, my largest wish ever after 17 years.
With all endeavours along with a bit lucky, i was finally chosen to study at the AC after a long and interested conversation whereas the content of which still last in most of my gorgeous dreams. Nonetheless, the biggest issue came in when i sadly realized that my family’s financial capacity was unlikely to afford such high and expensive studying standard in the UK. My dream was almost swept but again, my luck had not run out when Mrs Jan Bishop generously granted me a great offer that i couldn’t refuse, a 50% scholarship. This finally brought me to this land of knowledge, success and prosperity
I've been living here for 2 months. For me, everything is new and challenging, but extremely interesting and meaningful. Staying with the fact that, though my English remains poor, but surely I will strive to develop. I love all the courses that I have chosen: Higher Mathematics, Higher Economics, Higher English (B), Self Taught (Vietnamese), Standard Biology, French Abinitio and especially Further Mathematics. All the teachers are very dedicated to students and they are all willing to get us out whenever we struggle to proceed. .
Beside all theoretical lessons, in one hand, I engaged myself in the service of Estate- whereas I find it‘s highly interested by digging holes, planting trees, picking apples, and cleaning valley. In essence, all these types of physical work define me the value of nature in a way of discovering and experiencing part of rural works . In the other hand, participating in some activities is another favourite of mine. Particularly, in every Monday evening, we have a Children Charities activity and this is time that we enthusiastically jump in debates of how to make thing better for children who have been facing with issues like child labour, child trafficking, etc... Honestly, i am very interested in joining this since visiting and playing with disadvantaged children are what I am used to doing when staying in Vietnam. And obviously, i don’t forget to register my only known sporting activity, the badminton, in every Wednesday afternoon as i see it one of moments to efficiently relax and fresh myself. .
In the evening, I usually go to the library for book-reading and self-studying. From my studying opinion, staying alone with books in hand is properly the best way to embrace and fully explore what the authors are after. Saturday and Sunday are days of free activities as i and my roommates are used to spend time together enjoying some of our traditional own cooked foods and for the lady’s most excitement, shopping. It’s so fabulous.
Despite barriers of language, personality, and country of birth, working and playing together under the same roof of AC have granted me valuable friendships. Although I am the only Vietnamese student in the AC but seemly, I am not feeling lonely as there are always many good friends around, who are more than willing to assist when i struggle. . Additionally, I am so lucky to have a wonderful link family. In the afternoon last week Mr and Mrs Norris (my link family) took me to their house where we enjoyed a warm dinner and closed talk together. This is my first time living away from my parents; I really understand the importance of family moments.
2 months have passed and I have really grown: from awareness to action. In coming time, I must strive to be a good student, being active in all school activities. I wish in the future I would be like Sirs; being successful to contribute to the development UWC organization in general, and AC in particular.
Finally, one more time, thanks for granting me this great opportunity and I promise to study harder to deserve with your trust.
Best regards!
Ha Ngo Tan Lam
