Six years ago, in the first academic year of Edison Schools, every day just after 4 pm, teachers would notice a boy with a kind smile and a bright face, wearing a distinctive uniform, walking into the school. This routine continued for a year, as he took the school bus to pick up his younger brother after school.

The following year, his brother advanced to the third grade, while the boy with the bright face changed his schedule to regularly arrive at school by 7:30 am, heading straight to Building C and into class 8B1.

“I’m still grateful for my first-grade ‘stormy’ year,” said Uy Long. “That year, I was a bit mischievous, so my mom wanted to transfer me to a different environment to see if it suited me better. My brother and I took the entrance exam for Edison, I passed, but being shy, I was hesitant about the change. My brother adapted quickly and thrived. After the first semester, mom persuaded me once more. And from the second year at the Brick School, I became an EddieTeen!”

“If someone asks about the best decision I’ve made in the past five years, it would be this one,” he says. “My time at Edison has changed me a lot, in just half a year, I became more confident and made more friends. The environment at Edison back then was smaller, with approachable teachers and supportive peers. I grew up with Edison.”

“At Edison, I had numerous presentations and projects, and participated in many events. Initially, I wasn’t accustomed to visiting friends’ houses for group work, but it turned out to be fun. By tenth grade, I had the opportunity to MC some events. My confidence increased daily, and I no longer felt as shy as before. I’ve realized that nobody is perfect; everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to be confident and see the beauty in oneself first, then others can see it too.”

“After five years at Edison, especially at the high school level, I’ve found Edison’s curriculum to be taught differently, focusing on practical and creative aspects rather than just academia. This approach reduced my stress and made learning more enjoyable, without feeling overwhelmed by difficult concepts. Yet, the knowledge we gained was comprehensive enough for national exams.

For example, last year, we participated in a film project by the Literature department. With “Chí Phèo,” after the teachers had finished teaching, we reviewed the material by acting out the story, delving into characters’ personalities and contexts, and re-scripting the movie. This helped us understand the classic 11th-grade piece from multiple perspectives. When it came to the exam, my understanding was deeper and more nuanced than if I had only read the text.

English involved many projects focusing on speaking and writing skills. Our school greatly encouraged us in speaking and presentation skills, through competitions like Edtalk and Career Quest. These required us to move away from scripts and handle situations on stage, in front of an audience. This was very helpful for IELTS preparation and studying abroad.

Another point is Edison’s culture, where teachers and peers support each other. Entering the school, you’re never half a step away from greeting someone you know. I’ll miss that when I’m gone!”

“In 10th grade, along with two friends from Edison, I competed for a dual-degree program at Ams School. My friends passed, but I didn’t. Initially, I felt sad and regretful, but throughout high school, I participated in many activities, so I thought maybe changing schools wouldn’t have been the same (laughs).

I interacted with better students, built different relationships within the school, and met many people. The International Student Council consists of students from grades 6 to 12. Communicating with peers is easy, but interacting with younger students requires a different approach. During meetings and discussions, I had to use language that everyone from grade 6 to 12 could understand and feel comfortable with. This greatly aided me in university interviews, where I wasn’t afraid to use slang, always aiming to make the interviewers feel comfortable and enjoy the process ?.

With my current profile, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I think I’ve reached half of my goal.”

In this halfway mark, what’s the most important thing you’ve achieved, and what are your plans for the next stage?

“There are many factors to consider. Let me think about which is the most crucial. I believe it started with early preparation of my application, right from the summer of 11th grade. I had ample time to prepare, review, and seek help from teachers to be ready for the past journey.

For the upcoming half, I aim to gain admission to Vietnamese universities like the Diplomatic Academy, maintain a good GPA, and graduate with high grades. I’ll also use my IELTS scores and academic records for admission and focus on learning Japanese to master both English and Japanese in university.

I’d rank them as follows:

Independence: My mom guided me early on. But in reality, I did everything myself, from gathering information to submitting applications. I reminded myself not to rely on anyone.

Starting early: Building a foundation early allows for further steps, and sometimes, early preparation leads to changing goals. Early mistakes can be corrected.

Confidence: I haven’t been rejected by any universities yet. But honestly, I’m always prepared for that possibility. Sometimes, it’s not about being inadequate, but perhaps the university doesn’t see a fit. I’ve prepared to console myself and review what could be improved in my application. Maintaining confidence (not arrogance) and accurately assessing oneself is crucial to avoid discouragement.

Lastly, ensure you have time to relax and enjoy moments with friends. Only then can you truly find your path.

Recently, I’ve preferred staying home to enjoy time with my family, contemplating what it will be like to live far away. I’ll rent a place, cook for myself, and sometimes eat alone. At home, my mom and I cook together. She teaches me independence, standing by to guide me through tasks. She prepares some ingredients in advance, and I follow… Cooking lessons at school and from my mom have boosted my confidence in my culinary skills. Cooking is also a learning process, whether with mom or friends, it’s about learning to cooperate and harmonize with each other.

Thank you, teacher!

If you search for “Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân,” Google will return several articles:

Gia Hân Makes History at the National Golf Championship (https://tienphong.vn/golfer-gia-han-di-vao-lich-su-giai…)

11-Year-Old Golfer Sets Record at the National Golf Championship 2022 (https://tienphong.vn/golfer-11-tuoi-lap-ky-luc-cat-loai-tai-giai-vo-dich-golf-quoc-gia-2022-cup-vinfast-post1432644.tpo)

Several Under-Par Scores Recorded at the Opening Hanoi Junior Golf Club Open, with Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân Winning the Championship with a Total Score of -4 (https://vnewstoday.com/nhieu-diem-am-duoc-ghi-trong-giai…)

And that was the beginning of a conversation with the young student.

At the top of the list is ????????????. Talent plays a role, but perseverance is key. Next is ?????????. In this sport, it’s just you and your peers on the course, with no referees. You must play honestly and be responsible for yourself. Then, there’s ?????????? ??? ?????????. Training and competing outdoors in all weather conditions requires overcoming challenges. Lastly, ??????? – how you think and feel is crucial in competition.

I think that’s correct. No matter how good a shot is, maintaining calmness, or “calming down,” is essential. Getting too excited can make it hard to continue playing.

Around 10-12 hours. I spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes for meals and a midday rest, and I eat while training for other meals. It’s mandatory for me to go to bed early.

Do you feel disadvantaged compared to peers who attend regular school?

Sometimes, I feel a bit more strained. But my parents encourage me to persevere for future benefits, like meeting more talented people.

I try to do my homework between practice sessions and early bedtime. If I can’t finish, I wake up early to continue. If I still can’t finish, I ask for permission from my teachers. Edison teachers are supportive of my training and passions. However, I still need to complete my studies and maintain grades, combining in-person and online learning. This approach allows me to continue studying at a quality general education school instead of a sports school.

I have to take 1:1 online classes when necessary. I hope more like-minded peers join me at Edison so I can have classmates.

I enjoy the time I spend in class. We’ve been close since we were young. My friends ask about my golf practice, teasing, “Why is Hân’s family so rich, investing so much in Hân…?” I explain that I receive many gifts and sponsorships, like practice facilities, attire, and coaching fee reductions, due to my diligent practice and achievements. For example, I’ve become an Ambassador for two golf brands. As an ambassador, my main duty is to work hard and achieve high results, rather than appearing on broadcasts or advertisements. This suits me.

Oh, becoming an Ambassador also means signing contracts. I remember, you were one of the first to sign a contract with Edison Kid Radio*. Do these two feelings compare?

They’re different times with different thoughts, but the feelings are quite similar. Yes, they’re quite alike.

I’m very happy and proud of what I’ve achieved!

Thank you, teacher!

The name of the friend being waited for is Bui Quang Khanh, and the one waiting is Tien Dung, or it could be any other friends of 10A2 class.

Hung Anh, a student of class 10A2, said, ‘On the first day, Khanh came to class with Vinh – his close friend. I thought they were just two normal new friends like anybody else in class until Vinh stood up and took Khanh to the restroom. The next day, Vinh didn’t come to class anymore; he only came on the first day to make Khanh feel less lonely in the new school. But Khanh is never lonely; he usually sits at a same place, and we always gather around and talk to him.

“Even the other classes also joined us and played with him!” Hồng Long – class 10A3, said, “Khánh has a special talent: Just by holding your wrist, he can immediately recognize who you are. We’ve tried many times, and he always recognizes exactly.”

“What we find most admirable is that he’s just like us, open-minded, cheerful, easy-going, not self-deprecating, not pessimistic. The only difference is that he studies better than us in all subjects (laughs). “And we don’t understand why, despite not being able to see anything, he excels in all subjects like that.”

“This is the way to start a friendship as usual”- Teacher Hao, the homeroom teacher of Class 10A3, shared, “That was the intention of the school and other teachers. Khánh will be treated just like any other student. The whole class will study, play, and support each other as they always do.”

“I remember the first day I took him around the school. I said, “You will be here for 3 years for sure, I’ll take you around to see everything.” Khanh grabbed my forearm, and we walked. First, we went to building C, then building B, building A, and even building D. As we walked, I described everything to him. I also sit next to him in class, and he actually has a strange memory. Only Math, in high school, with too many difficult symbols, is really challenging for him, and unfortunately his learning software for the visually impaired does not provide him with much support. But he is really excellent at other subjects. He also taught me how to read Braille.” Hung Anh shared all this about his new friend.

The class is playful, mischievous, and loves to capture every homeroom teacher’s moments and post them on TikTok, but they are also very affectionate and close-knit.

At the opening ceremony of the 2023-2024 school year, being on stage to receive the ‘Full Scholarship’, Khanh was moved to tears as he expressed his gratitude to his teachers and friends for loving and helping him to integrate into the new environment.

Those who attended the opening ceremony may know that Khanh is the first student to receive a ‘Full Scholarship’ from Edison Schools, and enjoy Khanh’s performance entirely, but may not know that Khanh is the first visually impaired student of the Piano Department – Hanoi Institute Of Music.

The story of Khánh’s life journey, with his teachers and friends in Hải Phòng, with the first teacher who helped him to learn piano, with the professors at Hanoi Institute of Music who created special lesson plans for him, and with his fate with the “Red Brick School,” will continue.

A long journey has passed, and a new chapter is about to begin with a lot of new experience ahead. In this journey, teachers and friends from class 10A2 at Edison Schools are always with him.