Conquering BUV’s British Ambassador Scholarship: “Proud to have my efforts acknowledged, but not too proud to stop trying harder”

Ngoc Diep, a young talent from the British University Vietnam, has shared her emotional journey to become the British Ambassador Scholarship Winner at BUV. Having been drawn to the arts from a young age, Diep’s journey was further fueled by her elder sister, who inspired and encouraged her to stay committed to her passion for creativity.

Nguyen Ngoc Diep is currently a second-year student majoring in Contemporary Creative Practice at British University Vietnam (BUV). With a passion and talent for creativity since childhood, Diep sees BUV as the canvas to enrich her artistic endeavours, making them more vibrant and dynamic. Here, Diep has the opportunity to explore various aspects of creativity across multiple disciplines. Not confined to just design or painting, Diep expands her knowledge in technology, communication, and management. These experiences have solidified her commitment to her envisioned future: returning to her hometown in Vinh to pioneer the field of artistic design, aiming to support fellow students who share her passion for creativity.

Diep’s childhood was adorned with brushes, coloured pencils, fabrics, and handmade goods. From experimenting with colours – crayons, watercolours, acrylics – to transitioning to computer-aided design in secondary school, Diep began producing her initial design works. Progressively, her artistic endeavours expanded into new disciplines, from photography to video editing and animation. Throughout this journey, Diep never walked alone, always accompanied by her beloved elder sister. “Both my sister and I share a natural and instinctive love for all things creative. She’s the one who showed me that art isn’t just a personal hobby; it can be a lifelong career pursued with seriousness,” Diep reflects.

Ngoc Diep has shown a deep passion for the arts since childhood

A significant milestone unexpectedly came during a debate competition jointly organised by BUV and a local English centre, in which Diep participated as a contestant. Diep entered with a simple thought: to test her abilities. However, perhaps it was this innocence that propelled the tenth-grade student towards successive victories and cultivated a “fateful connection” between Diep and BUV. With her impressive achievements, the young woman immediately caught the attention of BUV, and she chose this institution as her ultimate goal.

Remaining steadfast in her goals throughout high school, Diep diligently constructed a creative portfolio while maintaining her academic studies. Diep approached her portfolio with utmost seriousness, showcasing her diverse talents across various creative and artistic domains. It was her silent yet assertive way of demonstrating her commitment to her chosen field and future.

“Later, when I had the chance to interact with fellow students aspiring to major in Contemporary Creative Practice, I realised the importance of preparing a portfolio early. It’s the most articulate and impressive way to express your personality and affirm your mission and the value you can bring to the university. Therefore, you must take your portfolio seriously. Besides content, pay attention to design, infusing it with personal touches to present the most polished profile to the Admissions Committee. I believe that meticulousness makes a difference. This isn’t just an opportunity to showcase your talent or accomplishments; it’s your own stage to effectively narrate your story,” emphasizes Diep.

Ngoc Diep receiving the British Ambassador Scholarship from BUV

Diep chose to apply for the British Ambassador Scholarship because, at that time, it was the highest scholarship at BUV – covering 100% of tuition fees. With that same innocence, Diep simply wanted to test her capabilities and see if she could compete for such a prestigious scholarship. Upon officially becoming the Scholarship Winner, the creative student realised that her 100% scholarship not only represented an opportunity for free education but also served as recognition for her potential and serious efforts. However, Diep doesn’t take this as a reason for complacency; instead, she constantly reminds herself to be more responsible and steadfast in contributing to the not-so-distant future.

What’s more intriguing is that the crucial essay in her application portfolio was written entirely anew the night before the deadline. “Honestly, in the initial version, I was merely boasting about my dazzling achievements. Upon rereading, even I couldn’t feel anything from that piece. That night, as I battled a 38-degree fever due to COVID, I made a daring decision: to write a new essay, letting emotions and subconscious memories, sounds, and images guide each keystroke. The first story that emerged within me was about family memories, childhood art passions, the journey of growth, and most notably, the portrait of my elder sister – the greatest source of inspiration helping me stay firm on the path of pursuing art. Instantly, I felt an invisible yet profound emotional connection, and I believe this is the most accurate representation of who I am,” shares Diep.