Vietnamese student wins Yonsei full scholarship after tackling question on Trump's trade policies

Nguyen Ngoc Tra My, a 12th-grade English major at Nguyen Trai High School for the Gifted, will study Economics at Underwood International College, part of Yonsei University in South Korea. The school ranks 50th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by U.K.-based education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds, and second in South Korea, behind Seoul National University.

"I screamed with joy," My said, recalling how anxious she was before the results, unable to sleep and even brought to tears.

She had earlier been accepted to seven universities in Belgium, France, the U.S., and South Korea, with three offering scholarships. Initially choosing KU Leuven in Belgium, she had completed her visa and started learning French. But after Yonsei's offer, she changed course.

A longtime admirer of Korean culture, film, and music, My initially avoided applying to Korean schools because she did not speak the language. But after shifting focus, she began taking Korean language classes to prepare.

Nguyen Ngoc Tra My in a photo she provides.

My's dream of studying abroad began in 9th grade after watching videos of international student life. She set her sights on joining her school's English-specialized class to build a strong foundation. Despite doubts about her academic profile, she began preparing applications late in her 11th grade. After five months of intensive IELTS study, she scored an 8.0 on her second attempt. She took online SAT classes and studied during every spare moment, eventually scoring 1500/1600 on her fourth attempt.

Beyond academics, she actively participated in competitions such as Dash for Impact 2024, the Vietnam Innovation Challenge, the Vietnam Economics Olympiad, and Climate Science 2024. She also joined the marketing team of a student-led project at Younited School in Israel and founded a project introducing the cultures of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.

Starting late, My admitted she had trouble balancing schoolwork, test prep, and extracurriculars. "There were times I felt overwhelmed," she said. "But thinking of my study abroad dream gave me the strength to keep going." She learned to plan her time more effectively and focus on one task at a time.

Her Yonsei application included two essays. She was especially proud of her 600-word main essay, which highlighted her personality and interest in economics. She wrote about an experience in 11th grade watching a water puppet show, when a foreign tourist said they loved the performance but did not understand its meaning. That moment sparked her interest in using economics to support cultural tourism in Vietnam.

"South Korea has done this well. I hope one day Vietnam can, too," she said.

Roughly two months after applying, My was invited to a 10-minute interview with two Yonsei professors. Although she had prepared carefully with a mentor, she froze at several points. The professors asked whether she had studied economics through the IB or A-Level programs, and to name two economic concepts relevant to Vietnam's future.

As a public school student, My said she had only basic knowledge from her civic education class. She answered honestly, emphasizing the importance of import and export in shaping Vietnam's economy.

The most unexpected question was: "What do you think of President Donald Trump and his actions regarding trade wars?"

My responded that she neither supported nor opposed his policies. While his decisions may have served U.S. interests, she noted, they had ripple effects on other countries. She stressed the importance of negotiation and diversifying international partnerships to safeguard national interests.

A week later, she received her admission notice.

My believes her authenticity and focus on cultural and economic development made her application stand out. If she could do it again, she said she would take standardized tests earlier to build a stronger profile.

For other students, she recommends choosing extracurriculars aligned with personal interests. "I'm passionate about both culture and economics, so I built my projects around those. That helped Yonsei understand how I fit."

My's homeroom teacher, Nguyen Thi Nga, described her as "a diligent, kind, and outstanding student." She added: "My's journey reflects her persistent effort and strong desire to rise above challenges."

This August, My will begin her studies in South Korea. She plans to pursue graduate school and eventually launch her own business.