PHAM SONG LINH

“I will miss Building C very much – Where I can see lots of love and smiles when stepping into the hallway”

PHAM SONG LINH

Outstanding achievements

Achieved Overall Outstanding Student Honors for the 2022-2023 academic year
Achieved an IELTS score of 7.5
Attained High Achievements at the Competition for Career Counselling - CAREERQUEST, and the Competition for Innovation and Technology - WETECH
Secured the position of 1st runner-up at EDTALK in Seasons 3 and 4
Served as President of the Edison International Student Committee for the 2022-2023 academic year
Actively participated in many other extracurricular activities

Phạm Song Linh – Awarded a 50% Scholarship to Tokyo International University

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!”

Have you ever regretted that decision?

“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.”

What aspect of yourself do you feel has “grown” the most?

“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.”

You mentioned “Edison has many events.” Some might worry this could impact academic performance. What are your thoughts?

“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!”

As the “President of the International Student Council,” what will you remember most?

“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.

In your opinion, what’s the most important factor in your university application journey?

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.

Studying in Japan means saying goodbye to all that’s familiar…

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.

You’ve made me tear up, as the day to say goodbye to another group of students draws near. I wish you always have positive, optimistic thoughts and continue to be affectionate with those around you.

Thank you, teacher!

Song Linh bids me farewell with a bright and gentle smile – just like the first day I met him. He has never refused any offer of help from teachers, except for the answer to the main question of this interview, “Which teacher at Edison impressed you the most?” But how could I blame him, as he offered that familiar and sincere smile: “That question is too hard, I can’t answer that, teacher!” Perhaps the readers can feel my affection through the title of this interview. I hope Song Linh and all students will always have the familiar and loving “corridor of Building C” to accompany them throughout their lives!