A Dream, A Destination, A New Perspective
My name is Quế Anh, and I am a final-year Development Studies student at Hanoi University. This summer, I am privileged to participate in the Eighth International Student Conference organised by the Democratic Education Network (DEN) at the University of Westminster in London. Of course, London, for a Vietnamese girl, has been always a distant dream for years. But now, that dream may come true as I prepare to step into the heart of this vibrant city. This trip is more than just a visit – it’s a journey of learning, connecting, and personal growth.
London Through My Eyes: Expectations vs. Reality
London, in my imagination, is painted by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet or stitched together from enchanting movie scenes and snapshots on the Internet that I’ve seen. However, that’s just the London I’ve envisioned. I am eager to experience the real London by walking through historical places, tasting local food, and just watching people’s lives in London. To my mind, the spirit of a culture can be found in its daily activities. And of course, I also look forward to reuniting with my international friends again, whom I have met during the DEN events in Thailand and Vietnam since 2023.
More Than a Sightseeing: My Mission in London
My journey to London is not just about sightseeing – it’s about being part of something bigger. Attending the Democratic Education Network Annual Conference and engaging in cultural and educational discussions at the University of Westminster will allow me to broaden my horizons by discussing important issues such as sustainable development, inclusion, and gender equality. Besides, I will also have a chance to share about the issues of sustainable development in Vietnam with the students and professors there. And this time, I will shed light on child marriage in the H’mong community – one of the 53 ethnic minority groups in Vietnam that has a fine custom of “wife pulling” but now deviated into “wife kidnapping”.
The Takeaways: What This Journey Will Give Me
This conference is not only a place to discuss problems, but it is also a place to develop personally and professionally. It will help me to improve my presentation skills, to enlarge my international contacts, and to find a way to continue my education or to get a job in the UK in the future. Of course, being a senior comes with pressure, but I am ready for the challenge and plan to use this opportunity to the fullest.
I would like to dedicate my final words to appreciating the organising team, especially Prof. Dr. Farhang and Dr. Alan, for allowing me to take this journey. I hope to see everyone soon in London, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Quế Anh Mai, Hanoi University