Education & Times – Once rejected from admission, unwilling to accept defeat, international student Lưu Minh Hiển (from Đà Nẵng) persevered and successfully secured a spot as an official master’s student at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
I. A Slight Ego Bruise When Facing Rejection
My first impression of the young man from the coastal region was his bright smile, confident demeanor, and physique—perfect for an MC. But as we spoke, I quickly noticed his maturity and composure—qualities of a true leader.
Reflecting on his challenging yet rewarding academic journey, Hiển recalled:
He attended Lê Quý Đôn High School for the Gifted in Đà Nẵng. Initially, he wasn’t particularly outstanding, but in 12th grade, he made a significant leap forward by adopting a scientific and disciplined study approach. His efforts paid off when he received a city-funded scholarship to study abroad in the United Kingdom.
Hiển first enrolled in the INTO Manchester preparatory program. He aspired to attend the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), but the prestigious institution refused to accept his foundation program, effectively rejecting his application.
With a slight ego bruise, Hiển decided to pursue his undergraduate studies at the University of Manchester. He remained determined to follow his chosen path and, after three years of dedication, excelled in his studies.
Majoring in International Business, Finance, and Economics, Hiển graduated as the valedictorian of his program and ranked among the top 0.5% of students at the university, which had over 40,000 students.
Beyond academics, Hiển actively participated in extracurricular activities, including the Manchester Leadership Program, the Vietnamese Student Association in Manchester and the UK, and various charity projects. He also gained a reputation as a respected tutor, teaching Mathematics, Economics, Finance, and Accounting to British students.
Additionally, Lưu Minh Hiển taught Vietnamese to British entrepreneurs who sought to invest in Vietnam. He secured internships at numerous leading corporations and financial firms in the UK.
With such impressive achievements, after three years, Hiển finally earned admission to the master’s program at the London School of Economics and Political Science—fulfilling the dream he once had.
II. A Memorable Experience and an Early Life Lesson
At the start of his studies at the University of Manchester, Hiển encountered difficulties adjusting to the vastly different academic environment in the UK compared to Vietnam.
One particular incident stood out: he had carefully crafted an essay, seeking feedback from friends, including a British peer. Confident in his work, he submitted it—only to receive a shocking score of 45/100.
Though initially disheartened, Hiển did not give up. He sought advice from his professors to understand where he went wrong.
He soon learned that at the university level, strict academic standards required citations exclusively from peer-reviewed journals, academic articles, and books. This rigorous approach to sourcing had been overlooked in his initial work.
Adapting to this academic standard, Hiển gradually refined his study methods and successfully completed his master’s degree.
III. Dreams Upon Returning Home
From those small setbacks, Lưu Minh Hiển gained invaluable experience and developed a passion for guiding aspiring Vietnamese students who wished to study abroad. Along with his fellow overseas students, he initiated the “Igniting Passion for the Youth” program, sharing insights on studying in advanced education systems, effective learning strategies, and scholarship opportunities.
Driven by a desire to inspire and support young people, the program expanded beyond Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and Đà Nẵng.
For Hiển, this endeavor was not just a hobby—it was a personal joy and a lifelong dream.
The 9X-generation young man later left his position at the Department of Planning and Investment in Đà Nẵng. Today, Lưu Minh Hiển is the CEO of WISE ENGLISH, a language center with a mission to revolutionize how Vietnamese students learn English.
By integrating Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Linguistics, WISE ENGLISH has developed a six-step vocabulary learning method that helps IELTS test-takers rapidly boost their scores while cutting study time by 80%.
