I. Profile
Full Name: Lưu Minh Hiển
DOB: May 18, 1990
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Graduated with First-Class Honors in International Business, Finance, and Economics from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
HOBBIES: Swimming, table tennis, traveling with friends, reading psychology books…
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Awarded a 100% Talent Development Scholarship by Da Nang City.
Ranked in the top 0.5% of outstanding students at the University of Manchester, UK.
Received the £1,000 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award from the university and the £100 First Prize in the Business School.
Received job offers from two top 10 accounting, auditing, and financial firms in the UK.
Worked as a private tutor for many British students.
Volunteered in various programs: Vietnam Open Festival (London), Manchester Leadership Programme – environmental protection, Forever Manchester charity fundraising, Peer Mentor – supporting first-year students…
Lưu Minh Hiển (born in 1990) is a graduate of the University of Manchester, UK, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He was able to study abroad after earning a prestigious 100% Talent Development Scholarship from Da Nang City.
During his time in the UK, Hiển achieved numerous academic milestones in Manchester. Most notably, he recently graduated with First-Class Honors, achieving an impressive 83% overall grade, placing him in the top 0.5% of students at the University of Manchester (out of over 30,000 students).
Hiển was also awarded the £1,000 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and will soon receive an official certificate from the university, being honored at the graduation ceremony. Additionally, he won the First Prize in the Business School, receiving a £100 award.
This exceptional international student has shared many valuable insights from his numerous academic successes. Reflecting on his journey, he realized that studying abroad was far more challenging than he initially thought while still in Vietnam.
II. Getting to Know Study Abroad Student Lưu Minh Hiển
Hi Hiển! How does it feel to graduate from a UK university with such outstanding achievements?
Honestly, I feel very happy and proud. I never even thought I would get a scholarship to study abroad, but now, four years have passed, and I’ve just graduated from university. It all feels like a dream.
Balancing both studying and working must have required effective study methods and good time management. How did you manage it?
Before taking my graduation exams in Vietnam, I was lucky to come across the book “I Am Gifted, So Are You” by Adam Khoo. It helped me gradually change my approach to studying and thinking in the right direction. My initial failures, along with the positive results I later achieved, helped me adjust and refine my study methods to become more effective.
From there, the opportunity to study abroad opened up for me. I believe that to truly learn well, you need to study to “understand” and apply knowledge to life, rather than just to “pass” exams. Additionally, I always note down my tasks and priorities in a planner on my computer to ensure I complete everything on time. This way, despite having a busy schedule, I still have time to relax and unwind.
During my free time, I usually listen to music, chat with friends, browse Facebook, or invite my friends to go swimming or hit the gym together.
What are some valuable lessons you learned from studying at a top university like the University of Manchester?
I gained essential skills such as teamwork, presentation, and communication—areas where many students from Vietnam, including myself, often lack experience. This environment also taught me to be highly independent and broadened my perspective on the world.
The opportunities to work, study, and connect with people from different backgrounds have been truly valuable. They have also helped me build confidence. I’ve realized that only when you are confident and true to yourself can you connect well with others and make a meaningful impact.
Do you think cramming right before exams is an effective study method?
I don’t support this approach. Studying day and night under pressure can make your mind exhausted, stressed, and less receptive to new knowledge. In my opinion, if possible, it’s best to study consistently throughout the semester—start with the more difficult subjects or those where you lack foundational knowledge, then move on to the easier ones. While studying, try to truly understand the material, relate it to real-life examples, and see its practical applications.
However, if the exam is approaching and you’re still unprepared, then of course, pulling all-nighters becomes necessary—but be sure to get enough sleep before the exam!
Have you ever encountered any academic challenges? How did you overcome them?
Yes, I did—especially during my first year at university. I had to write an essay for my Politics class, and since I was used to referencing sources like Wikipedia, blogs, and general websites during my foundation year (where such sources were acceptable), I did the same for this essay. However, at the university level, these sources are considered unreliable.
Even though my friends helped me check for grammar and language mistakes, I only scored 45%. I was a bit shocked, but I calmed down and met with my professor for more detailed feedback. That experience taught me which sources to use and what was expected in university-level essays.
Did your family support and encourage you in your studies?
Absolutely! My family has always been there for me, offering constant encouragement. My mom and sister are the strictest, but they’re also very understanding.
For me, “one day in the UK feels like a year in Vietnam,” so sometimes I felt a bit overwhelmed. However, this pressure helped me learn to manage my time effectively and complete my tasks well. My dad always encouraged me to travel whenever possible, believing that exploring new places is a great way to gain knowledge.
In your opinion, what should Vietnamese students prepare to integrate well with international students?
I think Vietnamese students should improve their English proficiency, develop essential soft skills for work, and adopt a professional work ethic. Most importantly, they need confidence—the ability to think independently, take initiative, and express their opinions.
Additionally, creativity and critical thinking are crucial. Instead of simply accepting things as they are, we should constantly ask “why” and explore new ideas. This mindset is what advanced education systems around the world emphasize and cultivate.
How can one effectively learn English?
In my opinion, the first step to effectively learning English is to clearly define your goal—whether it’s for studying abroad, obtaining an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, or any other purpose.
Once you have a clear goal, you need to stay focused, dedicate significant time, and avoid spreading your efforts too thin. Personally, when I had the opportunity to apply for a study abroad scholarship and only one month to prepare for the IELTS exam, I committed to intensive daily study. I was surprised to realize that in just one month of focused learning, I absorbed more knowledge than I had in years of high school when my learning was scattered.
Each skill requires a different learning method. For example, to actively use English, when learning new vocabulary or reading well-written essays, you should write down entire sentences or key phrases in a notebook rather than just individual words and their meanings. This helps you understand how words are used in context and improves both your writing and speaking skills.
Besides studying, how do you participate in work and social activities?
I love engaging in social activities because they help me develop essential soft skills. That’s why I enrolled in the Manchester Leadership Programme (MLP), which gave me the opportunity to volunteer for school projects called MLP Challenges.
These projects often focus on fundraising for charities, environmental protection, and supporting visually impaired children. I also volunteered at the Vietnam Open Festival in London, promoting Vietnamese cuisine and culture to international friends.
As for work, I’m currently interning at the accounting, auditing, and financial services company Mazars during the day, and in the evening, I work as a private tutor.
Has tutoring helped you in your studies and life?
I enjoy tutoring not only because it offers a flexible schedule but also because it helps me review my knowledge while assisting others in improving their learning strategies.
Additionally, tutoring allows me to meet new people, enhance my English communication skills, and even gain new perspectives on Vietnam through the eyes of foreigners. Right now, I’m teaching Vietnamese to several British people who plan to move to Vietnam for work and life.
Now that you’ve graduated, what are your plans for the near future?
I’ll soon be starting my Master’s program at the London School of Economics (LSE). After that, I hope to apply the knowledge, experiences, and skills I’ve gained to contribute, even in a small way, to the development of my country.
