Singapore - Thuy Linh
Student: Thuy Linh
Course: Bachelor of Business Analytics
Program: GEM Trailblazer Summer Program June/July 2025
Thuy Linh is an international student from Vietnam.
Describe the city you were living in: the landscape, the culture, the weather etc.
Singapore is such a vibrant and exciting city: modern, colourful, and always buzzing with life! The heat and humidity were a big change from Melbourne’s winter, but honestly, I kind of loved it. Most mornings started with breakfast at the hall canteen before heading to my Organisational Behaviour Design class. The lectures were so engaging, and since everyone came from different countries, every discussion turned into a fun exchange of ideas.
How did you spend your weekends?
After class, I would study (or at least try to) with friends at Lee Wee Nam Library before rushing to get ready for our evening plans. Weekends were for exploring: learning about Singapore’s history on the city tour, flipping roti at the prata-making class, and celebrating ASEAN Cultural Night with friends dressed in their national costumes. We also hit Sentosa, Marina Bay, and pretty much every hawker centre in the city (food adventures never ended!). I made friends from Europe, America, and Asia, and we instantly clicked, by the end, it really felt like a family away from home.
How did you decide which study abroad opportunity to do?
I always wanted to do a winter exchange because it is the perfect time when students from Europe, Asia, and America join summer school. I chose the GEM Trailblazer Summer Program at Nanyang Technological University because it offered both strong academics and cultural activities, the best of both worlds!
Was there some aspect of your trip that was different to your expectations?
One thing I did not expect was how quickly everyone connected. From day one, it felt like being part of an international family. We learned so much from each other, from study habits and university life to stories about their home countries. It really changed the way I see the world.
What's your one piece of advice for a student who is preparing to study abroad? How should they prepare?
My biggest advice? Plan early! Save an elective, check eligibility (especially if you are an international student), and apply as soon as possible. Also, save money, not just for travel, but for the experiences that make the trip unforgettable. You might visit the same country again one day, but you will never have the same people and moments!
How will your trip add value to your studies ie. Did you gain credit? Was it to increase your employability?
This program also counted as one credit towards my Trimester 2 studies and gave me a broader mindset and new perspectives. Hearing how my American friends apply for co-op internships or how my Danish friend took a gap year to learn massage therapy opened my eyes to so many paths I never knew existed.
What motivated you to travel further as an international student?
I have always loved travelling, every chance I get to hop on a plane, I take it! So when I found a program that let me study at a prestigious university and explore a modern Asian country like Singapore, I did not even have to think twice. Studying abroad while already studying abroad? It just sounded too cool to miss.
What is a piece of advice or tip you would give an international student who is thinking about studying abroad?
My biggest advice for other international students is to plan early, seriously, it makes all the difference. I started planning in my first year, initially thinking of doing a full-trimester exchange before deciding on a short-term winter program. The process is not as simple as it looks, especially for international students who often face extra requirements. So, book a consultation with a student advisor, save your electives, and most importantly, save money for the experiences, they are what make it all worth it.
I am also incredibly grateful to have received the Deakin Abroad International Student Grant. As an international student, opportunities like this do not come often, and this grant meant a lot, it helped ease my living costs in Australia while I was overseas and made the whole experience possible.