Every journey begins with a single first step. In recent days, the incoming students of the Advanced Program in Business Administration took that very first step together, opening a new and promising chapter ahead.
On September 14th, students of Cohort K65 in the Advanced Program in Business Administration held their First Meeting – the inaugural gathering with the faculty members who will accompany the class throughout the four transformative years ahead at Foreign Trade University – College of Business.
Many students had initially anticipated that the First Meeting would consist of a lengthy, administrative briefing on academic regulations. In reality, however, the experience proved to be entirely different.
Rather than introducing complex concepts or dense theoretical frameworks, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoa Hong and Dr. Tran Minh Thu – lecturers at the College of Business – opened the session with genuine personal stories, real-life experiences, and heartfelt words of guidance for the incoming students.
Notably, Dr. Hoa Hong, the homeroom instructor for the class, shared a remark that deeply moved many students: regardless of whether a student is introverted, quiet, or less outspoken than their peers, she would still remember each of their names and faces. This simple yet sincere statement appeared to lift an unspoken burden from the hearts of many first-year students, who had quietly wondered whether they would truly stand out within an entirely new community.
During the session, the faculty members also took the time to help incoming students gain a deeper understanding of the academic path they had chosen. The Advanced Program in Business Administration was developed based on the curriculum of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) – an institution whose business program holds AACSB accreditation, one of the most prestigious and highly regarded certifications in business education worldwide.
Yet, such credentials and rankings serve merely as a foundation. What matters most is the learning environment the program provides: instruction conducted entirely in English, a global mindset, and opportunities to engage with international professors alongside the highly qualified faculty of Foreign Trade University.
Another key message emphasized during the session concerned the significance of turning eighteen – a milestone marking the transition toward greater autonomy in thought and action. Entering university represents an important turning point in each student’s life. The shift from the status of “student” at secondary school to “student” at university level is not merely a change in terminology, but demands a genuine transformation in mindset and approach to learning.
Whereas at the secondary level, teachers often reminded students of assignments and deadlines, the university environment offers an abundance of opportunities – ranging from academic competitions and research projects to extracurricular activities and valuable professional relationships. However, only those students who proactively seize these opportunities will truly be able to turn them into lasting value for themselves.
In addition, the faculty members affirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting students throughout their academic journey. Whether facing academic difficulties, uncertainty about future direction, or simply in need of advice, the doors of the College of Business office – and its faculty – would always remain open. After all, the four years of university life are not meant to be a solitary race, but rather a journey undertaken together, with companionship along the way.
The First Meeting has now concluded, yet it marks only the beginning of each student’s individual story – one shaped by their own distinct aspirations and ambitions – as well as the beginning of what promises to be among the most memorable years of their youth, written together within a close-knit and united community.
The four-year journey of Cohort K65 in the Advanced Program in Business Administration officially begins here, carrying with it the hope of a path defined by proactivity, rich experience, and the resilience to continuously grow.