Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My full name is Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong. I come from Vietnam.
Tell us something about your hometown and your country. What do you like the most about them?
I was born in the Quang Nam province, located in the central part of Vietnam. Both my hometown and my country are beautiful places that are worth living in. I like the peaceful vibe, the gentle lifestyle, and the people.
How would you describe the people of Vietnam?
I think Vietnamese people are some of the sweetest people in the world. They are very friendly, kind, and hospitable. Everyone is always eager to help each other and also foreigners.
What are your favorite places to visit in Vietnam?
My favorite place is Hoi An, a well-preserved ancient town that is also a major tourist attraction. Hoi An is located near my hometown, too. It is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. If you have a chance, do visit this historic town.
What is your favorite Vietnamese food and why do you like it?
I really like Pho and Quang noodles. These are two delicious Vietnamese dishes that are popular worldwide. Pho is predominantly a North Vietnamese food, while Quang noodles are a specialty in my hometown.
Why did you decide to study in Russia?
There are many reasons. First of all, I wanted to study information technology and as we all know, Russia is a country with good training quality in this field. Secondly, ITMO is one of the best universities in the world to study information technology. And finally, I chose to study in Russia because it offers me a great opportunity to not only learn tech but also get acquainted with the culture, the country, and the people here.
What are you currently studying?
I am enrolled in the Foundation Program at ITMO where I am learning the Russian language and culture. My program for Bachelor’s degree is Software Engineering (09.03.02)
Nguyen with her friends and teacher at the Foundation Program class. Photo courtesy of the subject
What made you interested in your field?
Since a very young age, I have loved learning about computers. At school, I took a liking to coding and building gadgets. Thus, I decided to pursue further studies in this domain.
How well do you speak Russian?
I have been learning Russian for only 3 months now. Therefore, my level is somewhere close to A1. I can speak some basic phrases, but in order to talk about more complicated topics or chat with the locals, I need further expertise.
What are your hobbies?
I have a few, but my favorites are reading books and listening to music. In my free time, my fondest thing to do is grab a book on my favorite topics such as history, science, and art. It provides me with not only good entertainment but also valuable information. I also listen to both Vietnamese and foreign music. It helps me improve my language skills.
How do you celebrate New Year at home?
In Vietnam, on New Year's Day, we often clean the house, prepare traditional dishes, organize parties and visit relatives and friends, wishing each other a good new year.
How did you celebrate it in Russia this time?
This was my first time celebrating it far away from home. My friends and I organized some special outings that included skiing and other small parties. I also celebrated my birthday, which was on January 5.
On behalf of every ITMO student and staff, I wish you a very happy belated birthday!
Thank you so much! It is very kind of you.
So, what are you looking forward to the most in 2023?
I hope that in 2023, I will be able to study the Russian language and become somewhat comfortable with it. The same applies to other school subjects as well. I also am optimistic about having some valuable experiences in Russia like making new friends, visiting new places, and learning new skills. In short, I want 2023 to be a very productive year for me.
Do you have any New Year's resolutions?
I do. I want to get better at studying in terms of enhancing my attention span and retaining capacity. At the same time, I also want to maintain a better work-life balance. Another area that I really want to improve is my communication skill. I want to become more effective at interacting with people. And finally, I want to practice healthy habits.
