Meet Lan Anh, a sophomore student at KU Leuven University in Brussels, the largest university in Belgium. Lan Anh’s decision to study abroad started from a desire to escape problems she faced then, but it came to bring her bigger challenges.
Although she knew her Business Administration program would be tough, with a rigorous curriculum and many students failing to keep up, she’s managed to persevere. This is because Lan Anh’s greatest motivation comes from within. Breaking free from the pressure to be the 'perfect child', she learned to accept herself, even if it meant taking a gap year and facing comparisons.
On her preparation before leaving Vietnam
There is not much to say about my physical preparation, but my feelings were a mix of fear, excitement, and a sense of escape. I was afraid because my study program at KU Leuven wouldn’t be easy. For my major , we had 18 classes in the first year, but this year there are only 12 classes, because many have failed the exams and been expelled.
Although I always believe in myself, I’ve thought about the worst-case scenario of failing and having to return to Vietnam. Luckily, everything has been fine so far .
Also, I felt a sense of escape because I was overwhelmed with lots of personal problems by the time I went abroad. Honestly, they all disappeared, but it turned out that bigger problems awaited me (smile).
On her hobby
A hobby I’ve been practicing since I moved here is picnicking alone, usually after school. Sometimes I also hang out with friends, visit a nearby park and have some snacks, but most of the time, I spend my me-time going on picnics to reflect on myself and to be healed by nature.
On what keeps her going
I take myself as the biggest motivation. Previously, I projected the ‘perfect child’ image, which was in part attributed to the pressure of being an obedient and studious child to my parents and teachers. After high school, I took a gap year and escaped the race of peer comparisons, accepting that I could be a sophomore while my friends graduated.
The move to Belgium is, of course, more demanding than life in Vietnam, with more financial and time pressure. If I give up now, it would be a big problem. That being said, this decision turns out to be an incentive for me to strive even harder, for what I’ve chosen.
On staying connected to their relationships in Vietnam
For me, living abroad is like reconnecting relationships, especially with my parents. Back home, I didn’t talk much with them or share my daily life. But after moving to Belgium, I found myself calling them more often, which has brought us closer. Now, they know more about what’s happening in my life. Even though we don’t talk every day, our conversations are more meaningful. It’s like this distance has helped us grow closer and appreciate each other more.
On having an English name
My English name is Ivie, a combination of “Ivy” (a plant I like) and the ending “-vie.” To me, this ending carries a sense of my roots wherever I go. Also, as a child, I used the name Katie in English class (inspired by an athlete I admired back then, Katie Ledecky), and people said it was easier to remember my name with the “-ie” ending, which is less common than “-y.”
On what she learned from studying abroad
I’ve changed the way I perceive, conquer and face a problem. As I’ve said, moving abroad, for me, is like leaving behind small problems for bigger ones.
When I was scammed out of a lot of money, I called my mom. Instead of panicking, she calmly assured me that if I was safe, the rest wouldn’t matter. I think on my studying abroad journey, I learn a lot and so do my parents. They used to expect me to be a perfect child, meeting all their hopes. Now, they’ve come to accept me as I am, with all my flaws and struggles.
On how her outlook on life has evolved
I don’t regret my choices, no matter the outcome. Even if I were to be expelled from university and had to return to Vietnam, or if life here came with more struggles than back home, I wouldn’t regret it. Every experience, whether good or bad, helps me understand what works and what doesn’t.
On dealing with challenges
Sometimes, I just grab my backpack, hop on a train to another city, and spend time in the sun or by the sea. When I’m away from people I can talk to, negative feelings can get exaggerated, so I try to slow down. After everything’s occurred to me, I find that a quick 15-minute chat with my mom or a close friend is enough to lift my spirits.
On how she described herself in Vietnam and in Belgium
In Vietnam, I see myself as a porcupine—guarded, reserved, and hesitant to let people get close. I was tough on the outside and kept my distance, afraid to open my heart to others. In Belgium, I feel more like a capybara—warm, open, and willing to connect with people. I’m learning to build healthy relationships and welcome new friends into my life. Instead of thinking, “She’s not like me, so we can’t be friends,” I now open myself up to different people and experiences.
This or That
Movies or books?
Movies.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs. They’re friendly and easier to make friends with.
Netflix or Movie theater?
Netflix. I prefer staying at home and watching movies.
Instagram or Facebook?
Facebook. I use social media for sharing and updating my life. My facebook is like a blog page, honestly :)
Call or Text?
Call. Although I think I have telephobia (the fear of making phone calls), I can express emotions through calling, not texting, so I prefer the former.