Meet our alumni: Hoa Tuan Kiet, Class of 2022

To start with, please tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Tuan Kiet. I joined BIS Hanoi in Year 4 and finished my high school education here in 2022, completing both the IGCSE and IBDP programmes. In my spare time, I like to play basketball and build enormous Lego sets. Surprisingly, I do read from time to time. 

When you look back at the past 10 years you have spent here, what are your favourite memories of BIS Hanoi?    

I always looked forward to going on school trips with my friends and teachers almost every year. It gave me the opportunity to experience new things, such as camping in Da Lat and exploring its wilderness on long excursions. Another memorable trip was to Tanzania, where I learned about a new culture while doing meaningful service, such as fundraising for a village community and helping in the building of a school. Aside from trips, I remember teaching my Year 12 History class when the teacher was absent. I initially agreed merely to walk to the teacher's desk and plug in my computer to show the work. We began joking about my teaching and ended up going through the entire lesson's worth of tasks. Thank you to my fellow "students" for sticking with me :)  

How has BIS Hanoi shaped the way you study in your 10-year learning journey?

I became more proactive in my studies, often starting and finishing projects early to avoid missing deadlines. I also improved my ability to perform well under pressure as because of the recurring end-of-term tests. BIS will always be precious to me because of the friends and teachers I met there. I can ask for advice on a wide range of issues, from academic to personal, because of the different backgrounds/experiences of others around me. Sometimes doing things alone is not the best option, as is a single narrative that does not tell the entire tale. 

What were your biggest achievements during your time at the school?   

I was able to balance the rigorous schoolwork with many extracurricular activities. My friends and I founded our own charity organisation Hoop Dreams, where we raised nearly $40,000 to build 3 basketball courts for underserved communities in Hanoi and donate 36 hoop poles to 18 public schools in need on the city outskirts. I then interned for the Vietnam Television as a translator. I also researched, authored, and published academic articles. All of this was accomplished while meeting IB deadlines throughout the summer of 2021. Not only that, but I am grateful to BIS for the chances the school has provided me, such as serving as a mentor at the UNICEF National Solutions Summit and arranging the school's first basketball all-star tournament. 

How did you find the 2-year IB Diploma Programme? 

The IBDP is a demanding challenge that requires self-discipline and a strong will to overcome. The thought of being stressed out attempting to finish work at the last minute motivated me to get started early, set a schedule, and handle each deadline one by one.

I am particularly grateful for the program's interdisciplinary aspect. The IBDP was beneficial to wanderers like me who are unsure of their future. I thoroughly investigated six different subjects, including an academic topic for the EE and other extracurricular activities for CAS. As a result of the IB's challenging nature, I now have a clearer idea of my interests and what I want to be in the future.

What skills did you develop whilst at BIS Hanoi from outside the classroom? 

My confidence and leadership. I used to be a quiet person who only spoke when necessary. Putting myself in positions of responsibility, on the other hand, forced me to go beyond my comfort zone and be dependable for others. As a leader, I learned to accept responsibility for the group's failings while also ensuring that everyone appreciate what we had accomplished. Whether organising a basketball game at school or raising funds to build basketball courts in Hanoi, leadership is mainly about gaining the trust of and motivating my peers, which cannot be done silently. Anything is possible after that. 

What do you wish you had done differently during your time at BIS Hanoi? 

“Do not be sorry. Be better.” – Kratos, God of War (2018) 

I completed my journey at BIS Hanoi with no regrets. Whether small or significant, every mistake carved a path to becoming who I am today. 

Now that you have graduated from BIS Hanoi, which university are you attending and why did you choose that university/major?     

I am attending the University of California, Berkeley with an intended major in Political Economy. I chose this major with my favourite subjects in mind: political science – the power to allocate resources – and economics – how resources give individuals, agencies, and firms power. I am also thinking of doing a minor in Data Science. Currently, many governments and companies rely on data for decision-making in the digital age. Therefore, I believe it complements my study in politics and economics well. The minor also explores a bit of computing and coding, giving me a technological background essential in today’s world.

What would you say to your teachers who supported you through your education at BIS Hanoi?

Their guidance has been invaluable, and their impact on my life has been immeasurable. Over the course of my 10 years at BIS, I've seen a lot of teachers come and go, but each one has made an indelible mark on me. Because of them, I became interested in subjects that I would not have otherwise. I appreciate the memories we made, from the silly to the serious. Thank you so much :)

What advice do you have for your BIS fellow students as they continue their journey through BIS Hanoi, and get ready for the IB?

I know that not everyone has the urge to start early, and that some people work better under pressure when a deadline is near. However, you should complete your IAs/EE at least a week before your deadlines. This way, you'll have enough time to ask your teachers about anything you're unsure of, as well as enough time to remedy the mistakes on your first work. Furthermore, if you begin early, you will have more time to complete the task, which may mean doing it piece by bit every day if you lack motivation. When you first begin the IB, you may not realize the benefits of this tip. However, as the IA deadlines, university applications/requirements, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities begin to pile up in your second year, you will be glad that you have gotten most tasks out of the way beforehand.

Thank you Tuan Kiet!