Quiet Strength, Big Dreams: How Thieu Thi Ngoc Diep turned Persistence into Success

Success stories often start with extraordinary talent or early triumphs. Thieu Thi Ngoc Diep’s journey is different. There was no initial spotlight, no outstanding accolades at the beginning - just a young woman quietly searching for her path. Today, she stands among the top graduates of Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI), earning her degree in Japanese Language Studies with highest honors.

Thieu Thi Ngoc Diep: Top Japanese Language Graduate with a 3.89 GPA

For Diep, choosing to study a foreign language was never about chasing prestige. “I believed languages could open doors,” she recalls. Japanese, a language growing in global importance, seemed a practical choice. Yet from that seemingly ordinary decision, she carved out a truly exceptional journey.

One of her greatest passions turned out to be Kanji - the very subject that many language learners fear. By building a strong foundation in Chinese characters, she not only expanded her Japanese vocabulary and reading skills but also found learning Chinese easier later on. To her, every new word was more than just a piece of knowledge - it was a connection, a bridge linking her to a broader world.

At the Faculty of Japanese Language, under the School of Languages and Tourism at Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI), knowledge meets culture, creating a truly immersive learning environment

The path wasn’t without challenges. Reading comprehension in Japanese proved particularly difficult, often consuming long hours of study. But Diep never let frustration win. She adopted a flexible approach: when progress stalled, she shifted focus to shadowing exercises or Kanji practice before returning to difficult texts, breaking them down with dictionaries and AI tools like ChatGPT. It was this quiet persistence and adaptability that propelled her forward.

Communication, she believes, is the soul of language learning. Throughout university, Diep seized every opportunity to practice speaking - from cultural exchange events with Japanese students to conversations with native speakers and daily self-practice. “Understanding a language is not enough,” she says. “You need to live in it, to use it every day.”

Her hard work paid off in more ways than one. A defining moment came when she was selected to work alongside students from Ryukoku University, Japan, on a field research project in Vietnam. The joint team’s effort not only won first prize but also showcased her ability to think critically, collaborate across cultures, and communicate with confidence in a professional setting.

Graduating with a near-perfect GPA of 3.89, Diep attributes her success not to natural brilliance, but to steady dedication and a willingness to keep learning. “Consistency matters more than talent,” she says - a philosophy that shaped every aspect of her academic life.

Now working as an IT Comtor in a Hanoi-based software company, Diep has stepped into a field completely new to her. But just as with Japanese, she sees technology not as a barrier but as another language to master. In the future, she hopes to grow into roles such as Business Analyst or Bridge System Engineer (BrSE), leveraging her linguistic expertise to connect international teams and opportunities.

Her story may not be loud or glamorous, but it resonates deeply. Thieu Thi Ngoc Diep is living proof that extraordinary success often begins quietly - with a simple decision, followed by determination, day after day.