Pham Huu Vang

Warm Heart & Warm Brain

In Vietnam, I am a general surgeon and a lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City. Many people say that a surgeon needs a warm heart and a cool brain to overcome stressful operations. Personally, I think this is true. I always practice to achieve that goal in every operation I perform. However, outside the hospital, I think I also have a “warm brain” (😊). I enjoy photography, hiking, and cooking in my free time. The most memorable experience in my youth was reaching the peak of Fansipan, which felt like overcoming difficulties to achieve wonderful results. My favorite maxim is “Work hard, play hard!”

The Taiwan & TMU Experience

I think the most important factor influencing my decision is that Taiwan is a developed, free, and safe country. I had the chance to visit Taiwan a year before I started studying here. Since then, I have recognized Taiwan as a peaceful and beautiful nation. When I visited hospitals in Taipei, I found them to be very modern, clean, and well-equipped. Almost all advanced technology in medicine is present in Taiwan’s hospitals. Additionally, the Taiwanese government and universities, such as TMU, have provided significant financial support, making it more convenient for me to follow my program. I believed that studying here would boost my future career.

I am currently enrolled in the International Ph.D. Program in Medicine at Taipei Medical University. Most students have the opportunity to research issues related to clinical medicine. Besides attending classes, I spend most of my time working in a laboratory at Academia Sinica. My project is about colorectal cancer, which also relates to my field in Vietnam. The best thing is that all my lab mates have supported me a lot and taught me everything I needed. Moreover, I can also spend time traveling around Taiwan because I know it has numerous beautiful landscapes and uniquely designed buildings.

I think teachers in Vietnam and Taiwan all have good and broad knowledge. The schools also create a good environment for students to develop their knowledge and skills. In Taiwan, I have noticed some special aspects that I need to learn from. Firstly, there are many courses designed in one semester that may be suitable for all students’ needs. Additionally, the number of students in each class is not too many, which promotes the quality of the lessons and interaction between teacher and students. Moreover, the school website is very good, convenient, and useful. Most information such as courses, announcements, grades, etc., can be found on the website.

Challenges Turned Opportunities

The greatest difficulty I faced when coming here was the language barrier. I had a hard time communicating with landlords for renting a room because they could not speak English well. I also encountered difficulties in buying things in traditional markets due to not understanding the labels. However, I saw this as a good opportunity to learn a new language. I tried to learn more Mandarin and practiced with my local lab mates. Luckily, I have many friendly Taiwanese friends who help me correct my Mandarin sentences and never laugh at me. Therefore, even though my Mandarin is still not very good, I now feel confident to communicate a bit in Mandarin when I meet Taiwanese people.

The most important achievements I have reached after studying in Taiwan are making new Taiwanese friends and creating invaluable memories. When I first arrived here, my Taiwanese lab mates helped me find and rent a room. They introduced me to many beautiful places in Taiwan and taught me how to conduct experiments. My new landlord is also a nice guy. He often gives me Taiwanese dishes and shows me how to reach new places in Taiwan. Besides, traveling in Taiwan is a memorable experience. The public transport is very convenient and helps me reach anywhere I want. The landscapes here are harmonious with the environment and nature. I will never forget the experiences I have had while living in Taiwan.

Taiwan Education Benefits & Future Plan

I think I will certainly gain a lot of useful knowledge from my Ph.D. program. I am learning how to think and work independently, which is necessary for conducting research or making decisions in the future. As we know, Taiwan has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Therefore, by combining learning in the hospital, I can also approach advanced methods in surgery that will enhance my career. Besides, learning a new language is also an advantage in life. This has been a good time for me to practice both English and Chinese.

I think I should return to Vietnam after I finish the program here. As mentioned earlier, I am a lecturer, so I really want to pass on new knowledge to my students. I also want to inspire them to dream of studying overseas. From my experience, I realized that studying in a new country opened my mind. I learned about new cultures, made new friends, and learned how to adjust to a new environment. Moreover, I want to bring back the new knowledge I have learned to contribute to my country’s development. I believe that in the future, I will have many opportunities to return to Taiwan for further study and cooperation.

Advice for Prospective Students

I think most people have already found out a lot of information before they decide to study abroad. If I had a chance to share my feelings during this time, I would like to say: “Hi guys. If you are still hesitating about which country is a good choice for your overseas studies, I have a suggestion for you. Please visit Taiwan once before making your decision! I am certain that you will feel differently compared to other Mandarin-speaking countries. You will find an active country that is not noisy, with friendly and helpful citizens, and a harmony of artificial and natural landscapes. Moreover, the Taiwanese government cares about research in numerous fields, making it much easier to find a place for conducting your research. Personally, I think studying in Taiwan may bring you good chances in your future career.”