Staff Interview with Nguyen Hoang Lam

What inspired you to work for FPT University?  

The culture here is great and it makes me feel at home. My boss has had a lot of experience, he has taught me a lot, and his ideas always inspire me. My organization encourages innovation and support for everyone.

Describe a typical day at work.

I reply to emails and try to find new partners and meet them if possible. I also make some material for the Japanese market. When the students come to take part in our program, I will specifically support those who are Japanese and can not speak English very well. 

Why do you do what you do?

This is a really good job that is helping me build my career. I am learning a lot from colleagues, my boss, and from the students. 

What is your favorite part of your job?

I have the chance to meet a lot of new people, I learn a lot from my boss, sometimes I take business trips to Japan, and I have freedom which helps me be self-disciplined

How do you use your education and international background in your current role?

My major was Japanese language and now I use Japanese to talk with customers. I went to Japan to do an exchange program and internship, so I understand about Japanese culture. These have helped me communicate with people more effectively. 

What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?

I have to do what I am unfamiliar with and I overcome that by self-learning and asking for support. Also, I am shy when meeting new people, especially with people who are experienced because I have little experience in education. I overcome that by getting used to it and remembering the story behind FPT’s history.

What are some current projects you are working on?

I am currently working on active universal English for non-native speakers, a global internship, a study tour (all for Japanese), and a bachelor’s degree for BSE program in FPT University. 

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

You have to be the best version of yourself, be positive and active as much as possible, and keep the balance between your life and work because balance is the most important key to life. 

What makes FPT University special?

My organization is special because of the innovative spirit. In Vietnam, we are a trail-blazer in the IT business. Most of the staff here feels like they are at home. Our culture is also similar to Vietnam culture. 

Why should someone choose your FPT University over competitors?

We have a great company culture and we encourage students and staff, with full support, to do what they want to do. We have a good system compared to other companies and that's why we learn about the biggest organization in Japan and how it works. 

What hopes do you have for the future for FPT University?

I hope everyone can understand our organization's culture more, I hope the quality of FPT will grow, and I hope the organization will keep its innovative spirit. 

Are there any developments with FPT University that you would like to share with us?

When I was a freshman, I made a lot of mistakes because of my carelessness. My boss did not make me feel bad. He understood that I was a new member and that mistakes are normal. That's made me feel better and I reflected on myself more. 

What makes FPT University easy to market to potential participants?

Our university was established by a company, which is why we are very industry-oriented. Because of the closeness to the industry, we can provide programs that help participants deeply understand it. This may help them a lot in their careers. 

What is FPT University’s mission and how do you continue to work toward it?

FPT University's mission is to help students gain skills to help the globalization of the world. I understand and agree with this mission. I try my best to help students have great experiences and develop skills in our program. 

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

I hope they take away knowledge, experience, and an understanding of our country. I hope they can have a better image of our country and that our programs will help them in the future. 

How do you help support participants?

I support Japanese participants when they can not speak English well and I have their phone number incase of emergency. We also provide students with a pre-departure guide and an orientation to make it easier to get used to our country. 

If you could participate on one of FPT University’s programs, where would you go and what would you do?

I would participate in an English program in Danang and I would try to learn and make friends as much as possible. I would learn about what we could improve on to gain more satisfaction from customers. 

What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?

They often ask me about safety in Vietnam and the cuisine. I explain to them that Vietnam is one of the safest cities in the world and I recommend Vietnamese food and other restaurants which have their country’s food. 

Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?

The world is getting narrower and narrower. Everything is becoming more globalized and if people don’t understand foreign countries, they will never know about new cultures and new people. This will reduce the chance of having a global career. 

What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?

You should go abroad to broaden your horizons and understand different countries. With this experience, you can have a reflection into your country and you will understand your country's citizens more.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel means: knowledge, relaxation, new things, and new people. New knowledge about things can be taught by new people. This is the best travel to me. 

What hopes do you have for the future of international education?

I hope international education will be easier to get for students who come from developing countries like Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia etc. Humans are the same, but their environments are different. I want to bring international education to the poor.