Hà Phạm Bích Trâm – a talented young woman from the Biomedical Sciences program and one of the valedictorians of VNUK’s 2023 Graduation Ceremony – has just been awarded a full scholarship under the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters program (European Union).
She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Biosciences and Bioengineering Innovations for Precision Medicine at the University of Barcelona, Spain.
About the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) is part of the larger ERASMUS+ program of the European Union, coordinated by the European Commission, the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), and national agencies of the member states.
It is one of the most prestigious fully funded scholarships in Europe, awarded to outstanding students whose profiles best match the program. The scholarship accepts applicants from any field of study, from any country, with no restrictions on workplace or requirement to return to their home country after graduation. Alongside its exceptional benefits, EMJM is known for its extremely high level of competition and low acceptance rate.
In EMJM, three to five universities collaborate to design a specialized academic program in a specific field. Depending on the chosen program, the study duration and universities you attend will vary. Bích Trâm applied and was selected for the Precision Medicine track – a one-year program starting with a week in France, followed by six months in Spain, and then a six-month internship at one of the partner universities in Europe.
Image 1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship
What are the key requirements for applying to the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship?
Bích Trâm modestly shared: “The requirements for Erasmus are quite similar to those of other scholarships: you need English proficiency, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. The study programs are designed based on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The selection committee mainly focuses on two factors: first, whether you are willing to serve the community, and second, whether you are truly committed to pursuing this field of study.”
Upon arriving in France, she felt overwhelmed when looking at the backgrounds of her fellow students. Most of them already held a Master’s degree or had substantial work experience before embarking on their second Master’s degree with Erasmus. She added: “Among so many talented individuals, I believe the statement of purpose must be truly profound and unique to make your application stand out. Some scholarships focus heavily on achievements, but the Erasmus Mundus program I applied for values the applicant’s personal story even more.”
Image 2. Hà Phạm Bích Trâm speaking at VNUK’s 2023 Graduation Ceremony
Perseverance and Resilience – The Key to Winning a Prestigious European Scholarship
After more than two months experiencing life as an international student, Trâm realized that a common trait among scholarship recipients is perseverance and resilience.
Before moving to Spain, she spent a week attending the Computational Medicine Summer School in France, which included three and a half days of theory and three and a half days working on a project aimed at helping patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The challenging and unfamiliar curriculum led Trâm and her teammates to ask themselves: “What qualities made the program choose us?” As their project neared completion, they received feedback from the professors stating that there was insufficient scientific evidence. This forced the team to redo the entire project — from brainstorming to execution — in just one and a half days, yet they managed to overcome it with ease.
While the scholarship fully covers 100% of tuition and living expenses, it also challenges students by requiring them to handle everything independently, from finding accommodation to completing paperwork and managing daily life. “The tricky part is that in Spain, very few people speak English, so that’s a challenge we have to navigate on our own.”
“After going through experiences like these, my peers and I began to wonder — perhaps we were chosen because of our high level of adaptability and resilience. Once I’ve committed to something, I will give it 100% of my perseverance and determination to make it happen, at any cost and by any means necessary.”
Image 3. Hà Phạm Bích Trâm receiving her VNUK graduation diploma
Daring to Face Challenges – The First Step to “Dreaming Big”
To achieve accomplishments worthy of the phrase “every parent’s dream,” Trâm had to overcome many challenges. “Life is never easy for anyone; the key is how you face and overcome those obstacles.”
“Just four days before leaving for Spain, I still hadn’t found a place to live. Three weeks before my flight, I still didn’t know if I could get my visa in time. When the interview started, technical issues caused the professors and me to begin late and have less time. I realized that no matter how thoroughly you prepare, unexpected difficulties can still arise. I also had fears before applying for the scholarship — afraid I wasn’t good enough. But the truth is, very few people succeed on their first try. The question is whether you have enough persistence and determination to keep going until you achieve your goal. Some will give up and take another path; others will stubbornly find a way to climb the mountain. As long as you keep a sincere aspiration, dare to face challenges, and hold on to your belief, there will always be a way forward.”
Image 4. Hà Phạm Bích Trâm with her family at VNUK’s 2023 Graduation Ceremony
“Through this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Long, Ms. Thu, my internship supervisors (Ms. Lan and Ms. Phương), and all the lecturers at the Institute for their tremendous support throughout my journey. Without VNUK, I would never have been able to seize the opportunities I have today.”
Thank you, Bích Trâm, for your sincere sharing, and congratulations on winning such a prestigious scholarship. We wish you a smooth and brilliant journey ahead!
Learn more about Hà Phạm Bích Trâm through the following articles:
– Following Bích Trâm and her dances alongside Biomedical cells
