My 2019 in a nutshell

It might be a little bit late for a year in review now, but I still want to spend some times to look back at this very special year :) Today marks a milestone, as I submitted my Master application and officially completed all the plans I have set for 2019.

1. My 2019 started with my 5-month internship at Fujitsu Belgium.

When I wrote this post, I could not believe that time flies so fast. Feel like just yesterday, our team sat together working to finalize the strategy for a new advertising campaign or preparing for the upcoming Hack Belgium. 7 months have passed, I have met wonderful teammates and friends for life, an awesome manager and learnt plenty of work-life lessons. I don't deny there were some moments I feel like giving up and want to go back to Finland - it is never easy to start a whole new life in a strange place without your beloved ones. But luckily I didn't, I chose to stay, face my problems and grow up, being a better version of myself.

2. GMAT, GMAT and GMAT

Woohoo, I still can't believe I have passed the GMAT test already. I did not aim for a high target and my score was not outstanding, but I'm proud of myself since it is the result from my own effort, concerning the fact that I have at the same time 1 marketing project, 1 volunteer job for the biggest startup event in Finland and 1 part-time job.

Also, it is not only about the result but also about the skills I've learnt through the test. GMAT is a test of time management. Everyone has the same 62 minutes for 31 quantitative questions, 65 minutes for 36 verbal questions. The questions are getting harder after the previous ones, so learning how to distribute the time for each type of questions is essential.

I like Critical Reasoning part the most, even though it is my weakest area :)) In Vietnam, we students get used to the education system in which the teachers give lectures and we listen in a passive way, usually no questions raised from students during the lessons. But with CR, I really learn how to question everything, pay attention to little details, how to strengthen my conclusions, identify the assumption behind the text and figure out different ways to present my ideas in a logical way. I hope to see the next generation in my country have the chance to get familiar with these methods.

3. 3 years in a row with Slush

I knew about Slush and joined as a volunteer in 2017. That experience was way beyond all the volunteer work I had participated before, that's why I keep coming back to Slush in 2018 and 2019.

The story of me becoming a Team Lead at Slush 2019 is not so smooth :)) I was rejected at first after the interview with the team. A bit upset though, but I decided to focus on my study and graduate at the end of the year. Then a magical happened that one position became vacant and I was chosen - Team Lead for Media Experience, which changed all of my future plans :)) And it was the greatest decision I've made for this year. I really get involved in preparing for the events, working with journalists, setting up interview schedules and providing customer service in Media Area. The best feeling was in the end when all the journalists I worked with through email came to my place to say thank for a wonderful event :D

4. 3 Digital Marketing and Design projects have been completed and 1 more is in process

When completing the application for the Master Program, I received one question: "Why do you think you and this program track is a good fit?". I wrote down the answer without hesitation, since I was struggling around 4 years to find out what would be the job that I want to grow with. Even though it might be not a safe choice for a foreigner in Finland without Finnish skills and take me longer time to get a job, I do believe in the quotes: "Choose the job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life".

But it doesn't mean I will sit at one place and wait for my perfect job to come. I found out about GenM/Acadium, a platform that connects small companies with students looking for experiences for a 3-month project. During the later half of the year, I have worked on online projects with a luxury vegan travel company from Australia, an online retail course provider from Canada and a photography company in UK (more details can be found in the portfolio I attach with my Linkedin Profile). At the moment, I am having one project with a business coach in the beauty industry in the USA and things are going on smoothly and seem promising :)

5. Travel to 3 countries and 12 cities

I keep the promise to myself: to travel to at least one country per year and for this year I surpass x3 the quota :)) One of the trips that really changes my ways of thinking, is the trip to visit my friend in Breda, Netherlands. I met this little girl 3 years ago and couldn't believe to meet her again in Brussels. Later on, she invited me to her place in Breda. She showed me her small garden with all the plants she rescued on the street and taught me how to talk to them :) I still remembered how upset she was when there were no vegan options for the dumpling we bought at the Asian market, or when she came back from far away to return a cinnamon pack she didn't use to the store for the next buyer. At the end of the day, she inspired me as a special girl who dares to live the life she believes :x

6. Complete my Master application

And yes, last but not least, the thing I have just finished a couple of hours ago :)) Now waiting for the result announcements in March.

So what do I plan for 2020? 2019 has been so busy with all of these plans, so I decide to live slower and only focus on 2 main plans in 2020: finish my thesis and graduate by April 2020 AND prepare myself with necessary skills to get a job.

And I wish all of you a wonderful year with full of joy, excitement and success

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!