From Hanoi to the Ivy League: Minh's Journey to Columbia University

Learn about Minh's experience at Columbia University. His top AP^® score—earned through one-on-one study with an expert Hudson teacher—strengthened his application and proved his readiness for the Ivy League.

Hudson Global Scholar: Minh Do Phu 

Hudson Global Scholars Program: Providence Country Day Global Campus Advanced Placement^® (AP^®) Program  

Home: Vietnam   

When Minh first began dreaming about studying in the United States, he knew the path wouldn’t be easy. A top student at a leading international school in Hanoi, Vietnam, Minh was already thriving in the British A-level system. Yet he had his sights set elsewhere: an American Ivy League education. 

Today, Minh is living that dream at Columbia University, one of the most prestigious and competitive institutions in the world. His story is not only one of academic achievement but also of strategic decision-making, adaptability, and the power of personalized learning. Minh credits part of his success to Hudson Global Scholars and his decision to take AP^® World History through their flexible, one-on-one online model.

A Strong Start in Hanoi 

Minh was born and raised in Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital city. From a young age, he attended a top-tier international school that followed the British A-level system. The school provided a rigorous academic foundation and helped him develop an exceptional command of English. 

Minh quickly distinguished himself for both his academic excellence and his language skills. But even with strong A-level credentials, he knew he needed to stand out in the highly competitive pool of international applicants to U.S. universities. That meant earning credentials that showed not only academic rigor but also his ability to succeed in an American learning environment. 

Finding Hudson Global Scholars 

That’s when Minh discovered Hudson Global Scholars. After researching various pathways, he learned that taking an Advanced Placement^® (AP^®) course would strengthen his application and help him demonstrate college-level proficiency in an American academic subject. Minh selected AP® World History—not just for its academic rigor but because history has always been his passion. 

“History is a great way to show how well you read, write, and think,” Minh says. “AP^® World History gives you a broad overview. It’s a great starting point for historians—a primer for anyone interested in understanding how events and ideas connect across time.” 

Minh was on a tight timeline, with only a few months left before the AP^® exam. Fortunately, Hudson Global Scholars offered a range of flexible learning models, including one-on-one instruction. He chose the one-on-one live instructional model and began meeting daily with a U.S.-based teacher. 

“My teacher was a former U.S. Navy Seabee,” Minh recalls. “He was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about history. Our sessions were more like university seminars—we discussed primary sources, debated historical perspectives, and connected past events to modern challenges.” 

Minh completed the year-long course in just two months and earned a top score of 5 on the AP exam. He believes this achievement made a significant difference in his college application. 

“An AP course, especially one that demands reading, writing, and analysis, proves that you can handle academic life at an English-speaking university. That matters a lot for international students.” 

Arriving at Columbia

Minh’s hard work paid off: he was accepted into Columbia University, an Ivy League institution located in the heart of New York City. Columbia is known for its rigorous academics, top-10 global ranking, and a history department that ranks among the best in the world. Minh is pursuing a unique major that combines history, statistics, and economics. This interdisciplinary path allows him to explore the past while building strong analytical and data-driven skills that are relevant for today’s global economy. 

“Columbia has an amazing academic environment. If you work hard, you will succeed,” he says. 

Despite the pace, Minh has settled comfortably into campus life. During his first year, he lived in Wallace Hall, a beautiful, multi-storied stone dormitory with sweeping staircases and large windows that overlook campus courtyards. He plays club rugby, which keeps him active and connected with teammates. He spends time hanging out in the Lerner Student Center, studying in quiet nooks of the historic Butler Library, and meeting friends from all over the world. 

“Columbia is very social. It’s easy to make friends—in class, in the dorms, at events. Just walking across campus, people will stop and say hello.” 

Life in New York City  

Minh has adjusted well to life in the U.S. He describes New York City as a vibrant, dynamic hub that reminds him of home—but on a global scale.  

“It feels like the center of the world—finance, tech, arts, government, including the United Nations. Everything is here,” he says. “I love the energy.”  

While he misses his family and Vietnamese food, Minh enjoys the diversity of New York’s culinary scene. He’s discovered several Vietnamese restaurants that remind him of home, and he plans to visit his family during school breaks.  

Looking ahead, Minh hopes to stay in New York after graduation, possibly working in consulting or pursuing a master's degree. His academic background gives him a competitive edge in fields ranging from policy analysis and business strategy to law and international development.  

Advice for Other International Students  

Minh is candid about the challenges of transitioning to life at a top global university.  “You learn a lot of hard lessons when you first arrive. No one tells you what to do anymore. You’re responsible for everything: scheduling, studying, and managing your time. If you’re not organized, you can fall behind quickly.”  

He adds that some students struggle with the freedom of college after years of structured learning in high school. 

“At first, it’s easy to say, ‘I’ll start that paper tomorrow’ or ‘The exam is three weeks away.’ But you can’t afford to do that here. You really have to grow up and take on adult responsibility.”  

Minh credits his Hudson Global Scholars experience with helping him prepare for this transition. The online course required him to be self-directed and manage his time effectively, developing habits that would serve him well in university.  He also recommends that international students consider taking AP^® courses in the social sciences, history, or literature.  

“These AP^® courses are rigorous and show that you’re ready for academic life in English. They also help you stand out as a thinker and communicator.”  

A Story of Determination and Opportunity  

From Hanoi to New York City, Minh’s journey is proof that with the right combination of ambition, academic preparation, and personalized support, even the loftiest goals are within reach. For students across the globe dreaming of the Ivy League, Minh’s story shows that a single decision—like enrolling in an AP course through Hudson—can be the first step in a life-changing journey.