From Underachieving Student to Harvard Doctorate: The Story of Chiêm Thanh Vân’s Remarkable Journey
The extraordinary story of Chiêm Thanh Vân’s transformation from a struggling student to a Harvard doctorate holder captivates audiences in China and beyond. While her present accomplishments are well-known, fewer people are aware of the challenges she faced during her early academic years.
Born to a family with a rich educational background—her mother was an English teacher and her father worked in a factory—Thanh Vân developed a passion for reading and foreign languages at a young age. By the time she was four, she could recite the “Four Great Classical Novels” of China to her peers.
However, when she started primary school, Thanh Vân’s academic performance did not meet expectations. Her teacher even went as far as to suggest that she be transferred to another school, believing that Thanh Vân’s educational needs were beyond their capacity.
“Your daughter’s academic abilities are too weak; she won’t be able to take the high school entrance exam. You should consider enrolling her in a vocational school instead”—the teacher told Thanh Vân’s mother.
Despite these setbacks, Thanh Vân persevered. She focused on her studies and made a remarkable turnaround, eventually becoming the valedictorian of a prestigious high school. Throughout her secondary education, she consistently excelled in her classes.
In 2012, Thanh Vân graduated with distinction from the University of Hong Kong. By 2016, she had obtained a master’s degree and was awarded a scholarship for her doctoral studies.
Instead of accepting the scholarship, Thanh Vân made a bold decision to pursue her doctoral dreams at Harvard University in the United States. She took out a loan of 1 million CNY (approximately 3.3 billion VND at the time) from a bank, using her mother’s identity as collateral.
Thanh Vân’s hard work paid off, and she graduated with a doctorate, becoming a licensed lawyer in 2019. Her achievements led to a prestigious position at a leading law firm in China with a branch in Japan, earning an impressive salary of 200,000 USD per year (approximately 4.6 billion VND).
In addition to her legal career, Thanh Vân excelled in public speaking and debating. In 2014 and 2018, she was crowned the “Best Debater” in an international debating competition held in China. She also won the championship in the “China’s Got Talent” speaking competition in 2015. In November 2019, she was a contender for the champion title in the “Special Person” program, which showcases China’s best orators.
“All they wanted was for me to be truly happy”
In recounting her journey, Thanh Vân attributes her success not only to her own determination but also to the supportive role her parents played in her education. Despite her initial struggles in primary school, her parents remained calm and encouraging, never scolding or pressuring her.
Thanh Vân’s mother shared that even if the whole world lost faith in her daughter, she would never give up on her. She believed that while her daughter might not have excelled at that time, it didn’t mean she wouldn’t amount to something great in the future.
Her parents provided the necessary resources and motivation for her studies. Her father, for instance, was always willing to buy her any book she wanted to read. Books were also his go-to gift for Thanh Vân after a long business trip.
“My parents never expected me to be exceptional or better than others. All they wanted was for me to be truly happy”, Thanh Vân shared about her supportive family.
When Thanh Vân decided to take out a substantial loan to pursue her dream of studying abroad, her mother stood by her decision. She even allowed Thanh Vân to use her identity to secure the loan.
Although they couldn’t physically be with her during her years abroad, Thanh Vân’s parents stayed connected through regular online conversations. They continuously encouraged her to be strong and focus on her studies while also reminding her of the importance of eventually returning home to be with her family.
Even as Thanh Vân reached adulthood without marrying, her parents respected her choices and supported her in navigating societal expectations. They were her true friends, sharing life’s joys and sorrows without imposing outdated ideologies.
“To me, my parents are like true friends, with whom I can share any joy or sorrow in life. They never imposed old-fashioned ideas on me, so I always feel their boundless love”—said the Harvard doctorate holder.
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