After several years of studying and conducting research at USTH, Cédric Micouin has come to recognise that language barriers can sometimes limit opportunities for Vietnamese and international students to connect. Inspired by his own experiences and friendships, he hopes to establish the Global Language Club as a welcoming space where students and researchers from different countries can meet, exchange languages, share their cultures, and build closer connections within the USTH community.
A Choice That Opened the Door to a Lasting Journey at USTH
In 2022, Cédric Micouin left France to pursue a Master’s degree in Plant Biotechnology, Biomedicine and Pharmacology at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH). Driven by a desire to venture beyond familiar surroundings, experience a new culture and test his ability to adapt, he chose Vietnam as the next destination on his academic journey. For Cédric, this was also an opportunity to gain international experience and prepare for his ambition to work abroad in the future.
For Cédric, one of USTH’s distinctive features is the opportunity to study in a programme built upon close cooperation between Vietnam and France. Upon completing his Master’s programme, he received two degrees awarded by USTH and the University of Montpellier. However, the academic programme was not the only reason he decided to continue his journey at USTH. From his earliest days at the university, he was impressed by its open and welcoming atmosphere, as well as the friendliness of Vietnamese students. The first friends he met in his English class took the initiative to speak with him, showed genuine interest in getting to know him and readily helped him adjust to his new life.
His experiences during the Master’s programme deepened Cédric’s appreciation for Vietnam and its people, while inspiring him to continue his journey with USTH. That aspiration gradually developed into a clear academic path when a French professor from École Polytechnique (L’X)—one of France’s most prestigious engineering institutions—visited USTH and introduced a research project entitled The Effect of Cold Plasma on Rice Crops in Vietnam. This project opened the door for Cédric to pursue doctoral studies. Combining his academic background in Plant Biotechnology with an emerging technology that holds considerable potential for agricultural applications, the research topic immediately captured his interest.
Having experienced first-hand USTH’s international learning environment and the strong academic partnership between Vietnam and France during his Master’s studies, Cédric confidently chose USTH as the place to continue his research journey. He enrolled in a three-year jointly supervised doctoral programme centred on the same research project, spending two years conducting research at USTH and one year at École Polytechnique (L’X). This model enables Cédric to conduct research within the practical context of Vietnam while also benefiting from France’s academic environment and research resources.
Meaningful friendships that spark the idea behind the Global Language Club
During his three years of study and research at USTH, Cédric has had the opportunity to meet and befriend many Vietnamese students. These relationships gradually grew closer through simple, everyday experiences—from spending time with classmates and playing board games to exploring local cuisine and travelling to different parts of Vietnam together.
For Cédric, these friendships have become a memorable part of his three-year journey at USTH. Through shared experiences, meaningful encounters and mutual support, his life in Vietnam has extended far beyond lecture halls and laboratories. It has also been shaped by the people and memories that have strengthened his connection with USTH and the country he now considers a second home.
These experiences have also given Cédric a deeper appreciation of the value of human connection. However, he has realised that not every international student has the same opportunities to meet and engage with the wider USTH student community. Some international interns work primarily within their respective research groups and therefore have limited opportunities to participate in university-wide activities or get to know other students. Language barriers can also make both Vietnamese and international students hesitant to initiate conversations. Recognising these challenges, along with the growing interest among international students in Vietnamese language and culture, Cédric began developing the idea of establishing the Global Language Club.
Cédric envisions the Global Language Club as a space where Vietnamese and international students at USTH can meet and interact regularly. Through language exchange, cultural sharing and mutual support in everyday life, the club will not only encourage members to overcome their initial hesitation, take the initiative in getting to know one another and build closer relationships, but also support their academic and research journeys. Here, students will be able to practise foreign languages together, exchange knowledge, share learning experiences and help one another adapt to an international academic environment.
Cédric also hopes that the connections formed through the club will create opportunities for collaboration on academic projects, research initiatives and student activities. These experiences will help members develop intercultural communication skills, broaden their perspectives and become more confident in a multinational environment. For him, meaningful connections can begin with something as simple as a greeting, a thoughtful question or a recommendation for a delicious local dish. Above all, Cédric hopes that the Global Language Club will become a meeting place for different languages and cultures—a space where young people from diverse backgrounds can discover common ground, open up to one another and create meaningful stories together under the shared roof of USTH.
Creating More Opportunities for Students to Connect
Drawing on his own experience, Cédric believes that the most important qualities for international students arriving in Vietnam are an open mind and a willingness to step beyond their comfort zones. In his view, USTH offers an international learning environment where students have access to modern laboratory facilities, opportunities to join research groups, and the chance to work alongside lecturers and scientists from Vietnam and France. To make the most of these opportunities, students should actively engage with their lecturers, feel confident asking questions and seek support whenever they encounter difficulties. By taking part in academic projects, research activities and international cooperation programmes, they can broaden their knowledge, develop professional working methods, gain experience in a multicultural environment and build valuable professional relationships for the future.
Beyond lecture halls and laboratories, Cédric encourages international students to take the time to discover the people, language and culture of Vietnam. He believes that differences need not become barriers; instead, they can open the door to new experiences when people are willing to listen, respect one another and take the initiative in building connections. For those unsure of how to begin a conversation, Cédric light-heartedly suggests exploring local cuisine with Vietnamese friends. Sometimes, the journey towards integration—and a meaningful friendship—can begin with a simple conversation shared over a meal.
The Global Language Club has now completed its final preparations and is ready to make its debut within the student community. The enthusiastic support of USTH and Vietnamese students throughout the development of the club’s proposal has further strengthened Cédric’s confidence in its future. He hopes that the Global Language Club will soon become a welcoming meeting place where linguistic and cultural diversity serves as a bridge, bringing its members closer together.
