GELOSEA International Round: When effort turns into glory

Overcoming the pressure of an international arena, two outstanding PennSchool students successfully achieved the prestigious Gold Award and Diamond Award at the Southeast Asian English Olympiad (GELOSEA). Discover their heartfelt stories – tracing a proud journey from long nights of dedicated preparation to the moment their names were announced on the international stage – shared by Nguyen Bao Han and Nguyen Minh Phuong.

From overwhelming joy on the podium…

As the award ceremony music began to play, emotions overflowed for the two girls. Bao Han recalled: “I was already preparing myself for a Bronze medal, mentally settled and everything. But then they announced the Gold Award. I was shocked and emotional that I had to double-check if that was my name.” Sharing the same excitement, Minh Phuong – the Diamond Award winner – said: “My heart was pounding with excitement from the moment they started announcing the awards until I heard my name called for the Diamond Award. I could easily cry into happy tears, because to me, this is the most significant achievement award I have ever accomplished. Even if I won a very high award, it was fun and amazing to see students from different cultures winning different awards too.”

…to strategies for conquering a challenging exam

To achieve this result, both students had their own strategies. For Minh Phuong, it was discipline: “Even when facing difficulties, I tried to stay calm until the end of the test. There were many strategies I applied during the exam, such as reasoning, analyzing, checking each answer, and writing the essay. I prepared for this test carefully by finding and practicing many mock tests in the weeks before. I knew there were many talented students – some at the same level, some from different grades – so I knew that I must catch up and overtake my own goals.” In contrast, Bao Han chose calmness: “Honestly, I just treated it as any other regular test that I had at school. No overthinking, no panic – just me and the test. If I had let my anxiety catch up during the test, I probably would have screwed the paper over, which I gladly did not.”

A journey beyond the comfort zone

Taking part in an international academic competition for the first time, the greatest takeaway for them was not just the medals, but also valuable lessons in self-belief, perseverance, and thorough preparation. Bao Han shared: “Overall, this competition not only gave me unforgettable experiences but also taught me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. Through this competition, I realized that I am capable of more than I expected. If I have the chance, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

The achievements of Minh Phuong and Bao Han at a prestigious international competition like GELOSEA are the result of continuous effort in a creative learning environment at PennSchool. The School is proud to accompany and empower every #HomeOfTheEagles to showcase their abilities and reach the international stage. We wish them continued success on their journey ahead!