Bao Hoang Le

Name: Bao Hoang Le
Country: Vietnam
Course: Bachelor of Software Engineering

“As I expected, I am really enjoying my studies at Monash,” Hoang said.

“The University has offered plenty of support to help me settle in so I can focus on my studies.

“I’m not only gaining knowledge, but new ways of thinking and how to put what I have learnt into practice.”

Hoang lived in Binh Dinh, Vietnam before moving to Ho Chi Minh City four years ago with his family to pursue a better-quality education.

He studied at Pho Thong Nang Khieu National University -- a high school for gifted students. In Year 12 he won a bronze medal at the International Olympiad of Informatics in Croatia and as a result received a Ministry of Education and Training scholarship (MOET) from the Vietnamese Government to study in Australia.

The 19-year-old student moved to Melbourne in June 2008. He said he was keen to study at Monash because of its strong international reputation and diverse, friendly and modern environment.

Monash is Australia’s largest and most internationalised university with six campuses in Australia, plus campuses in Malaysia (Sunway) and South Africa and a centre in Italy. The University is one of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight universities, renowned for excellence in research, scholarship and teaching.

Hoang is undertaking a four-year Bachelor of Software Engineering in the University’s Faculty of Information Technology.

Monash University is the only Group of Eight university with an IT faculty, recognising the importance of information and communications technology as a distinct discipline, requiring specialist teaching and research.
“I was drawn to studying IT at Monash because of the choice of courses, focus on research and the potential to undertake work placements with the faculty’s many industry partners,” Hoang said.

“I originally wanted to study Computer Science but chose Software Engineering as it combines my love for the science with something that’s more practical.

“I want to be able to be able to develop software that impacts on people’s lives.”

After finishing his first semester at Monash, Hoang has achieved a grade point average of 3.75/4, with many near-perfect results.

After completing his degree he wants to go on to study an Honours degree before undertaking further postgraduate study and obtaining a doctorate.

Hoang said the thing he liked most about Australia was how friendly people were.

“When I first came to Melbourne I had to find a place to live and I needed to do it as soon as possible,”
Hoang said.

“I thought it would be difficult because I didn’t have any relatives or friends in Australia.

“However I found people were willing to support me and I found a place to stay within a few days… and it’s only a ten minute walk from the campus.”

Hoang also takes time to participate in the many activities that happen around the University.

“There are so many interesting clubs at Monash that you can join to meet and connect with other students and have fun,” Hoang said.

“I have joined the fencing club. I go each Tuesday and Thursday and find the competition allows me to relax while boosting me physically and mentally.

“I also play soccer with people at a local park on weekends.”

Hoang said Monash was a good choice for Vietnamese students who wanted to study in Australia.

“I would highly recommend Monash University to students in Vietnam,” Hoang said.