From the Classroom to the Global Workplace: HSU Business Administration Student Join a Strategic Swiss Project

Success does not always wait until graduation. For Tran Ngoc Bao Duy, a Business Administration student from Hoa Sen University’s 2022 cohort, international career opportunities came while he was still completing his studies. Even before officially graduating, Bao Duy had already taken his first step into the international business environment by joining Frella International, a Sri Lanka-based company, as a Client Relationship Executive. In addition, he was the only Vietnamese member selected to participate in a strategic project between Frella International and Baurs, a Swiss corporation with more than 130 years of history. His achievements also earned him a feature in Hi!! Magazine, one of Sri Lanka’s leading lifestyle publications.
Behind every milestone was a journey defined not by shortcuts, but by persistence, continuous self-improvement, and the courage to embrace new opportunities. At Hoa Sen University, he gained not only professional expertise but also the mindset and confidence to enter the global workforce as a young Vietnamese professional.

Stepping into the Global Workplace Before Graduation

On July 2, 2026, a Business Administration student from Hoa Sen University’s (HSU) 2022 cohort, Mr. Tran Ngoc Bao Duy, completed his graduation thesis. By that time, however, he had already started his international career in Sri Lanka as a Client Relationship Executive at Frella International.

Behind that milestone lay years of persistence, preparation, and a determination to turn opportunities into achievements.

Reflecting on his journey at university, Bao Duy shared that what he valued most was not his academic achievements or the certificates he had earned, but the environment that shaped his mindset and broadened his perspective.

“Every course, every project, and every competition helped me realize that university isn’t simply about acquiring knowledge. It’s about learning how to apply that knowledge in real-life situations”, he emphasized.

Through experiential learning at HSU, he changed his perspective, coming to realize that the international environment was not beyond reach. With the right preparation, he was ready to turn opportunities into new milestones.

Empowering Students with a Global Citizen Mindset

Looking back on his journey, Bao Duy believed that his early achievements were not what made the biggest difference. What truly shaped his path was the way HSU helped him develop a new mindset and a broader perspective.

For Duy, the greatest value HSU offered was the opportunity to develop a broader worldview. From the beginning of his university journey, he was immersed in international learning experiences and English-taught courses, allowing them to enhance his foreign language proficiency while building the mindset and adaptability required for a global environment.

“English is not just a subject; it is a gateway that helps me access knowledge, communicate effectively, and explore the world”

When Duy began his job in Sri Lanka, he found that participating in English meetings and handling professional documents felt surprisingly familiar. What had once been part of his learning experience at HSU had now become an everyday reality in his international workplace.

For him, language served as a bridge to connect with the world, but a global mindset was what truly enabled professionals to thrive internationally.

Furthermore, he emphasized that clients expect more than task completion in a global working environment. They valued professionals who could analyze challenges, propose solutions, and create meaningful value for the business.

This reflects HSU’s educational philosophy of developing independent and adaptable learners. Beyond knowledge acquisition, students are encouraged to think critically, engage in meaningful discussions, and examine issues from diverse perspectives. This liberal arts approach equips Bao Duy with the critical thinking skills and adaptability needed to navigate the complexities of an international environment.

Where Classroom Projects Meet Real-World Business Challenges

For Bao Duy, the most memorable part of studying at HSU is not a particular course, but the way learning takes place. Guided by HSU’s philosophy of experiential learning, students engage directly with real business challenges instead of simply studying theories. From presentations and group projects to market research assignments, every activity is designed to mirror the dynamics of today’s workplace.

By connecting classroom learning with real-world challenges, students discover that knowledge is most valuable when it is translated into solutions that create lifelong value for businesses and the community.

The HSU Business Challenge 2025 is another milestone in shaping Duy’s mindset, allowing him to put his thinking into practice in a highly competitive environment.

“HSU didn’t just teach me what to know; it taught me how to apply what I know. By the time I started working, I was already prepared to analyze problems, propose solutions, and tackle real business challenges because those experiences had become part of my learning journey”, he commented.

HSU Business Challenge: Shaping the Mindset of Future Managers

Being named among the Top 3 teams at the HSU Business Challenge 2025 with “A Drop – Artichoke Coffee” was one of Bao Duy’s most memorable achievements. More than a competition result, the experience allowed him to step into the role of a young entrepreneur, where he learned to evaluate ideas, make strategic decisions, and approach challenges with a manager’s mindset.

The biggest transformation Duy experienced through the competition was not a new business idea, but a new way of thinking about business. Before the HSU Business Challenge 2025, he believed that a strong idea could be the foundation of success. However, as the project evolved, he learned that businesses were not built simply on ideas. They were built on understanding customers, recognizing market needs, and creating value that truly connected with consumers.

Furthermore, the project became an opportunity for the entire team to apply business knowledge in practice, from researching market needs and analyzing consumer behavior to identifying competitive advantages and shaping product development strategies. With support from business mentors and judges, Duy developed the ability to approach challenges with strategic thinking and a managerial mindset.

“The most valuable lesson I learned was not how to create an impressive presentation, but how to develop an idea into a solution that could address real-world challenges and create value”, he claimed.

Thank you, Bao Duy, for sharing your meaningful experiences and perspectives. May your passion continue to guide you toward new opportunities, greater milestones, and continued success on your international career journey.