Nguyen Mai Chi

EXPLORE THE WORLD, FROM VIETNAM TO INDONESIA, AND NOW IS THE UK – NGUYEN MAI CHI

When Mai Chi first joined BUV, speaking English often made her feel shy and hesitant. More than a decade later, the BUV alumna has lived and worked in Indonesia and New Zealand, completed an MBA in the UK, and begun a new chapter of her career in London.

Each move brought unfamiliar experiences, personal challenges, and opportunities to grow. Looking back, Chi sees that her path began with one important decision: choosing BUV for her undergraduate degree.

From BUV to an international career with Heineken

During her 3 years at BUV, Chi gradually became more confident using English. Studying in an international environment allowed the language to become a natural part of her academic and everyday life.

“My English, which used to make me feel shy and hesitant, became a tool for fluent communication. Studying in an international environment where English was the norm gradually became second nature to me.”

After graduating, Chi chose to gain professional experience before pursuing a master’s degree. She joined Heineken’s Asian Pacific Graduate Program, a two-year programme that gave her the opportunity to work in two countries within the region for six months each.

The experience took her to Jakarta, Indonesia, and Auckland, New Zealand, turning a long-held dream of living abroad into reality.

“Living abroad had always been a dream, and this programme gave me the perfect opportunity to make it happen.”

Living thousands of miles from family and friends was rewarding, but it also came with periods of loneliness. Chi had to learn how to take care of herself when she was unwell, improve her cooking skills, and find ways to recreate Vietnamese dishes away from home.

Adapting to different languages, cultures, and a new level of independence was particularly challenging during her first experience living overseas. Cultural differences occasionally caused confusion, but Chi learned to approach each situation with patience and curiosity.

Over time, the challenges became an important part of the experience. Living in different countries allowed her to discover new cultures, meet people from diverse backgrounds, form lasting friendships, and develop a broader understanding of the world.

Returning to education and beginning again in the UK

After 5 fulfilling years at Heineken, Chi felt ready to expand her knowledge and gain a more comprehensive understanding of business. In 2022, she moved to the UK to pursue an MBA.

For Chi, returning to university was another major milestone. Her time at Heineken had already helped shape her interests in Marketing and people development, while the MBA offered an opportunity to explore broader aspects of business.

“After a fulfilling time at Heineken, I felt ready to expand my knowledge and gain exposure to different areas of business. That decision eventually brought me to the UK to pursue further education.”

After completing her MBA, Chi began a new role with a London-based company. Nearly two years after moving to the UK, she found herself entering another stage of both her life and career. “This is a new chapter that I’m genuinely excited about.”

Adapting to a new working culture in London

Chi’s experience at an international corporation in Vietnam prepared her well for London’s fast-paced and dynamic working environment. Her previous role at Heineken also helped her adapt to cultural differences and collaborate with colleagues from various nationalities.

However, her new position required a change in leadership style. In Vietnam, Chi had worked effectively with a more directive approach. In London, she found that collaboration and open discussion played a more central role.

Leading a Gen Z team based in the US presented another valuable learning opportunity. Chi wanted to bring her Vietnamese work ethic and cultural understanding to the team while remaining open to their ideas and perspectives.

“Adapting my leadership style to London’s collaborative way of working is an exciting challenge. I want to encourage open communication and give my team the confidence to bring their best ideas forward. It also allows me to learn and grow alongside them.”

Rather than seeing the differences as barriers, Chi approaches them as opportunities to become a more adaptable leader.

Mai Chi’s advice for students considering life abroad

For Vietnamese students hoping to study or work overseas, Chi emphasises the importance of keeping an open mind and remaining curious about other cultures. Learning about the customs, traditions, and history of a host country can make it easier to understand new perspectives and engage more meaningfully with local life.

She also encourages students to move beyond familiar routines.

Learning a third language can further enrich the experience and open doors to new opportunities. More importantly, Chi believes students should not allow fear to prevent them from taking the first step.

Your path after BUV could inspire others. Connect with us at alumnirelations@buv.edu.vn to tell your alumni story.