Especially, he had a valuable internship at the People’s Army Newspaper.
He was born and raised in Chomphet village, Sisattanak district, Vientiane capital, Laos. In 2020, he was sent to Vietnam for further studies. In the middle of 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out; therefore, studying and traveling became extremely difficult for him. Learning under social distancing conditions was a big challenge, but was also a memorable experience. He got used to learning online and exchanging information via the internet. With the enthusiastic support of teachers and friends, he gradually adapted to the new environment. In September 2021, after completing his Vietnamese language course at Unit 871 of the General Department of Political Affairs, he was transferred to the Vietnam Military University of Culture and Arts to pursue a course on military journalism. In his first academic year, he studied hard to learn Vietnamese to understand his lessons.
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Captain Soulichanh Ounthaphanha (left) discusses with a reporter of the People’s Army Newspaper. |
One of the things that touched him the most was the dedication of teachers and the friendliness of Vietnamese students. The teachers guided him carefully, from how to find research materials to the method of writing an article. These valuable lessons have deepened his love for journalism and heightened his determination to keep learning to become a good journalist in the future.
Apart from the teachers, Vietnamese friends helped him overcome difficulties during the time studying and living in Vietnam. They not only instructed him on how to adapt to a new life but were also always willing to listen and offer encouragement when he faced difficulties. Although there were language barriers, thanks to their patience and sincerity, he made many Vietnamese friends.
More than a month of internship at the People's Army Newspaper was an unforgettable experience for him. He applied obtained knowledge to practice, approached the work of a reporter, from writing articles and taking photos to editing content. Working in a professional journalism environment gave him a better understanding of the responsibilities of a journalist towards society.
During the time in Vietnam, he visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and discovered many unique cultural features of Vietnam. The trips helped him understand more about the history, culture and people of Vietnam and realized that Vietnam has a quality education system and boasts a rich cultural tradition.
By Captain SOULICHANH OUNTHAPANNHA
Translated by Quynh Oanh