Interviewer: What are your thoughts on your winning gold medal?

Tri Duc (TD): I am not only very delighted and amazed but also extremely proud.

Thuy An (TA): When I knew I had won gold medal, I was very happy and proud. At first, I did not even believe that I have the fortune to get that precious medal, but it was an outcome worthy of my friends’ and my efforts in the past several months. 

Gia Bao (GB): After hearing that I’ve won gold medal, I felt very pleased and joyful because before I went to compete, my goal was only getting a medal.

Interviewer: How much time do you spend on science subjects each day?

TD: At the beginning, I spent 8 hours at school and 2 hours at home, but then I was overwhelmed, so I only studied at school and 2 hours at home.

TA: Apart from morning and afternoon classes, I spent from 2 to 3 hours every evening to review my lessons and do additional exercises.

GB: At home, beside spending time on doing homework and studying my specialized subject, I often use my time to read books and do researches on science subjects.

Interviewer: What are your thoughts on this year’s competition?

TD: This year's competition has the highest number of contestants, with 70 countries participating. The test was long, lasted 4 hours, but quite easy.

TA: This year's competition is the most large-scale with the participation of 70 countries - the highest number so far. Students from Hanoi Amsterdam High school for the Gifted has achieved outstanding success with 3 gold medals and 2 silver medals.

GB: This year's competition was carefully organised by the host country. I am especially impressed by the testbook: Instead of testing under the form of 3 subjects combined, the host built the test under the form of integration, which consists of problems that can be exploited from different perspectives, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. This requires students to think, reason and analyse integratively, which is very conformable to this year's topic: "Inspire the youth and prepare for the future".

Besides, to ease the participants' pressure during the examination, apart from alternate test days, contestants could visit famous destinations in the host country, Qatar. Beside cultural features integrated in the test, these trips partly helped me have deeper knowledge about the country's culture.

Students who have won gold medals in the IJSO this year

Interviewer: What experience have you gained after the contest?

TD: We were able to experience an independent Western lifestyle and teamwork, how to work together.

TA: After the olympiad, I have acquired a lot of knowledge, skills and made friends, communicated with people from different countries.

GB: During the process of gathering members for the team, I could approach and learn advanced science for the first time. Being an English-specialized student, I have never had access to such knowledge before. I, together with other teammates, not only theoretically improved but we was also taught how to apply those theories into practice and skills to do experiments.

Competing in Qatar has helped us gained much experience and lessons about how to be mentally prepared for exams. Especially this year, number of countries participating amounted to 70, so we had the chance to exchange culture and souvenirs with one another in the Cultural night. After this trip, we have made more friends from all over the world with the same passion of science.

Interviewer: Who would you want to express your gratitude towards for supporting you during the competition? 

TD: I would like to thank my family, School board, Department of Education and Training, teachers, and friends who always supported and helped me have great experience.

TA: First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude towards the School board and Department of Education and Training for always facilitating me taking part in the olympiad and having this result. I also want to thank the teachers who taught and helped us prepare for the contest: Ms. Hong, Mr. Quang… spent much time and efforts to help us gain today’s success. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude towards our parents for always having our backs, taking care of us so that we can be most prepared for the competition. Besides, I would also want to thank our friends, seniors for always supporting, cheering and giving us useful advice.

GB: I would like to thank Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong - our team’s Chemistry teacher for her endless patience, devotion, and for her care as our parent and our number one partner during the journey.

I would also like to thank Mr. Trieu Le Quang and Ms. Nguyen Thanh Huong for their interesting lessons and for having taken care of us during the days in Qatar.

I would like to show my gratitude towards all the teachers teaching the team for their contribution to our success today, and School board together with Department of Education and Training for having wholeheartedly facilitated us joining the olympiad.

Lastly, I would love to thank my family, parents and sister for their support and care during those days.

IJSO has marked the development of Amsers on their journey to achieve the summit of knowledge. I hope that you will be more successful on academic roads, become the pride of families, teachers and school!

Reporter: Doan Duc Anh - Maths 1 1922

Translator: Thai Minh Anh - Chinese English 1821