Thi Tung Lam Dinh reflects on her journey from Vietnam to Geneva to pursue an LL.M. in International Law, specialising in International Environmental Law and Governance.
During the final year of my bachelor’s degree in Vietnam, I planned to pursue a master’s degree immediately after graduation. I was instantly drawn to the LL.M. programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute: renowned professors, a diverse cohort, and a comprehensive curriculum that offered both breadth and depth. However, I struggled with self-doubt, worries about the programme’s competitiveness and financial constraints, and the fact that I could not find any Vietnamese alumni of this programme. It remained just a dream rather than an application I actually dared to submit. Although I received offers from other programmes then, none quite matched my expectations for an LL.M. I, therefore, decided to put my study plans on hold and work for an international law firm instead.
A year later, I finally gathered the courage to apply, with the goal of “just making it to the interview shortlist”. To my surprise, I received an offer. My worries didn’t magically disappear, and I reached out to some alumni on LinkedIn to ask about my concerns and received a lot of support and useful, practical insights. This process pushed me to choose differently: I took the risk and seized the opportunity. Looking back, it was the boldest decision of my 23-year-old life.
As expected, my first days in Geneva hit me with an overwhelming volume of knowledge, a fast pace, and an interactive teaching style completely different from the traditional approach I was used to. Yet, the professors, staff, teaching assistants, and classmates supported me so naturally that I felt completely comfortable reaching out. They took the time to offer advice, share notes, suggest learning methods, and cheer me on. It was precisely this sense of safety and encouragement that empowered me to step out of my comfort zone, even when I was clumsy and made mistakes.
For the first time, I raised my hand in class to ask questions, defend my perspective, and present Vietnam’s stance on international issues.
For the first time, I took a course far outside my initial plan simply because it fascinated me and offered a rare experience I couldn’t get elsewhere.
For the first time, I went hiking and swam in cold water. I fell and was utterly exhausted, then refreshed. I was thrilled to become a little more physically active.
For the first time, my friends and I went to a thrift store and a stuff distribution centre (thank you, La Farce, so much!) to pick up everything we needed to survive, or, to be honest, to live quite well in expensive Geneva.
For the first time, I took on the role of “general director” to host a cosy dinner and bring our whole class together to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year).
All these “first-time” experiences made me realise that while the journey could be demanding, I was never alone. Surrounded by continuous support, those challenges became exciting and deeply worth conquering.
Geneva and the Graduate Institute have a truly unique atmosphere: compact yet specialised, with a vibrant global rhythm. Hot-button international events were always addressed in real time, whether through a lunch briefing, a keynote talk by an international expert, or simply a hallway conversation after class. There was always a space where people deeply cared about international relations, diplomacy, and international law. Living in the global capital of diplomacy sparked a strong desire in me to fully immerse myself in the field. I dared to reach higher, applying for opportunities such as working as a Legal Assistant at the UN International Law Commission or as a research intern at a research institute and an international organisation. When the offers came through, it felt incredible. But more importantly, the Geneva Graduate Institute gave me the confidence to say: “I can do it.”
Arriving in Geneva a year ago as a Vietnamese representative, I strove to share my country’s story: one of resilience, tolerance, bound by deep affection and gratitude, and an enduring commitment to peace. Now, as I leave, I would like to tell the story of my LL.M. journey with profound appreciation for my sweet Swiss year, where I grew far beyond my limits. None of this would have been possible without the endless support, understanding, and kindness of my family, the wonderful Vietnamese community in Geneva, and the professors, staff, and friends I was fortunate enough to meet.
