Participating in the Sakura Science Program (SSP) in 2024 was undeniably a defining milestone in my life! Konnichiwa, I am Minh Triet Ngo, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at Monash University in Australia, and today I am truly honored to share my trajectory since that unforgettable journey.

I was granted this incredible opportunity during my high school years at Nguyen Thien Thanh Gifted High School in Vietnam. Looking back, that experience provided the very first catalysts for my academic growth. Visiting Japan and immersing myself in its advanced scientific ecosystem, particularly through enriching visits to prestigious institutions like the Nagoya Institute of Technology, fundamentally transformed my perspective. Beyond witnessing firsthand how cutting-edge research operates, the program allowed me to forge deep bonds with amazing lifelong friends from diverse backgrounds—connections that we still actively cherish and maintain to this day. I believe that while a single week might seem brief to completely redefine a person, it was more than enough to ignite a profound courage within me. It gave me the audacity to dream bigger, push my boundaries, and continuously reinvent myself.

Building on the profound inspiration gained from Japan, I embarked on a new academic chapter at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Transitioning to a world-class institution brought both immense opportunities and rigorous challenges. Recognizing my academic foundations and potential, I was honored to receive a Monash International Merit Scholarship valued at $15,000 AUD per year. This prestigious financial support has been a vital catalyst, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my studies. Retrospectively, this momentum also empowered me to achieve further academic successes and milestones in my university coursework. Every milestone I achieve today, whether directly or indirectly, traces its roots back to the drive and inspiration I gathered during my time in Japan.

Seeing so many distinguished alumni succeeding in their respective fields while keeping their meaningful connection to Japan alive is profoundly inspiring. It serves as a powerful reminder that the Sakura Science Program is never just a one-off trip; it is a lifelong, global community. I am immensely proud to be a member of this global family, and I look forward to fostering deeper collaborations and future engagements with Japan’s scientific network.

Ultimately, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the dedicated SSP team and the Secretariat, both for the past and their ongoing efforts today. Thank you for planting the seeds of curiosity and investing in the potential of young scientists like myself!