The Thunder Bolt

Concordia International School Hanoi proudly celebrates two Class of 2026 graduates entering Seoul National University (SNU), Korea’s most prestigious institution, this September. These dual acceptances showcase our graduates' exceptional hard work, while reflecting Concordia's dedicated efforts to support students targeting top universities in Asia. 

Navigating South Korea’s standard university admissions process from an international school environment requires a highly specialized approach. To support this process, Concordia actively bridges the gap by cultivating direct relationships with Korean university admissions offices. We do this by sending our counseling team to Korea for on-site visits and hosting Korean university admissions officers on our campus. This past year alone we were proud to host both Korea University and Sogang University. By demystifying complex local application nuances and providing deeply personalized, one-on-one mentorship, our counseling team ensures our students are uniquely positioned to turn their dream school ambitions into reality.

Meet the two recent graduates who achieved their ultimate goal this past year by securing admission to Seoul National University.

Chanyoo Kim: Building the Future of Digital Healthcare

Born in South Korea, Chanyoo spent his early childhood moving through Asia, living in Hong Kong before arriving in Hanoi for his Junior and Senior years at Concordia International School Hanoi. When deciding on his higher education path, Chanyoo chose to evaluate both the Western and South Korean higher education systems. While many of his Concordia classmates focused on applications to the United States or the United Kingdom, SNU remained Chanyoo’s first choice.

Navigating the different requirements was tough, but the hardest part was the wait. While his peers received U.S. and U.K. decisions in early Spring, Chanyoo had to wait out Korea's later admissions cycle, submitting his extensive application packet in March. The patience paid off in late May with acceptances not only to SNU, but also to Yonsei and Korea University.

During his two years at Concordia, Chanyoo went beyond standard coursework to conduct independent research in data analytics, programming, and machine learning. He credits his university success to this rigorous academic environment and the support of the faculty:

"What really makes Concordia special is that you're able to make such strong connections with your teachers because you're essentially all in one building, and this makes it so much easier to just walk up to them and ask for help or advice without having to write long, formal emails. If you use this to your advantage, I think there really is no limit to what you can earn from the adults around you."

While he emphasizes that all of his teachers were genuinely supportive and great, one standout figure was Dr. Santos, who taught his big data and machine learning classes and directed the CIRCH academic research conference. Chanyoo describes Dr. Santos as a true mentor, someone he could reach out to anytime for guidance. Through CIRCH, Chanyoo gained practical experience presenting complex technical concepts and pushing his technical boundaries under Dr. Santos's encouragement.

At SNU, Chanyoo is entering the four-year Liberal Studies program, allowing him to combine Biology, Math, and Computer Science instead of choosing a single major right away. He plans to focus on digital healthcare by applying data science and AI to modern medicine. Long term, he aims to gain tech internships in Seoul, build industry experience, and eventually launch his own healthcare technology startup.

Looking back on his High School career, Chanyoo emphasizes the importance of appreciating the unique environment an international school provides:

"I think it's easy to dismiss how fortunate and unique it is to be in an international school with people from all over the world with different backgrounds, and that your time at High School not only impacts the College you ultimately head to, but also really shapes your character as a person. Thus, my advice to current High School students would be to try out as many things as possible, as well as to enjoy the time they have with their friends and take many photos to take with them."

Olivia Sohn: Reimagining Digital Media and Information Access

Securing admission to Seoul National University was the ultimate reward for Olivia's years of hard work. Opening her acceptance letter brought a mix of pure relief and excitement after months of waiting. This September, the Concordia graduate will begin her studies as a Communication & New Media major.

Olivia joined Concordia in fifth grade after moving from Ho Chi Minh City. Though she briefly considered the National University of Singapore in 11th grade, her heart was set on returning home to Korea. Navigating the domestic Korean admissions landscape from an international curriculum was far from easy. Without standard familiarity with local application expectations, she devoted countless hours to writing and refining her personal essays to meet the rigorous expectations of top Korean admissions boards.

Her academic foundation at Concordia proved vital in defining her future trajectory. By strategically selecting AP coursework, Olivia discovered a passion that pointed her directly toward a Communications degree. Outside the classroom, active involvement in TEDx and Model United Nations (MUN) helped refine her voice, sharpen her public speaking, and shape her leadership style. She gained essential guidance along the way from dedicated faculty like Mr. Sanders, Ms. Hien, and Mr. Creek, highlighting Mr. Sanders in particular for believing in her potential as early as ninth grade. Beyond her teachers, alumna JaeEun Koh served as a vital role model, inspiring her growth throughout Middle and High School.

At SNU, Olivia intends to channel her interest into the structure of modern media platforms and digital information flow. Her ambition is to examine how news is distributed and consumed, with a focus on reconstructing media platforms to create fairer, more accessible information channels for the public.

For younger students aiming for competitive Korean institutions, Olivia offers strategic advice: maintain an exemplary GPA, identify your target field early, and build a portfolio of extracurriculars that showcase continuous personal growth and leadership. Currently spending her summer catching up with family and preparing for her driver's license test, Olivia is ready to begin her next chapter. The entire Concordia community celebrates her success and looks forward to her bright future at SNU!

As Chanyoo and Olivia step onto the SNU campus this Fall, the entire Concordia Hanoi community celebrates their remarkable achievements and wishes them the absolute best in their next chapter!

 

Learn more about Concordia's Alumni.