On the first day, I cried because I wanted to go home; on the last day, I cried because I didn't want to leave.

Decoding the unique military training program at Dai Nam University: some programs conclude with an exam. But others end with hugs, hastily taken photos, promises to meet again, and a lingering feeling difficult to put into words.

A month ago, many students at Dai Nam University began their National Defense and Security Education course with feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Some were away from home for the first time, while others were unaccustomed to waking up early, participating in group activities, or studying under the scorching summer sun of Hanoi.

Many tears were shed in the first few days. However, after just a month, many students became the most nostalgic when the course came to an end.

What happened during a training course that seemed to consist only of drills, regulations, and the sound of alarm clocks every morning?

The early days were full of challenges.

Student Trinh Thi Thuy began her National Defense and Security Education course with many memorable experiences.

For Trinh Thi Thuy, a student in the Department of Korean Language and Culture, the first few days were not easy at all.  

"I cried a lot because I was tired and not yet used to the new environment," Thuy shared.

Living with many people in one room, adhering to strict schedules, and participating in high-intensity training activities put considerable pressure on many students. Under the summer sun, outdoor training sessions truly become a test of endurance and adaptability.

As a health science student, Le Tran Kieu Oanh constantly replenishes fluids and electrolytes to have enough energy to get through this "special" one-month semester.

As a K19 medical student, Le Tran Kieu Oanh said her biggest challenges were the weather and the constant intensity of physical activity. To ensure her health, Oanh proactively replenished fluids and electrolytes and monitored her physical condition throughout her studies.

"We have to learn to listen to our bodies, take care of ourselves, and maintain our physical fitness to complete our studies," Oanh shared.

According to the instructors, the most familiar sight during the first week was the bewildered faces of the students and the nightly phone calls to their families. Many students took several days to adapt to military life.

“In the early days, many students were shy and unfamiliar with group discipline; some were homesick, others tired from the weather. But what always moved us was how hard they all tried every day. Once they got through the first week, the changes were already very noticeable,” shared lecturer Hoang Van Vuong.

The training ground teaches things that the classroom can hardly teach.

After the initial period of adjustment, many students gradually adapt to the new pace of life. Seemingly small things like waking up on time, neatly folding blankets and sheets, organizing their living space, or completing tasks on time become the first lessons in discipline and responsibility.

Triệu Trung Dũng, a K19 medical student, said that the most valuable thing he received was not the theoretical lessons but the change in himself.

"I've learned to be more independent, more responsible for my assigned tasks, and manage my time more effectively. These are things I hadn't really noticed before," Dung shared.

Beyond changes in daily habits, many students also clearly feel a maturation in their thinking, work methods, and ability to adapt to pressure. These are things that are not easily learned from books alone.

The instructors said the most noticeable change was in their demeanor and team spirit.

"About two weeks later, the students started to be more proactive, knew how to support each other, and knew how to carry out tasks on their own without needing much prompting. They matured very quickly. That's what we see after each military training season," commented instructor Ngo Minh Hieu.

From strangers to teammates

If asked what was most memorable after a month of military training, many students wouldn't mention the drills but rather their friends and instructors.

Those were evenings spent chatting together after a day of training, helping each other with chores, practicing for cultural performances, or encouraging each other through hot days.

In the military environment, people who were only familiar faces in class gradually become comrades. They eat, live, study, and overcome the first challenges of their student life together.

Distances were bridged, camaraderie was forged, and beautiful friendships began during those seemingly harsh days. Perhaps that's why, even after the course ended, many students still addressed each other as "comrade."

For Thùy, the most memorable experience was a drill practice session in heavy rain.

"When it rained, the teachers stayed on the field with us, guiding and encouraging us. These are small things, but they made me feel the dedication and responsibility of the teachers," the female student shared.

A month to cultivate discipline, a foundation for the future.

At Dai Nam University, the lecturers of the National Defense and Security Education department are always close to the students; during each class, the lecturers even act as "caretakers."

Interestingly, when it comes to farewells, the people who feel the most nostalgic are sometimes not just the students.

“On the first day they arrived, many were still high school students. By the end of the course, we saw young people who were more confident, disciplined, and responsible. That is the greatest gift for those of us in education,” lecturer Hoang Van Vuong shared.

Many teachers say that what makes them happiest is witnessing the growth of their students day by day, from the bewildered faces and tears of homesickness in the first week to the hugs, thank yous, and even the tearful farewells.

At Dai Nam University, the National Defense and Security Education course is not only a compulsory subject but also an experiential learning environment where students are trained in courage, discipline, responsibility, and the ability to adapt to life's challenges.

Each evening, groups of students have more opportunities to talk to each other and share their study experiences.

According to Ms. Cao Thi Hoa, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Dai Nam University, in the journey of educating people, there are values that cannot be replaced by technology or specialized knowledge.

"It's about discipline, responsibility, and civic awareness. National Defense and Security Education is not just a compulsory course, but also a special educational environment that helps students cultivate character, demeanor, and responsibility towards the community and the country," Ms. Hoa emphasized.

Folding blankets neatly, waking up early to exercise, and maintaining a regular schedule are daily activities that help students quickly adapt to a routine.

A month of military training has come to an end. The uniforms are folded up, the wake-up calls are no longer heard every morning, but the lessons about discipline, independence, teamwork, and responsibility will stay with them on their journeys ahead.

Perhaps that's why many students entered the course with tears in their eyes and left with a sense of longing. Because after a month, the biggest change wasn't the surrounding environment, but themselves.