THE APU TIMES

The APU Times: Congratulation on Miss Beppu Crown! Was Miss Beppu Contest the first Beauty Contest that you have participated in?

Nhat Trang: No. My first contest was at Quy Nhon, my own home-town in Vietnam. I was crowned as Miss Quy Nhon for the best answers to judges’ questions when I was at 3^rd year in high school.

The APU Times: Wow, Miss Quy Nhon Crown must have influenced to your high school student life?

Nhat Trang: Well, I can say my high school life became more interesting thanks to the opportunity of inter-high school exchanges as well as local public welfare services. My friends always encouraged me in promoting activities and I could make much more good friends. However studying was still my priority.

The APU Times: What motivated you to participate in Miss Beppu contest?

Nhat Trang: One of my Japanese acquaintances told me about the contest. Then I thought it would be a nice opportunity to introduce about the Vietnamese female image to the Japanese and foreigners in Beppu. We, the Vietnamese female students, not only do well with school work but we are also active in local activities. Moreover, I decided to participate in the contest because I wanted to challenge myself. I thought I would get to know something new in the contest.

The APU Times: It was not your first time so did you feel confident in Miss Beppu Contest?

Nhat Trang: Yes, I was confident. Moreover, as I have said winning was not all that I expected. I did not have any pressure as such. I also thought that I knew about the contest well so it would be fine.

The APU Times: what did you do in Miss Beppu Contest?

Nhat Trang: At the first round, I was asked to submit an application form, a favorite photo of myself as well as my body sizes. Only 10 contestants passed. I was the only foreigner among the other 9 Japanese, which made me feel so nervous. At the second round, at first, we one by one went out greeting and doing self-introduction. After that we had a fashion show. I picked a red dress with flower drawing which I thought would fit well with the theme of the contest-“flower blooming”. I t was surprising to me to see that a few contestants so formally dressed in suit. Lastly, the answer to judges’ question part was done in such a friendly environment. Maybe since I am a foreigner, they did not make it difficult for me. I was so happy to be crowned Miss Beppu. During my first 3 days as Miss Beppu, I had to put on suit to visit different places. I felt unnaturally mature like a working woman. It was such an unforgettable memory.

The APU Times: What are your future plans?

Nhat Trang: In the coming time, as Miss Beppu , I will have opportunity to visit all around Japan. During the trips, I want to get to know about Japan and Japanese as introduce about Vietnam. I hope that I will improve my social communication and become more confident in myself. After graduation, I want to look for a job related to development or the Japan-Vietnam relation to apply my own experience in Japan and the knowledge that I have learned at APU. In the end, regarding Miss Beppu Contest, I hope there will be more and more APU students to participate in the contest and get the honor for APU. For the Miss Beppu Contest information, you can visit the Miss Beppu Website later. Right now it is still built by Miss Beppu Manager. I believe that APU students will be good at promoting APU and Beppu in Japan and abroad.

The APU Times: Thanks a lot for your sharing and good luck for your future plans!

ISS’11