“Proactive Choice” is an annual extracurricular program organized by the International School of Management and Economics (ISME) – National Economics University (NEU). It is tailored specifically for candidates who have been admitted to or are applying for the programs managed by ISME. In 2026, the summer camp returned with its mission to equip young minds with a solid foundation before they step into university life.
Through the program, campers experienced ISME’s signature “learn-by-doing” approach via a real-world business project. Building on this major assignment, combined with intensive workshops on business and soft skills, students had the opportunity to uncover their hidden potential, express their personalities, and shape their future career paths. Accompanying the program was the ISME Outdoor Club (IOC). With a decade of experience in organizing events of all sizes, IOC contributed significantly to bringing about a brilliant and meaningful summer.
The Excitement and Energy of a New “Proactive Choice” Season
Continuing the success of the past 9 seasons, Proactive Choice 2026 returned with a fresh look, featuring a wide variety of activities and exciting hands-on experiences. Notably, this year’s program was expanded to 3 separate cohorts, providing more options for high school students to participate and explore.
During the 11 days of activities, guided by experienced Coaches, the campers were equipped with foundational business knowledge—from marketing and finance to project planning and execution. In addition, workshops such as “Self-Positioning” and “Career Building” helped students better understand their strengths and potential to map out their futures step-by-step. In particular, real-world sales activities were enhanced, allowing students to directly engage with customers, test their strategies, and adapt their business approaches on the fly.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Trung Thanh – Director of ISME, sharing insights with campers during their first meeting.
In the very first days of Proactive Choice 2026, the atmosphere was lively and vibrant. Campers quickly bonded with new friends, forming a united group. This was also the phase where they received essential preparation to get ready for the upcoming business challenges.
Through a series of in-depth workshops, experienced speakers shared core business insights. From discovering personality types and team roles to specialized sessions on marketing, finance, and human resources, every module was designed to provide a comprehensive overview, helping campers gain a clearer direction for their future majors at ISME.
From personality assessment workshops…
…to insightful shares from speakers on specialized business topics.
Moving beyond theory, campers immediately put their knowledge into practice. What they learned from the workshops was applied creatively through small group activities. This process not only consolidated their knowledge but also provided a valuable opportunity to connect, understand one another better, and build strong team synergy.
Connecting and bonding through workshop lessons.
Beyond the specialized workshops, the nearly two-week journey at Proactive Choice 2026 was a series of memorable moments where knowledge was reinforced through practical games. The organizing team designed engaging activities that not only brought campers closer together but also authentically simulated how a business operates.
Coachees enthusiastically participating in exclusive games at Proactive Choice Summer Camp.
Through these games, the spirit of “work hard, play hard” was clearly demonstrated. The students constantly innovated and proactively proposed solutions, embodying the true essence of the program. This served as a powerful catalyst, turning tense learning sessions into exciting moments of discovery.
Moments of working hard…
…and playing hard with the Proactive Choice 2026 team.
After experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions through various challenging games—from suspense and tension to excitement and even regret—the coachees gained valuable reflections. Drawing from these moments, Dr. Le Thi Huong Lan – Head of Cooperation & Development Department at ISME, delivered an inspiring message on the theme “Gracious in Victory, Graceful in Defeat”: Winning is valuable, but what matters even more is how each person chooses their attitude—calm, appreciative, and positive—to grow after every experience.
Dr. Le Thi Huong Lan sharing a meaningful message with the Coachees.
With dedicated mentorship and coaching, the campers had the chance to experience real-world sales right at Hall G, Building A2, NEU. From preparation and booth setup to strategy implementation, students directly applied their business and marketing knowledge to practice.
Instead of relying solely on booth sales, teams combined offline and digital marketing tactics to proactively reach customers both online and offline. Coachees introduced products, provided consultations, persuaded clients, and handled customer feedback on their own—honing their communication, market sensing, and closing skills. They also flexibly adjusted their promotional and sales tactics based on real market feedback.
The products offered were diverse, ranging from food, candles, keychains, and hippers to mini plants. Each group leveraged their unique skills and interests to create standout selling points. After just 2 days of sales, all groups recorded a profit, with one team reaching an impressive profit of 9,000,000 VND—a remarkable result for their first business experience.
Lively activities at the booths.
After 11 day-long engaging journeys, all participants successfully completed their business projects, presented through impressive final reports. For the campers, “Proactive Choice 2026” was more than just an extracurricular program—it was a platform to immerse themselves in real business projects and gain invaluable experience.
Concluding the major assignment with impressive presentations from the campers.
The final and most meaningful activity of the summer camp was a charity trip to the Tam Dao Bear Rescue Centre (Vinh Phuc). The joy from running a business was translated into the joy of sharing. This activity was not only a journey to spread good values to the community but also a deep lesson in compassion and social responsibility.
Memorable moments at the Tam Dao Bear Rescue Centre.
Proactive Choice 2026 has officially come to an end, but the proactive spirit, passion, and thirst for learning will live on in every camper. Wishing you all continued growth and success in becoming responsible citizens who find balance in life through “small actions, big impacts.”
Stay tuned for more moments from Proactive Choice 2026:
