Study Abroad in Vietnam, Summer 2013
July 8th - 30th
Chúc mừng:
Vietnam is a nation of tradition adhering closely to its cultural values that dates back thousands of years. Despite centuries of foreign occupation that imposed tremendous hardships on them, people are remarkably friendly and welcoming to foreigners, especially Americans. Yes, there are places of exquisite beauty of nature that would mesmerize you. But you don’t go there just for that. You go to Vietnam to be immersed in this unique society to experience their culture, traditions and their dedication to family and society. If students from the University of South Florida System (Tampa and St. Petersburg) have an opportunity to infuse themselves into this society for a short time, it may have a profound impact on their view of the world. This was our impression when we (Professors Frank Biafora of USF St. Pete and Sarath Witanachchi of USF Tampa) visited Vinh University in Vietnam in October 2011. We were determined to launch the first study abroad program in Vietnam as we were certain it would be a once in a lifetime experience for students throughout the USF System. Hard work of Amanda Maurer, Carleen Ben and Frances Bryant at USF World made this program a reality.
The first group of eight students departed to Vietnam in July 2012 seeking a unique adventure in the land of unknown. We were certain that they were not expecting the physical and emotional life-changing experience that was waiting for them in Vietnam. At one point this was a group of 8 USF students, who were strangers, coming together with two USF Professors who they hardly knew, to go on a journey for 3 weeks to the other side of the world. As the program unfolded the USF and Vietnamese students developed a great camaraderie by living, traveling, and learning together. We were hearing that they were having the best days of their lives.
It is time for a new group of students with the same two professors to seek a similar experience/adventure in Vietnam. The 2013 group of eight, Olivia Allan, Emma Forrest, Blake Hadley, Patrick Mannion, Karlana Morgan, Ashley Smith, Joseph Teston, and Fred McCoy, will be arriving in Hanoi, Vietnam between 6th and 8th of July. We are very pleased to have Mr. Fred McCoy accompanying us, who is a senior business executive and Veteran of the Vietnam War, to share his experience with respect to the US involvement in Vietnam.
We will spend our first few nights at the Silver Moon Lakeview Hotel, a boutique hotel located in the heart of the Hanoi tourist district. Our first experience of the Vietnamese culture will be an unforgettable walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake at 6 o’clock in the morning. A stop for a bowl of “Pho” at the soup place by the street that Anthony Bourdain visited is a must. Traveling from Hanoi to Halong Bay and floating around in a boat for two days in Halong Bay, one of the natural wonders of the world, will be an unforgettable experience. On 14th of July we will take a night train to Vinh City where we will meet up with the Vietnamese students and faculty of the Vinh University. For the next two weeks the USF and Vietnamese students will engage in course work and projects conducted by the professors.
This Blog site will chronicle all our activities in Vietnam till the group returns to the US on 29th of July. We encourage you to follow our chronicles and check back often. Our bags are packed and will be leaving on a jet plane soon on this exciting journey. We hope to come back with enhanced knowledge and great memories.
Chân Thành (Sincerely)
Professor Sarath Witanachchi - USF Tampa
Professor Frank Biafora - USF St. Petersburg
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