I Found Bliss in Vietnam

I think the most remarkable aspect of my experience abroad in Vietnam was the community between the American students and the Vietnamese partners. We lived in the same dorm, which strengthened our connections as we could quickly make plans and meet. The fact that we were assigned a group of Vietnamese students to be our partners made feeling like a local that much easier. They were so enthusiastic to show us their city and their favorite spots, immediately integrating us into the culture and the country. Without their enthusiasm and insight, I would never have felt like I truly lived my experience, or lived in Vietnam. Something that stuck with me from the very beginning of the program was the fact that we were living abroad, while other programs only let you study abroad.

One of the tips I would give other students doing the same program is to really get to know and befriend the Vietnamese students. They are a boundless resource and each have unique backgrounds and experiences that they are dying to share with you. I really got to know many of them, even writing one of my final papers on one of my partner's family, and the socio-political impacts of their situation and actions. Learning about their lives and their families is extremely eye opening and essential, and some of my favorite experiences were the long conversations I was able to have with my Vietnamese friends.