Location:

Da Nang, Viet Nam; Hanoi, Viet Nam

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer, Winter Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Brockport Vietnam Program in Danang provides participants an international adventure in an exciting, safe, friendly, and historically rich community with fascinating political and social traditions. Students will learn about a unique and rich 4,000 year old culture while providing service-learning for the poor, disabled, children, and elderly in the exotic city of Danang. Students will take classes in language, culture, politics, and history from professors that also teach at Danang University (the state university), Duy Tan University (a private university), and The School of Politics (a state political education institute). Each institution will expose students to different philosophies and teaching approaches in Vietnam. Students also perform community service at a variety of locations, including working at a group home for disabled children and at a nursing home, teaching English to local students, etc.

The College at Brockport offers this program during both academic semesters, as well as, winter and summer terms. During winter, students will earn 6 undergraduate credits during the 4-week program. During summer, students can choose either a 13-week, 15-credit program or a 4-week, 6-credit program.

The Brockport Vietnam Program is housed in a building which includes housing for the student participants. The building is air-conditioned. The students share double bedrooms. Television, radio, telephone, recreation, and computer services are available. Meals (included in the cost) are prepared by the staff, and laundry will also be done by the staff.

Orientation materials will be provided to each participant after acceptance and enrollment in the program. These consist of basic English-Vietnamese language materials, cultural and historical information, and detailed materials to assist in preparation for the experience in Vietnam. A one-week orientation program will be completed during the first week in Danang to familiarize students with the community, resources, and other relevant information.

Each participant will take courses in language, culture, history, and politics from professors from Danang University (the state university), Duy Tan University (a private university), the School of Politics (a state political education institute), and other Vietnamese scholars. Each of these professors will expose students to different philosophies and teaching approaches in Vietnam. These seminars will take place for three hours a day, Monday through Thursday. Participants will also engage in educational activities by providing service in the community for two hours or more four afternoons per week, M - Th. There are occasional weekend service activities. These activities may range from work in a group home for disabled children; in a local nursing home; food and clothing distribution in poor, mountainous villages; service in urban or rural health clinics; etc. Also, each student will spend one hour each week teaching English to local university students in a community continuing education program in Danang. There will be a road trip of Vietnam from Danang to Hanoi and another to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Setting Description:

Danang is the capital of Central Vietnam, about 400 miles midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The small city is on the shore of the beautiful South China Sea and the Han River. It is a safe, tropical, quiet city that reflects a rich culture and tradition. Once the scene of a massive US military build-up, it now welcomes the Brockport Vietnam Program and its students as friends. The city is proximate to the mountains, seashore, museums, historical sites, tropical forests, recreational facilities, and a variety of fascinating activities. English is a fast-developing second language in the city. Americans are welcomed, not with a recollection of the past, but with a focus on the present and the future. Exciting shopping, recreation, eating, and social resources are everywhere.