Vietnam Beyond War Images

June 27 - July 12, 2005

What is Vietnam like beyond the war images shown on television and newspapers? This 14-day study tour will introduce you to several dimensions of Vietnamese society and culture: the school system, ecology, economy and political organization. As you travel from north to south, you will learn how Vietnamese people see the world and themselves, and how the West has overtaken the country's traditional values.

The primary objective is to update your knowledge of the contemporary social-economic and cultural surroundings of the Vietnamese people. This will help explain the advantages and disadvantages of Vietnamese refugees in the assimilation process in the United States, and reveal how transformation from one cultural identity to another impacts learning in our diverse classrooms. Participants will also explore the issue of globalization by analyzing and comparing values and culture in comparison to others. We will see how the world becomes closer and the need for understanding other cultures  becomes more essential.

We will visit Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City and meet with local leaders and townspeople. Site visits include museums, temples, mausoleums, theatres, a university, a primary/secondary school and a health center.

As a requirement of the course, materials collected from this tour will be used to produce teaching materials such as a teaching unit, a workshop, a photo exhibit, a video clip or a chapter for a book.

This course is taught in English. Some teaching experience, work with Asian people, a behavioral or social course, or a  course in Asian Studies is recommended, but not required.
 

Highlights of the study tour will include:

  • Boat ride on the Mekong River

  • Hanoi 36-streets in Old Quarter

  • Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, residence, and museum

  • One Pillar Pagoda, Army Museum, and Quan Thanh Temple

  • Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century as Vietnam's first university

  • Ngoc Son Temple and Returning of the Sword Lake

  • Water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art

  • Ha Long Bay, Lao Cai and Sapa - to see one of the world wonders and the life of Vietnamese fishermen

  • Imperial Citadel in Hue, Kings Tu Duc and Minh Mang mausoleums, and Thien-Mu Pagoda

  • Hoi An, an historic seaport city with Chinese and Japanese-influenced architecture

  •  Saigons' Ben Thanh Market and Former South Vietnam President Palace 

  • Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the American War.

  • My Tho, a famous place for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields in the Mekong Delta

  • Tay Ninh Church, center of the Cao Dai religion which combines Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism

Visit http://www.vietnam-tourism.com/vietnam_gov/e_pages/e_index.htm

Instructor:
Dr. Thanh Nguyen
Department of Secondary Education and Professional Programs: Instructional Technology
Hart Hall 225
508.531.2938
tnguyen@bridgew.edu

Growing up during the Vietnam war, Dr .Thanh T. Nguyen witnessed human sufferings caused by misunderstanding and miscommunication. As a peace educator, Dr. Ngyyen committed to bettering this world early in her youth and demonstrated her commitment throughout her life. As the 2000 Commencement Speaker at Harvard Graduate School of Education, she delivered her dream calling as "Together, let us make a difference for this world!"  In searching for a place that would promote mutual understanding, she found Bridgewater State College to be a place that embraces international education.

Credits and tuition/fees information:

3 credits: undergraduate EDHM 355 or graduate EDHM 560
Students in all majors and classes are encouraged to participate.
Noncredit participants are welcome..

Travel Package Cost $3268. *
Tuition/fees for those seeking college credit:
$656.25 undergraduate
$752.25 graduate

The tuition/fees includes the following*:

  • BSC faculty leader

  • Round-trip flights from Logan International Airport in Boston

  • Shared accommodations and some meals

  • Taxes, tips and entrance fees to museums and cultural sites

  • Ground transportation associated with the course

  • International ID Card for students and faculty

* Please note the college reserves the right to change the price, itinerary and other details as necessary.

Apply early to reserve your place in this exciting study tour. To apply, submit an application and nonrefundable $50 application fee to the International and Exchange Programs Office, Maxwell Library, Room 19. Please be prepared to pay by personal check, money order, certified bank check, Visa, Master Card or Discover. All money orders or checks should be made payable to Bridgewater State College. Be sure your name and destination are on your payment.

Thanks to the generous support of the BSC Alumni Association, full-time BSC undergraduate students earning college credit for this study tour may be eligible for a partial travel scholarship. 
Contact Dr. Thanh Nguyen for more information.

For more information and to request an application please visit the International and Exchange Programs Office in the Maxwell Library, Room 19, email international@bridgew.edu or phone 508.531.1300.

Take the next steps:

  1. Turn in your completed application and $50 nonrefundable fee as soon as possible.

  2. Meet with the instructor who is leading your study tour.

  3. Apply for a passport in the International and Exchange Programs Office, Maxwell Library, Room 19. If you already have a passport, be sure it is valid for at least six months after your expected return date.

  4. For student financial aid information, meet with the travel representation in the Financial Aid Office, Tillinghast Hall, Room 100. Phone 508.531.2685 for an appointment.

APPLY
International Program Home Page

 

Last Modified: November 10, 2004