• 19 May 2023
• 2023

Cultural exchange program between College of Business UEH and Western Washington University

In the past week, on May 8, 2023, College of Business UEH and Western Washington University had an extremely useful exchange program that aims to create an exciting playground full of new experiences for students from both countries, while also demonstrating the warm and enthusiastic welcome of UEH's colors to students with international friends. 

In the beginning, the WWU student delegation visited Campus Hall B, UEH English Zone, and the smart library. With the support of students and teachers in charge of the library.

Following the program was the Workshop "Sustainable Tourism Development - Ecosystem in Chiang Mai Biosphere Reserve, Chaing Dao" - a playground prepared by the entire School of Tourism COB for students to freely perform, listen, and learn a lot from international friends. Attending the workshop, on behalf of School of Tourism COB: Mr. Duong Ngoc Thang, MSc, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, MSc and Mr. Le Hong Tranm MSc. On the side Western Washington University, Ms. Julia - Lecturer from Western Washington University - Program Director, the main person in charge of the long-term trip of the Western Washington student delegation, and 7 students. 

Opening the workshop, Mr. Duong Ngoc Thang, MSc delivered the welcome speech and hopes that the sharing session can bring a lot of useful knowledge and that WWU students will have the best experience when coming to UEH University.

Then, students from class LH002 – K47 about the culture, heritage, history, natural resources, art forms, architectural works, and the political economy of Vietnam. Thereby, it creates a clearer and deeper multi-dimensional view of the outstanding quintessence of the beloved land of S - Vietnam. Throughout the sharing, UEH students' pride cannot be hidden, and in return, the excitement of international friends when listening to the customs, habits, and traditions formed from generations of this small but resilient country.

The program was followed by the sharing of Ms. Julia and WWU representative students on sustainable tourism development and ecosystems in the Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao biosphere reserves. With skillful guidance and dedicated sharing, Ms. Julia and all her students brought to the hall extremely useful knowledge, and new experiences about culture, ecology, and people only in the land of the Golden Temple. 

To help UEH students as well as WWU students have a more multi-dimensional and comprehensive perspective on sustainable tourism, ecotourism development in prominent areas in general, and biosphere reserves, Ms. Thu Thuy (representative of UEH) and Ms. Julia (representative of WWU) participated in the discussion and directly answered questions from the participating students. As expected, the program received a very enthusiastic response from the students with a series of questions about sustainable tourism development, green ecosystems, and sustainable communities.

At the end of the workshop, there was a teamwork game for UEH and WWU students for both to have more opportunities to make friends, exchange ideas, and gain knowledge about the cultures of the countries.

The workshop took place successfully, making an important contribution to promoting international cooperation, connecting and expanding bilateral relations, and creating great opportunities for students to learn, improve knowledge, exchange, and build relationships. 

Not only that, but the team also had an intimate evening together to experience the quintessence of Saigon street food culture - the unique culture that cannot be mixed and placed when ordering. The students explore and experience some traditional dishes such as Com Tam, banh beo,... the traditional dishes of Vietnam in turn introduced to international friends.

Kaylie - a student in the WWU delegation, shared that: "For a newcomer to a new city, experiencing local food with a group of friends is a wonderful thing. Altogether, make dish suggestions and make the same choices. I have enjoyed broken rice, and I like it." Or Bryn: "Walking around with the students in HCMC is the first time I feel more comfortable in the city. I know we are in the hands of competent and confident local guides. In the classroom environment, it can be difficult to get to know each other, but when we can put away our phones and explore the city together, I feel very happy and excited to visit Vietnam. Thank you for being so generous and curious, you are all excellent hosts."

With enthusiasm and thoughtfulness, COB students gave international friends a wonderful day of local experience. This will be motivation and strength for COB students to continue spreading its values, mission, and strength to the community, and contribute to creating a comprehensive and sustainable development environment.

New, photos: COB UEH