My experience abroad opened my eyes in many ways that helped me grow and develop throughout my time in Vietnam. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that students do not want to miss. When I first arrived in Vietnam, I was quite nervous because Vietnam was far from home, and I have never been in another country for so long. In contrast, I felt so excited to meet new people around the world because our group was so diverse.
I chose to study through the study abroad program because I knew that they would support me throughout my time in Vietnam. They connected us with a Vietnamese organization called Abroader, which allowed me to meet other people from around the world, which included India, Canada, Thailand, and Vermont. Connecting with this group of students was one of the highlights of my trip. We were able to bond and create lasting friendships as we traveled around different parts of Vietnam together.
One of the most memorable moments was spending time with people from UTC. With four total students from UTC, we were able to make the most of our time together by traveling to different places in Vietnam. For instance, we went to Phú Quốc, Hạ Long Bay, and Đà Lạt together, which were all an amazing experience. We were able to see white, sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs. We also got to ride multiple cable cars that stretched along the island. I remember us enjoying the ocean view as we sat on the deck of a boat. At times, traveling to different locations in Vietnam did not feel real. It has been a wonderful experience engulfing myself in a completely different culture with students from my school. We invested a lot of time into each other, and we look forward to continuing our friendship as the school year picks up again.
In addition to these memorable moments, the Dean of the Business College was another highlight of our trip. It was truly a joy for the Dean to join us because of the useful information he and his wife shared with us. I enjoyed every minute that I had with the Dean and his family. I have made many connections that I hope to continue as I move into the future.
The connections I have made were not only with the students I met at orientation or the staff members of Abroader. I made connections with my coworkers and my supervisor from my internship at a company called Ahamove. This Vietnamese company encouraged growth and development in its office environment. It was a place where I was able to enhance the soft and hard skills that pertained to my major. As I worked with my supervisor, I learned valuable information that I will be able to use in my future college courses.
I will forever cherish the advice my supervisor gave me, and I will use it to help guide my future decisions. The connections I made at Ahamove are unforgettable. With the skills I improved and the information I gained, I will continue to stay open-minded as I move forward into the future.
My study abroad experience helped me improve my personal and professional skills while working with others from across the globe. I look forward to sharing what I have learned with others around me and promoting this impactful adventure.
Corinne Finger (BS Accounting) spent the Summer 2023 semester studying abroad in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam through ISA. Corinne had the following to say about studying abroad, “My experience abroad opened my eyes in many ways that helped me grow and develop throughout my time in Vietnam. Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that students do not want to miss. Students will be challenged to step out of their comfort zone many times throughout their study abroad experience, but it is all worth it. As long as you keep an open mind, you will thrive as you connect with new individuals and embrace the culture around you.”
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