Vietnam is a fascinating country with a unique and vibrant society, shaped by the encounters of many peoples and cultures. Through formal and informal instruction, as well as numerous field trips, students will gain a lively appreciation of the culture, language and politics of Vietnam. Current trends and recent developments will be examined in their historical context. The goal of the program is to immerse participants in the totality of Vietnamese culture: sights and sounds, politics and economics, language and music, food and conversation. Material from the classroom will resonate as students observe firsthand its presence in the life of Vietnamese people.

Morning lectures in Viet culture will be given by top specialists in their fields. These lectures will be followed by guided visits to historical and cultural sites, attendance at artistic and musical events, and roundtable discussions with Vietnamese people. Students will enjoy music on the Perfume River, explore the Imperial Citadel, ride bicycles through the countryside, and spend time in contemplation at the Phan Boi Chau Memorial.

Throughout their stay in Vietnam, participants will be guided by Professor Nguyen Ba Chung, Research Associate at the William Joiner Center. Educated both in Vietnam and the United States and extensively published in both countries, Professor Chung will be the academic supervisor, serving as interpreter and facilitator for the group to ensure that students obtain direct access to the local culture and people. Knowledge of the Vietnamese language is not required for participation in this program.

The program will be based in Hue, the historic imperial capital of Vietnam. Well-known for its preeminence as a cultural, religious and educational center, Hue is one of the most treasured cities in Vietnam and has been selected by UNESCO as part of the world's cultural heritage. Situated by the bank of the Perfume River, about ten miles from the South China Sea, Hue houses the old imperial city and is steeped in the ancient traditions of Vietnam which still flourish in the old temples, the nineteenth-century citadel, and the traditional way of life.

In addition to Hue, the participants will visit other cities, including Da Nang (with its museum housing ancient Khmer and Cham stone carvings) and Hoi An, a port city that traditionally served as a stopping place for traders during the monsoon season.

Participants will travel from Boston to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and then to Hue. At the end of the program, students will have the option of extending their stay in Vietnam on their own to visit other parts of the country.

Participants will reside in campus accommodations at Hue University, where they will also have an opportunity to mingle with local students.

Upon successful completion of the program, students receive three credits in East Asian Studies (EAsian 480: Culture, History and Politics of Modern Vietnam).

Credit can also be granted in Political Science or International Relations with permission from the department. A non-credit option is also available with special premission.

In order to travel to Vietnam, all students need a valid passport and a Vietnamese visa obtained through the Vietnam Embassy in Washington, D.C. The program coordinator will assist accepted applicants in obtaining these visas which may take four to six weeks to process.

In addition, there will be an intensive one-day orientation meeting at the UMass Boston campus prior to departure. Information about travel arrangements will be made available at the time of application.

A faculty will travel with the group member of the UMass Boston Hispanic Studies Department and will closely supervise the progress of the students at Universal in Cuernavaca.

Language instruction will be imparted by experienced Mexican teachers who have developed innovative ways to teach Spanish in a cultural context, using methods that can be adapted to meet students' individual needs.

The program fee is $N/A. This fee covers all instruction, field trips, housing, and local transportation in Vietnam, including special trips to other cities.

The fee does not include insurance or transportation between the United States and Hue, Vietnam.

Students wishing to participate in this program must complete an application form, available from the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education.

The application deadline is N/A. Applications received after this date will be considered if space is available.

To request application materials, please contact:

Susan Griffin
Tel. 617 287-7278

Professor Nguyen Chung
Joiner Center
Tel. 617.287.5854
chung.nguyen@umb.edu