An experiment

In this study tour, we are trying a few different things from what has been done in the past. We have worked hard to build in more interaction and informal time with our hosts.

One of these ideas was implemented on Wednesday at the Vietnamese National University of Foreign Languages and International Studies. We  used the "study buddy" idea, adapted from the China Study Tour. More on this in a moment.

So, we traveled to the university.  Members of our group take turns briefing the group on each of our visit, typically on our way to the site, as Jay is doing here. This can be a little tricky to navigate in heavy Hanoi traffic without powerpoint but our students rose to the challenge.









We then met with Dr. Canh, a senior lecturer and Director of International Cooperation, a delightful man who loves to discuss educational ideas. Educated in the U.S. and with a very fluent command of the English language, he helped us understand some of the challenges Vietnamese educators face when trying to improve or reform their educational practices and institutions.

Following this meeting, members of our delegation were teamed up with undergraduate students from the University of Foreign Languages and International Studies. They spent afternoon together and then we took them out to dinner, where they taught our group the real way to toast.