This winter break, I was given the opportunity to go and serve in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. When I first started telling people that I was voluntarily going to Vietnam to study abroad, they were shocked. Many people in the United States have devastating memories or loved ones who served in the war, causing a lot of fear and anxiety to be established with Vietnam. However, being here has been a dream. Vietnam is a beautiful country with the kindest people.

On the program, we have interpreters who travel with us. (Vietnamese is a very hard language to learn… we tried, but it takes YEARS!) They show us their favorite foods, give us suggestions on places to go and treat us as one of their own! The interpreter also traveled with us to serve during the days at Mai Tam.

Mai Tam is a magical place. As an early childhood major, I was placed in the kindergarten classroom (infant to 3 year-olds room). While in the classroom, I was able to implement a few lessons, assist the head teacher in any way and LOVE/ be LOVED by the babies in that room. The love these students have to give is unlike any other I have ever received. They greet you each morning with the biggest smile, show you their favorite things and play each day.

When I wasn’t in the baby room, I would often wander to the kitchen or the laundry room. While at first thought that might sound boring, even doing common chores is magical at Mai Tam. The ladies who work in the kitchen have the most caring and patient hearts. Without being able to speak any English, they were able to teach any of us how to make whatever was for lunch that day.

While doing the laundry, you have the most beautiful view and are able to just take in everything you experience and gain such a beautiful perspective on how magical Mai Tam is as you hang up each student’s laundry.

Lastly, the community. Walking the streets of Vietnam, you feel so loved. Everyone walking by greets you with joy and excitement. As you walk the streets, people stop and ask for pictures with you and compliment you on anything and everything.

I stayed at the Oyo hotel right next to the café we met at for class. The owners of the Oyo live on the top floor and are the funniest and kindest people. They greet us each time we enter the hotel, do our laundry and show us different spots we can go within the community near the hotel.

While doing the laundry, you have the most beautiful view and are able to take in everything you experience, gaining a beautiful perspective on how magical Mai Tam is as you hang up each student’s laundry.

The café was somewhere we ate at least once a day!!! They would share with us if they had something new for us to try and even accommodated to having 10 people all paying separately for their meals. We were also able to use the café to host community nights. These nights were so special, we welcomed families within the community to come and play games with us twice a week. This made walking around the community so much fun, as we were able to now see people we knew!

If I had any advice for those interested in this program, it’s to immerse yourself in the community. Forget about anything you know or what could be different in the U.S., and take it all in. There are things that are different, but understand that everything is done for a reason and well thought out, but don’t be afraid to ask questions (respectfully, of course!).

If you love children or are interested in teaching abroad, this program is a perfect introduction to that career. It has changed more than I ever expected, and I will forever be grateful for these kids and this place. P.S. Ask for a copy of the pictures you take with people!!!

---

Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Community Driven Teaching and Learning in Vietnam