Vietnam

By Ansa S.

Published Feb. 12, 2026

After more than 25 hours on our flights to Ho Chi Minh City, I was surprised to find that it was very similar to the country where I grew up, India. In many ways, it felt like being right back home. https://flic.kr/p/2rWiBxA Indochina Boat Cruise, Saigon River When I arrived at the OYO and opened…

By Devin S.

Published Jan. 26, 2026

As a first-time traveler to Vietnam, let alone any country in Asia, I had a bit of a naïve view of how I would feel when first arriving. I thought that when I would walk on the streets of the neighborhood we were staying in or driving through the hectic traffic of the city, I…

By Emily S.

Published Feb. 1, 2025

https://flic.kr/p/2qKhLnW Building friendships! 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…

By Mae S.

Published Jan. 24, 2025

Every time I travel abroad, I'm surprised by the prolificacy of American culture, including our movies, music media and even our clothes and restaurants. I was asked what state I was from, expecting for a foreigner not to know the quiet, unpopular state of Missouri. I bashfully told them the response “oh like the Netflix…

By Taylor L.

Published Jan. 22, 2025

This past winter break I had the most amazing opportunity. I was able to study abroad for two weeks in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During our stay in Thủ Đức, located in District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a more local and authentic experience. Unlike…

By Audrey K.

Published Jan. 17, 2025

https://flic.kr/p/2qFH6eH As I begin my last week in Vietnam, I can’t help but reflect on how much I’ve grown during this program. When I first arrived, everything felt unfamiliar — communication was a challenge, and navigating even the simplest of tasks felt daunting. Now, I feel comfortable moving around familiar areas and am starting to…