#1 - MAKE VIETNAMESE FRIENDS


Our program is built on a unique collaboration with Hue University where an equal number of Hue students join the UCR students to carry out "travel writing" projects, exploring Vietnam and the old imperial capital, facilitating interviews, and becoming friends. Most study abroad programs emphasize the "tour" but they often provide little opportunity for American students to actually meet and work with local students. This program incorporates the VN-US partnership into the independent study (HIST 190) "travel writing" projects. Friendships are not only fun but can provide meaningful connections for international work in the future. After running "HueStories" four times since 2007, we've seen how many of these friendships LAST!

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#7 - BECAUSE YOU CAN!

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Let's start with the three most common negatives: (1) can't afford it, (2) can't convince my parents, (3) can't find the time. Cynthia and Lien  - "Making Rice" travel project - 2015 1. Money . The cost of the program covers (1) lodging, almost everything but lunch, dinner and a giftshop allowance; (2) in-country travel by bus, plane to Hanoi, daily excursions; (3) course fees for 8 units.  However, did you know that you can apply your student aid to summer? (For details see ( http://studyabroad.ucr.edu/fleap/ )You can also apply federal and California grants (like Pell grants), and finally there are merit-based and need-based scholarships!!!   In past trips, roughly half of the students going receive a significant mix of scholarships, financial aid and small grants to offset the cost of the program by several thousand dollars! Take advantage of these grants as a student !!!  Its unlikely that post-graduation you will find anyone willing to...
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#3 - TRAVEL TO AMAZING SITES!

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Khai Dinh's Tomb - from Henry Leung This trip balances an intensive immersion experience in Hue with weekend trips to some of Vietnam's most amazing natural and cultural wonders. The trips pair up with readings in the history course - HIST 189. After the first week, the group visits ancient Cham monuments built in the 8th century and a medieval trade port where Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese sailors mixed with Vietnamese settlers and other travelers. Also, even in Hue, we stay inside the ancient walled city ! Every day you will cycle or taxi to the University and the guesthouse on ancient streets, just a few blocks from the old imperial palace. Read Ampava Khongmongkorn's post on a visit to Hue's largest Buddhist temple. We visit Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, for three days and will explore the ancient and modern center of Vietnamese society, staying in the "ancient streets," old mercantile quarter, visiting archeological digs uncovering...
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