The 2010 Vietnam Culture and History program runs for 12 days, January 7- 19, 2010.  The program is a collaborative project of Salisbury University and the Vietnam-USA Friendship Society.  It provides an opportunity for students of any age and any discipline to travel through contemporary Vietnam while reading, hearing lectures, and experiencing first hand the beautiful and complex history and culture of the Vietnamese people.  The program includes presentations on Vietnamese history, music, literature, economics, and politics.   Participants visit three of Vietnam’s most important cities: Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. 

CLASS: All participants register for a 1-credit interdisciplinary course entitled IDIS 280: Vietnam: Culture and History.   Coursework includes lectures throughout the two week experience, site visits, a selection of short readings, brief reflective essays based on important themes in Vietnamese culture and history, and group conversation and participation.  Vietnamese scholars, artists, and professional practitioners make presentations to the group throughout the program. Attendance at all program events and participation in all academic activities are strictly required.

EXCURSIONS: The program begins in the northern city of Hanoi where participants will visit the US Embassy and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The program then explores the region outside of Hanoi including a boat cruise along Ha Long Bay and a tour of Long Tien Pagoda in Hon Gai. The last two days in Hanoi are spent visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the Van Canh Friendship Village, and local artisans. Participants then fly to Danang for two days. The program visits the ancient town of Hoi An and the My Son Temples, the ancient holy sanctuary of the lost Kingdom of Champa (IV-XIII centuries a.d.). Finally, the program flies to Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Excursions in and around Ho Chi Minh City include the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum, the Cao Dai Temple,and the Cu Chi Tunnels.

HOUSING: During their stay in Vietnam program participants will be housed in double occupancy rooms in three-star tourist hotels.  Breakfasts at the hotel are included each day.   

COST: Tuition and fees for the 2010 Vietnam: Culture and History are estimated to be $3465. A final cost will be determined early in fall semester 2009.  The price will include all tuition, round-trip international airfare, housing in three-star hotels throughout the program, breakfast each day, welcome and departure group dinners, several additional group meals, all in-country ground transportation and airfare, most activity entrance fees, honoraria for guest lecturers, all interpreters and tour guides, international health insurance, and substantial travel support by the Program Director and the Vietnam-USA Friendship Society.   Not included: passport and visa fees, some meals, personal spending money.

DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT INFORMATION:  An initial deposit of $250 is due at the time of application.  This deposit is part of the total advertised cost of the program.  Once a student is academically admitted by the faculty director, the initial non-refundable deposit is due to the Cashier’s Office.  The student will be automatically enrolled into the study abroad course.  The University Billing Office will then bill each registered student for the total cost of the study abroad program (less the deposit amount) through the regular university billing system.  Standard University deadlines for withdrawals do not apply to study abroad programs.  Once the published Application Deadline occurs, the accepted student is responsible for the entire amount of the study abroad program charge. 

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Application forms are available at the Center for International Education or from the faculty director.   Completed application forms are currently being accepted by the faculty director or by the Center for International Education. In addition to the application form interested students should submit the following:

• A 300 word typed essay answering the question: "How will my participation on the Vietnam: Culture and History program contribute significantly to my academic career and influence future plans? ",

• A completed faculty recommendation form from a faculty member who knows the student well.  Recommendation form available here. 

Students will be admitted on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled.  Once the program is full, accepted students will be placed on a waiting list.  Deadline for applications is October 1, 2009.  All questions concerning the program should be addressed to the program director:

Prof. Bryan Horikami, Program Director

Department of Communication Arts
Phone: 410-677-3206 E-mail: bkhorikami@salisbury.edu

Printable Color Brochure Available Here