SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (VIETNAM
GEI CERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT
A 16-credit certificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.
AT A GLANCE
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Certificate in Global Engagement Program
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Disciplinary Track: Sustainable Development
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Study Abroad Destination: Vietnam
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Spring Semester Dates: Feb 2-May 17, 2025 (15 weeks)
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Fall Semester Dates: Sep 1-Dec 13, 2025 (15 weeks)
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Credit: 16 U.S. credit hours (~ 32 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
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Eligibility: Any field and level of study
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
ACADEMICS
This 5-week online course introduces students to the foundational theories of sustainable development, structured around six thematic entry points to global transformations: Human wellbeing and capabilities, Sustainable and just economies, Food systems and nutrition, Energy decarbonization and universal access, Urban and peri-urban development, and Global environmental commons. Students explore these entry points through coursework, discussion, and small group assignments. Throughout the course, small groups tackle a major sustainability assignment, creating a concept map, conducting research, proposing solutions, and preparing a group project paper and presentation.
Students receive 3 weeks of intensive language study in basic Vietnamese. This training teaches them the basic tools to enter into and engage with Vietnamese culture. Provided by an experienced language teacher, the course consists of 60 hours of formal instruction, including classroom sessions as well as experiential sessions, such as shopping, eating out, cooking, music, and dance.
This 3-week course takes students into various field settings across Vietnam, where the theories and principles from the COIL course are applied in real-world contexts. This course allows students to engage directly with projects and policies that reflect the innovative strategies discussed in the initial modules. Throughout the course, students cultivate essential competencies to become global change leaders for sustainable development. The course culminates with a community-engaged learning project where students tackle a sustainability challenge of a local partner host organization.
This 4-week interdisciplinary global practium immerses students in practical sustainability work through group placements with a host organization in Vietnam. It integrates learning from all previous modules and courses, addressing a specific sustainability challenge within the Vietnamese context. Students design and implement impactful solutions, tailored to their disciplines, level of study, and existing skills. Each Friday, the students come together for a class colloquium and reflection session, as well as cultural activities.
As capstone project, students create a digital portfolio that serves as a comprehensive record of the students’ achievements and learning throughout the program. Students gather artifacts from their coursework and field experiences to showcase their development and mastery of skills. The portfolio culminates in a reflective essay and a presentation, promoting self-assessment and continuous learning.
There are no specific prerequisites or requirements. Students can be enrolled in any major or minor and can be at any level of university study. While we try to always place students in cohorts with similar levels of study, please understand that this may not always be possible.
Our programs are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The pace especially for the onsite experiences is generally accelerated and the workload is demanding. The U.S. grading scale of A to F is used. Students will receive a variety of assignments. They include six module-based small group assignments, a major group project, and a personal reflective essay (ENV302), engaged participation in intensive language study, homework, a final written test, and a final oral proficiency test (LAN304), six module-based small group assignments, engaged participation in a community-engaged learning project, a weekly reflective journal/blog/vlog, and a project report (ENV301), engaged participation in a global practicum, a weekly reflective journal/blog/vlog, and a project report (ENV303), and a digital portfolio culminating in a reflective essay and a presentation.
16 U.S. credit hours (~ 32 ETCS credits) for eligible undergraduate students via our U.S. academic school of record. After successful completion of the program, you will receive a comprehensive GEI transcript as well as the GEI Certificate in Global Engagement. Please check with your academic advisor at your home institution to confirm how many credits can be accepted for your degree program.
The language of instruction is English.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Vietnam is a highly inspiring Asian leader in its commitment to sustainability and innovation.
As part of the program, you will visit numerous local organizations and companies that work at the cutting edge of their respective fields. Starting in Ho Chi Minh City, the program might take you to Saigonicom, Tinh Than Foundation, the Institute of Circular Economy Development, FoodBank Vietnam, or Limart. You will then move to the Mekong Delta in the south of the country and visit partners like Abavina, Sokfarm, the Mekong Delta Development Research Institute at Can Tho University, or the Climate Change Institute at An Giang University.
As part of the program, you will visit numerous local organizations and companies that work at the cutting edge of their respective fields. Starting in Ho Chi Minh City, the program might take you to Saigonicom, Tinh Than Foundation, the Institute of Circular Economy Development, FoodBank Vietnam, or Limart. You will then move to the Mekong Delta in the south of the country and visit partners like Abavina, Sokfarm, the Mekong Delta Development Research Institute at Can Tho University, or the Climate Change Institute at An Giang University.
HOUSING & MEALS
The program includes a minimum of 10 weeks in Vietnam. For this time, GEI Vietnam offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:
- Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
- Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
- University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
- Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.
You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.
You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.
DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Spring 2025 (15 weeks): Feb 3-May 17
Fall 2025 (15 weeks): Sep 1-Dec 13
Spring 2025: Dec 1
Fall 2025: July 1
Spring 2025: US $15,950 (10 weeks onsite)
Fall 2025: US $15,950 (10 weeks onsite)
Extra weeks onsite: $300/week
Vietnam
STAFF
All of our staff are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.