SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL ENGINEERING (VIETNAM)


A 4-credit Global Field Engagement Program in Vietnam

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Field Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Engineering
  • Study Abroad Destination: Vietnam
  • 2026 Dates: June 6-26 (3 weeks)
  • Credit: 4 U.S. credit hours (~ 8 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Explore Real-World Engineering Challenges in Vietnam
Embark on a transformative journey and complete a Global Field Engagement Course in Engineering. This program offers a deep dive into human-centered engineering solutions, focusing on how technology and innovation can address pressing global challenges in healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Situated in Vietnam, a country known for its commitment to innovation and sustainable development, the program blends theoretical learning with hands-on application. Students engage with local engineers, industry professionals, and researchers, gaining valuable insights and practical experience in designing engineering solutions that create real impact.
Program Highlights
  • Interdisciplinary learning: Explore how engineering, sustainability, and technology intersect through an integrated curriculum focused on real-world problem-solving.
  • Field-based insights: Engage with local engineers, researchers, and industry professionals, participating in technical site visits, case studies, and design challenges.
  • Community impact: Work on engineering solutions that address local challenges in healthcare, energy, and infrastructure, applying your skills to positively impact communities.
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Field Engagement Course in Engineering is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning three weeks, plus pre-program eLearning. Students embark on a transformative learning journey, applying engineering principles to global challenges in healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and sustainability.

The program follows a structured sequence, progressing from theoretical foundations to hands-on field-based learning. Students engage in technical site visits, engineering case studies, and collaborative design challenges, working alongside local engineers, researchers, and industry professionals.

This interdisciplinary, practical approach ensures that students not only gain technical expertise but also develop problem-solving and cross-cultural collaboration skills essential for addressing real-world engineering challenges.
Learning Outcomes
  • Comprehensive understanding of global engineering challenges: Gain insight into the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and innovation, exploring how technical solutions address real-world issues in healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and water management.
  • Practical skills in engineering problem-solving and design thinking: Develop hands-on experience through field-based learning, technical site visits, and design challenges, applying human-centered engineering principles to global challenges.
  • Strategic application of knowledge: Apply engineering theories, analytical skills, and interdisciplinary approaches to engineering projects, demonstrating the ability to evaluate problems, propose solutions, and adapt technical expertise to diverse contexts.
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: VIETNAM

The Asian Dragon is undergoing some of the fastest socio-economic changes any country in the world has seen. It is a major development success story with remarkable rates of economic growth since the start of massive political and economic reforms in 1986. But the lure of modern living has a deep impact on the traditional networks of family and community that continue to play a pivotal role in society.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Vietnam is a highly inspiring Asian leader in its commitment to sustainability and innovation.
As part of the program, you will experience the country’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic cities. In Ho Chi Minh City, take an innovative walking exploration of the traditional Binh Quoi area, visit key historical sites in Old Saigon, and learn about the Vietnam War at the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Vietnam is also incredibly diverse in landscapes and traditions. Enjoy floating markets in the Mekong Delta, row boat rides along river estuaries, and bike through local villages.
Visit workshops for rice paper, coconut candy, and puffed rice, and learn to cook delicious Vietnamese dishes. Spend weekends exploring Hanoi, the ancient towns of Hue and Hoi An, or the breathtaking limestone islands of Halong Bay. Siem Reap in Cambodia, home to Angkor Wat, is also just a quick trip away.

Vietnam’s café culture is thriving, and you’ll get to experience egg coffee in Hanoi or a strong Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. Try traditional street food like banh mi (baguette sandwiches) and pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), and witness the art of water puppet theater, a centuries-old performance tradition.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 3 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.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

Summer 2026 (3 weeks): June 6-26

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $3,650 (3 weeks)

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Program Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Academic Director, Vietnam
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Thailand
Kari Cousins, MA/MSc
Academic Director, Southern Africa
Yvan Rubengebenge
Operations Manager, Rwanda
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations, Vietnam
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations, South Africa

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