SUMMER INTERN ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL ENGINEERING (VIETNAM)

Global Practicum

A 4-credit global practicum to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Practicum Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Engineering
  • Study Abroad Destination: Vietnam
  • 2026 Dates: June 27-July 24 (4 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

Engineer for global challenges in Vietnam
This 4-week, 4-credit Global Practicum gives students hands-on experience working alongside Vietnamese practitioners to tackle engineering projects that address local and global needs. Ideal for STEM students, this intensive placement prioritizes social impact, technical proficiency, and sustainability within a vibrant Southeast Asian context.

Participants collaborate with Vietnamese host organizations - such as engineering firms, social enterprises, or NGOs - to co-develop and implement solutions across disciplines like infrastructure, water, energy, or public health. Weekly cultural immersion and professional reflection enrich both technical growth and global competence.
Program Highlights
  • Field-based design & implementation: Apply engineering solutions in real-world contexts
  • Professional collaboration: Work with Vietnamese colleagues and mentors
  • Sustainable impact: Design solutions responsive to environmental and social needs
  • Portfolio development: Build and present a polished digital portfolio to document your work and leadership
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
This practicum combines full-time field placement with structured learning:
Learning Outcomes
By program’s end, students will be able to:
  • Implement engineering solutions collaboratively with Vietnamese partners
  • Apply technical knowledge to meet real development needs in low-resource settings
  • Communicate project plans, outcomes, and context professionally
  • Reflect on ethical, environmental, and cultural dimensions of engineering practice
  • Present a polished digital portfolio that articulates technical skills, intercultural learning, and project impact
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

Embedded in Vietnam’s engineering landscape

Students join Vietnamese host organizations in Ho Chi Minh City or the Mekong Delta, contributing to projects in fields like water management, infrastructure, or renewable energy. Placements are tailored to match each student’s technical skills and goals.

Mentorship and weekly reflection
Weekly colloquia led by local mentors and GEI staff provide space for reflection and dialogue. Students examine ethical challenges, sustainability, and cross-cultural teamwork in real time, guided by professional and peer insight.
Immersive daily life
From enjoying street food staples like pho and banh mi to sipping iced coffee by the river, daily life in Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho offers a rich cultural experience. Visits to local markets and interactions with Vietnamese colleagues foster deeper connection.

Optional cultural activities
Outside of work, students may explore the floating markets of Can Tho, attend a traditional water puppet show, or visit temples and museums. Optional weekend trips to other regions of Vietnam can further enrich the cultural journey.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 4 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 (4 weeks): June 27-July 24

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $3,950 (4 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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