SUMMER INTERN ABROAD PROGRAM

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (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: Sustainable Development
  • Study Abroad Destination: Vietnam
  • 2025 Dates: June 28-July 25 (4 weeks)
  • 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

Engage with Global Sustainability Challenges in Vietnam
Embark on a transformative journey and complete a Global Practicum. The program offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in practical sustainability work through group placements with a host organization in Vietnam. You will address a specific sustainability challenge, by designing and implementing impactful solutions. Situated in Vietnam, the Asian Dragon and a celebrated development success story, the program blends theoretical learning with practical application, providing students with a dynamic and impactful educational experience.
Program Highlights
  • Interdisciplinary learning: Experience how different sustainability issues intersect and reinforce each other through an integrated curriculum.
  • Field-based insights: Participate in excursions and projects that showcase Vietnam's leadership in sustainability.
  • Community impact: Work on projects that not only enhance your learning but also contribute positively to local communities.
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Practicum in Sustainable Development is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning four weeks in their host country in Africa or Asia. Students immerse themselves in practical sustainability work, applying their knowledge and skills through group placements with host organizations working on real-world challenges, hand in hand with local peers.

The program follows a structured progression, allowing students to integrate theory with practice. Working alongside local experts, NGOs, and development organizations, students design and implement impactful sustainability solutions aligned with their host country’s commitment to sustainable development.

Students engage in a combination of fieldwork, project design, and implementation, with weekly class colloquia, reflection sessions, and cultural activities to deepen learning and cross-cultural engagement.
Learning Outcomes
  • Comprehensive understanding of sustainability issues: Gain a nuanced understanding of global and local sustainability challenges through targeted modules.
  • Practical skills in sustainability practices: Develop hands-on skills by participating in field-based and community-driven projects.
  • Strategic application of knowledge: Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, demonstrating the ability to devise and execute sustainability solutions.
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 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 2025 (4 weeks): June 28-July 25
Summer 2026 (4 weeks): June 27-July 24

April 1 of the respective year

Summer 2025: US $3,950 (4 weeks)
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.

VIETNAM

STAFF

All of our staff are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Thuy Phan, MA
Center Director
Dang Huynh, BA
Program & Student Services Coordinator
Cuong Nguyen Thai (Nick), MA
Program & Student Services Coordinator

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