SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL ENGINEERING (VIETNAM)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

An 8-credit microcertificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Microcertificate in Global Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Engineering
  • Study Abroad Destination: Vietnam
  • Summer Dates: June 1-July 24, 2026 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Innovate for Global Impact Through Engineering Solutions
The Global Engineering track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit summer program spanning eight weeks. Students embark on a transformative learning journey, applying engineering principles to real-world global challenges in a host country in Africa or Asia.

This program provides an interdisciplinary approach to engineering for social good, allowing students to tackle pressing issues in healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and sustainability. Through field-based learning, hands-on design projects, and collaboration with local engineers, entrepreneurs, and organizations, students gain practical experience in human-centered engineering.

Situated in Rwanda, a country at the forefront of innovation and sustainable development, the program blends technical skill-building with cross-cultural collaboration, ensuring students develop both engineering expertise and global problem-solving capabilities.
Program Highlights
  • Interdisciplinary learning: Explore how engineering, sustainability, and social impact intersect through an integrated curriculum focused on real-world problem-solving.
  • Field-based insights: Participate in design projects, industry site visits, and hands-on engineering challenges that showcase your host country’s leadership in innovation and infrastructure.
  • Community impact: Work on engineering solutions that address local challenges in healthcare, energy, and infrastructure, applying your knowledge to positively impact communities.

ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Engineering track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit summer program spanning eight weeks in a host country in Africa or Asia. Students embark on a transformative learning journey, applying engineering principles to real-world global challenges in healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and sustainability.

The program consists of two main courses and a capstone project, delivered in a structured sequence that progresses from theoretical learning to hands-on application. Students engage in field-based learning, technical design challenges, and collaboration with local engineers, innovators, and community organizations.

This practical, interdisciplinary approach ensures that students develop problem-solving skills, cross-cultural competencies, and technical expertise while working on real-world engineering solutions with lasting community impact.
Learning Outcomes
  • Comprehensive understanding of global engineering challenges: Gain a nuanced understanding of how engineering principles can address real-world issues in healthcare, infrastructure, energy, water management, and sustainability within diverse global contexts.
  • Practical skills in engineering design and problem-solving: Develop hands-on experience by working on field-based engineering projects, collaborating with local professionals, and applying human-centered design principles to create impactful solutions.
  • Strategic application of knowledge: Apply technical expertise and interdisciplinary approaches to real-world projects, demonstrating the ability to analyze challenges, prototype solutions, and implement sustainable engineering practices in collaboration with local partners.
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 8 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 (8 weeks): June 1-July 24

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $7,950 (8 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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