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

Engineer sustainable solutions in Vietnam
This 8-week, 8-credit program combines rigorous academic instruction with extended field engagement in Vietnam. Open to all STEM and related majors, the program integrates immersive coursework and field practicum, preparing students to design and implement engineering projects that address real-world challenges in water, energy, infrastructure, and public health. Participants collaborate with Vietnamese organizations to prototype, test, and refine sustainable solutions with meaningful local impact.
Program Highlights
  • Two 4-credit courses combining theory with hands-on application
  • Collaborations with Vietnamese firms, NGOs, and community partners
  • Professional mentorship, peer reflection, and intercultural dialogue
  • Digital portfolio to document technical work and professional growth

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
By program's end, students will:
  • Apply engineering design principles in real-world contexts
  • Collaborate across disciplines and cultures with Vietnamese partners
  • Prototype and refine solutions using human-centered and sustainable approaches
  • Reflect on technical, ethical, and intercultural aspects of engineering practice
  • Present a polished digital portfolio showcasing growth, skills, and 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

Hands-on engineering in Vietnamese contexts
Students collaborate directly with local organizations - such as engineering firms, NGOs, and community groups - in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, prototyping practical solutions in areas like water treatment, renewable energy, and public infrastructure.

Extended field engagement & local expertise
The eight-week duration allows for sustained involvement in technical projects. Weekly collaboration and mentorship from Vietnamese engineers deepen professional skills and cultural understanding.
Daily cultural immersion
Participants immerse in Vietnamese culture through daily experiences - sampling pho, banh mi, and iced coffee at street stalls, navigating bustling markets, and commuting along canals in the Mekong Delta. These experiences nurture intercultural fluency and personal growth.

Optional cultural and environmental exploration
Weekend trips offer opportunities to visit floating markets in Can Tho, explore rural farming villages, attend water puppet performances, or take boat rides along the Mekong River - adding an enriching layer of cultural context to the technical work.
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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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