The first two courses of the program were “Planning and Rural Development in the Mekong Delta”, taught by Mr. Tran Anh Tung, Head of the Faculty of Business Administration , and “Vietnamese Language”, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Hong Ha - Dean of the Faculty of Public Relations and Communication. The classes were also attended by Dr. Nguyen Kim Thoa - Deputy Director, UEF International Institute, along with representatives from the University of Pittsburgh: Ms. Stephanie Laura Spirk, Global Experiences Program Manager, and Prof. Haimanti Banerjee.
 

In the specialized class on the Mekong Delta, U.S. students were introduced to an overview of the region’s geography, economic importance, development strategies, and the challenges it faces in the context of sustainable development.
Topics such as food security, agricultural exports, and climate change adaptation strategies offered international students valuable insight into one of Vietnam’s key economic zones. The class saw an active exchange of ideas, with many questions raised and lively discussions taking place—reflecting the students’ genuine interest and open-minded academic engagement.

 

Continuing the program, the Vietnamese language class came to life with a variety of interactive practice activities—from pronouncing the alphabet and recognizing tones to using personal pronouns, greetings, and expressions of thanks. The international students embraced the new language with enthusiasm and a positive learning spirit. Their bright smiles and excitement upon correctly pronouncing a Vietnamese word reflected the growing cultural connection being formed through these early lessons.

 

The first day in the UEF lecture hall marked the beginning of meaningful academic connections between students from both universities. UEF student companions were proactive, friendly, and supportive in assisting, translating for, and guiding their Western peers. There were no language barriers or cultural gaps—only a shared spirit of curiosity and discovery as they embarked on this journey of knowledge together.
  The first day in the UEF lecture hall marked the beginning of meaningful academic connections between students from both universities. UEFers companions were proactive, friendly, and supportive in assisting, translating for, and guiding their Western peers. There were no language barriers or cultural gaps—only a shared spirit of curiosity and discovery as they embarked on this journey of knowledge together.