Getting to Know Ho Chi Minh City
By: Zachary Vlessing, CAS ’22
Zachary bowling with a group of language exchange students in Vietnam
Viet An Group – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Acclimating to the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City is no easy task. For my first time really living by myself in another country, I wanted to experience something completely out of my comfort zone. Ho Chi Minh City proved that, although through the façade of speeding motorbikes and a foreign language, I realized that life in Ho Chi Minh isn’t so different from Philadelphia. There are still the major landmarks (our Liberty Bell replaced with their Independence Palace), supermarkets, movie theatres, hairdressers, and ethnic food from all corners of the globe. Ho Chi Minh City allows you to immerse yourself as much as you desire, even if that means for the first few weeks avoiding the local outdoor restaurants or electing to take the normal taxi instead of the much more efficient (and in my opinion exciting) motorbike taxi.
When it comes to navigating local life, the local buddy system through Penn’s exchange partners in Ho Chi Minh has completely changed what I have been able to see and experience in my study abroad. These local university students signed up to interact with American students and are absolutely fascinated by our culture and in addition want practice with their English skills. In return, they give tips on where to go, what to do, and insight into the lives of students in metropolitan Vietnam. More importantly, they have offered friendship. There are many planned activities, from bowling and a cooking class to a day trip to the Mekong Delta. As a result, although I initially was afraid of being by myself for so long in another country, I became close to not only my fellow Penn students, but our local buddies as well.
My overarching advice is to come in as open-minded as possible because this city really has so much to explore. Vietnamese culture, history, and politics is not widely publicized in the United States outside of the infamous Vietnam War, so I constantly find myself confronted with new tastes, ideas, and ways of life. With an adventurous attitude, I find myself captivated by this amazing city and country.
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce. Placements and funding awards are available.