Global Leadership Adventures - Vietnam: Travel and Volunteer

  Vietnam

• Hanoi: 
Hanoi
• All Other Areas in Vietnam: 
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),  Hue,  Hoi An

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: June-July 2009

Description: Travel from North to South Vietnam, soaking up historic sites, temples, and markets, eating in vibrant restaurants, and strolling through bustling streets. We'll start in Hanoi, and then explore the mystical Halong Bay with its rocky crags and towers. We'll ride a train down to the intellectual town of Hue, and then spend five days in the historical town of Hoi An volunteering before flying down to Saigon

Highlights: Our five days in Hoi An will be spent volunteering with the well-known East Meets West Foundation. The foundation was started by LeLy Hayslip, whose life story was chronicled in Oliver Stone's film, Heaven and Earth. You will help build homes with their Compassion Homes program that provides underprivileged children and their families a dry and safe dwelling where they can live safely and with dignity.

Learning:

Vietnam offers the intellectually curious student so much to learn. Immerse yourself deeper in the culture by learning some of the local language, connect directly with farmers while wading through the rice paddies, and try your hand at Vietnamese cooking. You'll also visit inspirational organizations that are working to alleviate poverty and suffering such as an orphanage for disabled children, and a non-profit restaurant that was created to support a children's home and train the teenagers to work in the restaurant business.

Excursions:

Although the entire program is a journey through markets, pagodas, beaches and towns, we will do day trips to explore the country up close. On many days, we'll ride bicycles around town as a way to experience Vietnam like a local. In Halong Bay, we'll ride on traditional fishing boats. You'll also have a chance to visit world-class museums like the Ethnology Museum that showcases the 52 ethnic groups in Vietnam and the War Remnants Museum that is a gruesome reminder of the horrors of the Vietnam War.

Schedule:

- Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, stroll through city
- Day 2: Hanoi - Explore Old Quarter, Museum of Ethnology and street food
- Day 3: Halong Bay - kayak to beaches, Vietnamese language class
- Day 4: Halong Bay boat ride through rock formations, overnight train to Hue
- Day 5: Hue Bike tour of city, Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda
- Day 6: Hoi An Travel by bus to Hoi An along the coast
- Day 7: Hoi An Homemade silk production, seaside lunch, explore rice paddies
- Day 8: Hoi An Community service, visit ecological farm
- Day 9: Hoi An Community service, Vietnamese cooking class -
- Day 10: Hoi An Community service, afternoon at orphanage
- Day 11: Hoi An Community service, tour the Cham archaeological ruins
- Day 12: Hoi An Community service, visit local non-profit organization
- Day 13: Saigon Fly to Ho Chi Min City, also known as Saigon, historical downtown
- Day 14: Saigon Last minute shopping, return flight home

Cost in US$: $3,195

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Vietnam in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Global Leadership Adventures's Mission Statement: To empower students to be agents of positive change across borders

Year Founded: 2004