Department of Social Work

The College at Brockport Vietnam Project is the first US study-abroad program of its kind in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. A blend of study and service in Danang provides the opportunity for US students from any college or university and any academic major to study Vietnamese language, culture, history, and politics while providing community service in Central Vietnam. Students live in the Project House and are immersed in the community of Danang. They have a unique opportunity to experience Vietnam as no other study-abroad program can provide during a full semester.

The project is one of many study-abroad programs throughout the world offered by the College's International Education Program, one of the largest study abroad programs in the US.

The first group of US students was placed in Danang in January 2000, the 25^th anniversary year of the end of the Vietnam War.

The project, including registration information for the fall/spring and summer program, can be found at the College's Study Abroad website.

This site will detail the development of the project from its inception to the present. While it will be useful to those interested in participating as a student, it is intended as a guide to those developing an educational, social, community assistance, and corporate presence in Danang.

The government of Danang describes the community at www.vnn.vn/province/danang/ .

This site will provide:

Professor Kenneth Herrmann, Jr. signing project agreements at the Danang Union of Friendship Organizations with Nguyen Dinh An (chairman of the Friendship Union and the Fatherland Front)
and Hoang Hoanh (vice-chairman of the Friendship Union).

Ambassador Le Van Bang in April 1999

Project Administrator, Director, Secretary.

ORIGINAL CONCEPT PROPOSAL

This was the original proposal submitted to explore the development of a program in Danang:

SUNY BROCKPORT VIETNAM PROJECT, September 1998

The SUNY Brockport Vietnam Project will establish a presence in Vietnam in order to provide a unique educational experience for graduate and undergraduate students in a developing nation with a distinct historical role in the world and to meet particular needs of Vietnam. Vietnam is now in the process of dynamic economic and social change. Establishing an educational program in this nation will provide an innovative accomplishment with a clear potential that will benefit Vietnam and the students and faculty of the College and the University. In addition, the effects of such a program would reach far beyond the University in improving relations between our countries. This seems the most opportune time to begin such a program.

PROGRAM GOALS

Program goals for students:

Provide an experiential educational program in Vietnam in which students may:

Provide the opportunity in Vietnam in which SUNY faculty may:

Provide opportunities for the development of various activities to enhance present programs at SUNY by:

Provide the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and contact organizations in that nation with opportunities to:

a. develop relationships with SUNY students faculty which would enhance present educational and service resources.
b. utilize the skills of faculty and the resources of SUNY in both program enhancement and program development at     no cost to Vietnam.
c. use the services of student interns in various capacities to expand services in a wide-variety of economic, business, education, social development, and other sectors of the local community in Vietnam.
d. share information which would further develop international understanding in such a manner that Vietnam would strengthen its role in the world community.
e. make use of this program's resources efficient and effective to expand present national and international education in order to meet needs identified by Vietnam.

The SUNY Brockport Vietnam Project would involve:

The potential for student and faculty involvement is great. Social-work students may engage projects in community development, orphanages, rural health clinics, etc. Political science students may explore the development and implementation of policy and governmental functioning. Art students may be involved in projects involving Vietnamese art history and the development of art. Business students may engage the emerging corporate and business activities in Vietnam. History students may examine the history of this country and study the use of history in national development. Education students may study the local educational systems and teach English in rural schools. Health science students may study the delivery of health-service systems and may be involved in rural health delivery systems. It appears that students in all disciplines and professions might benefit from this program.

The program also has the potential to provide services to Vietnam which would enhance the provision of available personnel, skills, and other resources at no cost tolocal institutions. While the students will learn, they will provide services. While SUNY faculty and professionals will develop scholarship and services opportunities, they also will provide skills and assistance to Vietnam at no cost to that nation. The benefits include, but are not limited to:

STAGES OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

The project would involve completing a feasibility stage, development stage, and action stage.

Feasibility Stage: One Semester

Other colleges and universities have programs which involve basic study tours. These and other related educational programs will be investigated in order to explore the feasibility of establishing the permanent program proposed. Contact will be made with college and university staff who have been involved from other institutions. This information will be evaluated.

Establishing such a program involves arrangements with government ministries, business and industries, colleges in Vietnam, and other individuals. Contact persons and organizations will be identified. They will be approached with this program concept in order to gain information and possible support.

The cost of establishing and conducting the program will be explored with College personnel and others both here and abroad in order to be able to propose a predictable and reasonable budget.

Travel to Vietnam will necessary during this stage to directly contact relevant individuals and organizations and to explore the logistics of such a program.

Development Stage: One Semester

Approval by SUNY, Vietnam government, and other identified groups will be obtained. Funding will be sought with the submission of grant applications to appropriate private and corporate foundations. Once approval and funding are obtained work will begin on making the logistical arrangements, identifying and recruiting staff, and establishing a presence in Vietnam and at SUNY Brockport.

During this time, efforts will take place at SUNY Brockport to establish faculty and staff support and in Vietnam to identify and establish functional relationships among government, academic, and related individuals and organizations.

Program materials, processes, and procedures will be developed to integrate this program fully with SUNY Brockport's International Studies and other applicable programs. Efforts will be made throughout the College to inform faculty, staff, and students of the program. Marketing efforts will be developed and implemented to make this program available nationally.

Action Stage

This stage will involve both the implementation of the program and its on-going evaluation of the program. The program will recruit students from across the nation for program placement, identify the students, and effect their placement in Vietnam. Evaluation instruments will be used with program staff, students, and involved Vietnamese having input into this process.

The project's director at SUNY Brockport will travel to the project in Vietnam twice annually and will issue periodic reports to the College administration, as required. Long term funding sources will be explored as an on-going responsibility of the College.