#cet academic programs

Hello everyone!

It’s been three weeks since I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City for my study abroad. I’ve settled down now in the new city, gotten the hang of my daily routines, and classes are in full swing. Everyday is packed with things to do-- classes, internship, readings and homework, exploring HCMC-- that I haven’t been able to update myself on this blog. 

[Alley 18] To get a sense of where I am, here’s a photo I took on the first day. Little did I know that I will be eating most of my meals at the small shops down this alley.

First of, the people in the program are great. The students from the US, Vietnamese roommates, program staffs, and professor are all excited to be here. There are only 6 girls including myself, so our classes are seminar style like Smith. Most people in the group tend to study Public Health related majors, but there’s me (Biology major) and one Computer Science major. Another common trend is that most people enjoy outdoor activities (I do not). But when I get to know everybody little by little, I find that we all come from different walks of life.

[Alley 18] In the evening when Tet (Lunar New Year) decorations were still up. Lunar New Year is a very important day for Vietnamese culture.

Something that has surprised me during the first week of the program is how much Japanese and Korean influence I see in the city. When I walk into a convenience store like Family Mart or Mini Stop (which I also see in Japan), the shelves are lined with Japanese snacks and beauty products. It makes me feel a little comfortable to see things that are familiar to me, but it also makes me think about the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, and what being Japanese in Vietnam means.

A Family Mart. It looks just like Japan from the outside, they even say a greeting when you enter, but if you look carefully, the products you see on the shelves are different. Some of the Japanese snacks on their shelves, I would never see in Japanese convenience stores. 

In the middle of the city near Nguyen Hue Street, there’s construction going on to build the first subway system, and it is in collaboration with the Japanese government. Some people in HCMC are upset about destroying old buildings to make the subway system.

Vo Thi Sau Street after I left the restaurant where I ate dinner with friends. When I walked out, the girl sitting the on motorbike and I made eye contact. That happens a lot here. There is always somebody watching. I mean, you have to be very conscious of your surroundings, because there is so much going on in the streets.

My favorite place to be in HCMC so far is Nguyen Hue Street, otherwise known as the Walking Street. At night, this big open space is filled with young couples, children, families, and break dancers. The restaurants around this area are great (a little bit higher class and touristy). The street are in constant motion with motorbikes and cars. The buildings are tall skyscrapers that you would see in other big cities. I really like the environment that feels very active and energized.

On the walking street, there are water fountain shows, people selling bubble toys, and children taking pictures with cartoon characters. In the back is the Ho Chi Minh City Hall.

And of course, I have been eating so much amazing Vietnamese food. Before coming here, I only knew of pho and banh mi, which I only recently discovered in Northampton last year.

The very first food I ate in HCMC was this banh mi I got from a food stall in front of a stationary store along the street I live on.

First pho of my time in HCMC, I think. From Pho 24, a chain store that serves pho. Soup and noodles is always good after walking around town all day.

Bun bo Hue, the most recently favorite dish I have eaten. It’s also fun to pronounce, and one of the few words I feel confident pronouncing!

Written by Madeline Nagel, (Student Correspondent) Emory University CET Harbin, Spring 2015 When I was five, I knew for a fact that I was going to one

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