DE ANZA COLLEGE
VIETNAM in VIET-NAM
Karen Chow & Vu Duc Vuong, Faculty
Summer 2012
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE COURSE: SHORTER Q & A:
I am available and happy to meet with you by appointment. Please
email me: [email protected], or call me at: 408-864-8358.
The itinerary is as follows:
COURSES: EWRT 1A, 1B, 1C, EWRT 2, ELIT 10 , and
Sociology 5
Tentative Schedule
2 July--Class starts at De Anza (Library Room on second floor,
adjacent to the DeCillis Collection, #235) Class will only meet one
day that week
9-12 July—Classes (4 days)
17-18 July—Classes ( 2 days)
Depart for Hanoi, 22 July
24 Jul—12 Aug Tour and study In country: Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long
Bay, Yen Tu, Quang Binh, Hue, Da Nang Hoi An, Sai Gon, Tay
Ninh, Cu Chi, Can Tho.
12 Aug Return to US, Sai Gon to SFO (You may elect to stay in
Viet Nam and return later)
Final Papers due after return via email.
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The trip should cost around $3795 including air fare. We are
prepared to offer some scholarships of up to $500 based on
financial need, and if you are on FAFSA you may apply for money
for this trip. You also may be eligible for a BOG Fee Waiver. I am
on campus daily and would be happy to meet with you. This is the
most fun studying and travel that you can do, and will also prepare
you for four year school and strengthen your application.
Please give me a call or come by my office (Karen Chow can often
can be found in the Academic Senate Office in ADM 117) and let's
talk. And bring your friends!!! We will be limited to the first
eighteen students. I’LL KEEP YOUR NAME AND LET YOU
KNOW WHEN OUR FIRST ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
WILL BE.
ABOUT THE COURSE—LONGER Q&A
What does “Vietnam in Viet Nam” mean?
We study about Vietnam while traveling in country.
Do I have to enroll as a De Anza student to take part in this
course?
Yes. At least for 9 credits. (De Anza follows the quarter
system.)
Are these credits transferable?
Yes. Anywhere in the U.S.
How many credits can I get from this summer class?
Minimum: 9;
maximum: 14.
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What courses will be offered?
EWRT (College Composition and Critical Thinking,
transferable levels, including 1A, 1B, 2, 1C), and ELIT 10 (Intro
to Literature) and SOC 5 (Sociology of Globalization and
Social Change)
What will we study?
A little bit of practically everything: history, literature,
politics, anthropology, arts, economics, religion, … lots of
food, travel, sightseeing and meeting people.
Does it cost extra for enrolling in this program?
Yes. You need to enroll as regular students of De Anza and
pay the tuition according to your status and a $37.50 basic
fees for everyone. Plus reading materials (about $50). ALL
FEES & TUITION MUST BE PAID BY June 15
The $3,795 covers airfare to and from the U.S, travel in Viet
Nam including in country air and buses, lodging, and most
meals while in VN. (Drinks are on your own.)
What are the requirements for completing this course?
Read the assigned materials,
Participate in class discussion,
Travel in Viet Nam and experience various aspects of life
there,
Participate in classes and meetings with various experts in
VN,
Read a local newspaper (e.g.: VIET NAM NEWS) while in
Viet Nam,
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Keep a journal with daily entries for the duration of the
course,
Keep an open mind,
Cooperate with class leaders and classmates,
Complete a final paper for each course.
Are there any scholarships? How much? And how to qualify?
There are a small number of scholarships this year. Each
scholarship may range up to $500 is based on the student’s
needs. To apply, please fill out the scholarship portion in the
Application Form.
How many students will be accepted for this year?
We’ll limit the class to 18 students from De Anza this year.
ABOUT VIET NAM & VIETNAMESE
I do not look Asian; will I encounter hostility in the streets?
Almost never.
I look Vietnamese, but I don’t speak Vietnamese well, will I be
discriminated against?
Not likely.
Is Viet Nam a Communist country?
Yes.
Do Vietnamese hate Americans because of the war?
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In general, they do not hate Americans, although some still
don’t like the American Government. On the other hand,
some Vietnamese tend to place the American culture on a
pedestal. Keep your balance here.
How should I behave while in Viet Nam?
Generally, as a guest visiting a friend’s family.
ABOUT LOGISTICS
When does this course start, and where?
It starts on Monday, 2 JULY, on the De Anza campus.
When will we leave for Vietnam?
The evening of 22 July (as we now plan; it may change
slightly.)
When will we come back to San Francisco?
Monday, 12 Aug.
Can we stay in Vietnam longer, after the end of the course?
Yes, but you need to let us know how long before we buy the
airplane tickets.
Do we have insurance?
Yes. In addition to your own.
We all need to buy overseas insurance, to be on the safe side.
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Note: for students under 25 years old: it’s about $35.
For those older: it may be up to ten times more.
What’s the weather like in Viet Nam in July?
Hot and humid. This time of the year, generally around 90
degrees F.
Think of Hawaii or Florida
Are all the lodging costs covered?
Yes, for double occupancy. Single rooms require a
surcharge.
Are the meals included in the cost?
When we eat together, which is most of the time, meals are
covered. Hotels usually provide breakfast. Occasionally
you’ll have free time to explore the cities on your own, and
you’ll pay for your own meals then.
Is transportation inside Viet Nam also included in the cost?
Yes. Except when you are exploring on your own.
Be sure to check with the instructors first when you want to
venture out on your own.
Where will we stay in Viet Nam?
Generally in mid-range hotels, with good amenities (hot
shower, air conditioning, clean beds and linen, private
bathrooms, usually with internet connection, etc…)
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We’ll have the exact addresses (with contact info.) once
you’re in the program.
OTHER PREPARATIONS
What types of clothing should I pack?
Light, loose-fitting, and one more “dressy” outfit, just in
case.
Pack as if you’re going to Hawaii, Florida, or Puerto Rico.
We’ll be on the move pretty constantly in Viet Nam, so pack
light. Generally speaking, two medium-size suitcases should be
sufficient. Each of us is allowed two pieces of checked-in luggage
on international flights, but on domestic flights inside Viet Nam,
we’ll have to pay for any surcharge. Do NOT bring a huge/heavy
suitcase, as it will be difficult to move about.
Any other medicines we should pack?
Imodium
Tylenol
Walgreens’ Airborne55
Your personal prescription drugs
Any preventive shots or medicines?
You should check with your doctor, but generally we
recommend:
Tetanus
Hepatitis
Malaria
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Do I need to bring any small gifts?
Very advisable. You’ll meet a number of Vietnamese during
this trip, students as well as other specialists, and depending
on the circumstances, you may want to give some tokens of
friendship.
What kinds of gift would be suitable?
Generally small items with some local significance (De
Anza, San Francisco, CA, or the U.S., etc…) Best to avoid
gifts with religious or political messages.
Should I tip hotel room cleaners?
Always. The general rule is 15,000 dong, a day, per person.
(about 90 cents).
Can we drink the tap water in Viet Nam?
Our advice: NO. For drinks with ice cubes, check if the ice is
“clean ice” (i.e. made from “clean” water) in which case it’s
safe. Wherever we go, stock up on bottled water; that’s safe.
Mid-range restaurants and up, they usually have “clean” ice.
Can we eat raw vegetables?
Again, NO. The general rule is: anything that’s not been
cooked thoroughly or peeled by yourself, don’t eat it. Avoid
raw seafood (oysters, clams, etc…)
Are there websites (in English) that we can read about Vietnam?
Plenty. Here are a few:
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Vietnam Net Bridge :
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/
Lots of background, and a daily news service;
Vietnam News:
http://vietnamnews.vnanet.vn
You’ll read this paper five days a week in
Vietnam too.
Tuoi Tre (Vietnamese):
http://www.tuoitre.com.vn
Thanh Nien (English):
http://www.thanhniennews.com
One of the two major dailies in Vietnam
Saigon Times Daily:
http://www.saigontimes.com.vn/daily
Vietnam Economic Times:
http://www.vneconomy.com.vn
Vietnam News Net:
http://www.vietnamnews.net/
BBC (Vietnamese):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/vietnamese/
WHAT’S COMING UP NEXT?
Application Deadline:
Apr 20, 2012 (with $500.
deposit)
The deposit is refundable until June, if you decide to pull out,
or if the class is too full and we cannot accept you this year.
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Notification of scholarship and amount:
May 1, 2012
Sign agreement to hold De Anza harmless: by May, 2012
Payments: Deposit ($500.) due with submission of application
Even if you apply for a scholarship;
Full payment ($3,000) Friday, Late May, 2012
(minus the scholarship, of course.)
Visas: Bring in valid passports : date TBA in early June 2012
Leaving for Viet Nam (tentative):
Ha Noi
Return to San Francisco:
SFO
Sunday, 22 July - SFO-
Sunday 12 Aug - Sai Gon--
Any questions/comments: email Dr. Chow at
[email protected]
Or Prof. Vuong, at [email protected]
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