Vietnamese students explore American culture through CityU University Summer Camp
WVR - Students from Van Lang University and FUNiX got to explore life in the US through the Summer Camp organized by City University of Seattle.
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| The Vietnamese delegation participated in Summer Camp in Seattle 2023 including four students from Van Lang University and FUNiX. (Photo: Van Lang University) |
Taking place from July 12 to August 5, the Camp is exclusively for students from City University of Seattle’s (CityU) partners around the world. The Vietnamese delegation consisted of four students from Van Lang University and FUNiX Online Education.
Together with nearly 120 youths from Mexico, Slovakia, Canada, etc, the students got to experience life in Seattle, known as one of the best places to live in the United States due to its vibrant economy, rich culture and rare natural beauty.
FUNiX’s representative, Nguyen Cong Truc, is the only high school student in the Camp. Despite being a high-schooler, thanks to studying Software Engineering at FUNiX, Truc is able to attend Summer Camp as a future student of CityU. Studying FUNiX is an opportunity for high school students to learn and experience university life earlier than his peers.
After three weeks of living and studying in Seattle, what Truc enjoyed the most was the visit to Amazon Headquarter. As an IT student, he was surprised to learn that writing is a skill required by every position in the company, as it enables clear and logical presentation of thoughts and ideas.
The Amazon Showroom also dazzled the 17-year-old student with Amazon's latest technology products, such as automatic robots, electronic globes that display earthquakes, forest fires, etc. .. on the planet.
"The visit motivated me to try harder, so that I will be able to work in such a great company in the future," said Truc.
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| Nguyen Cong Truc during the visit to Amazon Headquarter. (Photo: FUNiX) |
Ho Minh Hoang, a sophomore majoring in English Language, under the Honors Program, Van Lang University, was more impressed with the visit to the Mopop Museum (Museum of Pop Culture) - home to some of the world's most legendary pop culture artifacts.
“The Museum left a deep impression on me because it records the historical development of American popular culture,” Hoang added.
The 20-year-old also confessed that the Summer Camp had changed his view of America. Before, America to him was sometimes breaking news on mass shootings, racism, homelessness or extravagance.
“What I see in the media is actually just an exaggeration. Seattle is calm and beautiful, with many communities living peacefully together,” Hoang shared.
In addition to the cultural experience, Vietnamese students also take English classes at the Washington Academy of Languages, a language school under CityU. Each lesson revolves around a topic about Seattle, such as tourist attractions, local economy, etc. After class, the students also visit places relevant to the topic in order to gain a deeper understanding.
With the aim of broadening her knowledge and network, Nguyen Ngoc Tuong Vy, a camper from Van Lang University feels very satisfied with the camp. “I got to visit so many famous places in Seattle, experience public transportations and make many new friends”, Vy shared.
Le Quang Thao, Deputy Head of Department and International Cooperation - in charge of Honors Program, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Van Lang University, who led the Vietnamese delegation, considered the program a great opportunity for young people to learn about life in the US, improve their English and become more independent. “After only three weeks, they all have become much more confident and mature,” he added.
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| The Summer camp is a great opportunity for young people to experience American life and culture. (Photo: Van Lang University) |
FUNiX Online Education signed a partnership agreement with City University of Seattle In August 2021 to launch a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science transfer program. Specifically, CityU accepts FUNiX credits equivalent to approximately the first two years of the bachelor program.
Students can then transfer to CityU for the remaining two years to earn an undergraduate degree. CityU degrees are nationally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools. It is on the list of American Universities recognized by Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.
Van Lang University and City University of Seattle have worked together to provide TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification in Vietnam from 2019. In 2021, the two schools launched the Master of Education program - with a major in TESOL. Students study 1/3 of the TESOL Master's program at Van Lang University, then have the option to take the remaining credits in Seattle to complete the program.
