Today started off at 8:45am as we all got on the bus and headed to UEF. At UEF we had a guest lecture focused on the Mekong Delta and the problems that the farmers and region currently face. At the end of the lecture, we had the opportunity to brainstorm solutions with students from UEF. Following the guest lecture was language class and following language class was lunch.

At Lunch I had the pleasure of sitting next to Simon, one of the UEF seniors. I was able to learn more about him and his interests as well as Vietnamese culture. I learned that his favorite U.S. artists are Lana Del Ray and Taylor Swift. I also learned about the Vietnamese education system, the proper way to put fish sauce on my rice, and the importance of family in his culture.

After the filling and delicious lunch, we finished the day by going on our first site visit at TTT Corporations. During the factory tour, I noticed that in certain sections it was mainly men working and in other sections mainly women. For example, in the sections where wood was being cut it was mostly men, but where the products were being painted or sanded it was women. I also noticed that all the men in the cutting section were wearing open toed shoes, which in the United States would be a huge safety code violation. The difference in safety standards shows the continued development of Vietnam. During the presentation, they briefly discussed sustainability and they seemed passionate and proud of the efforts their company has taken. Especially because meeting certain levels of sustainability earns grants from the government.

The last thing I noticed not during the tour, but during one of the infamous photo ops after every event was the humility of the Vietnamese people. Two factory workers came to the meeting room after we toured the facility and were presented gifts on behalf of UEF. After the gifts were presented, we all squeezed together for a picture. I was standing near the two project/design managers of TTT Corporations and the factory workers. The project/design managers insisted that the female worker took a seat in front of them, and the factory worker insisted that they took the seat. They went back and forth until eventually the female factory worker took the seat. That interaction really stuck with me because the two men who in a superficial way had the “better/higher job” wanted the person with the “lower job” to take the seat to be more comfortable. In most cases, this interaction is the complete opposite from American culture. So, going back to what I said yesterday, Vietnamese people are the kindest people I have ever met and to add to that they are so humble in a truly admirable way.