Today, we began our day with the usual trip to UEF to learn more about Vietnamese culture and religion, focusing on traditional family values and the Buddhist religion. Afterwards, we visited the NgocHoang pagoda close to the university to observe the religion in real life. Upon entering the pagoda, I was surrounded by statues of…
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Day 9: The Beauty of Buddhism and the Violence of War
Today, we began our day with our last lecture, this time it was centered on Buddhism. To start our lecture, we learned a little bit more about Vietnamese culture and traditions and their relationship with Buddhism and other religions like Confucianism. After that, we dug into Buddhism, starting with its history. I found the history…
Buddhism and War History
Today started off with a visit lesson about Buddhism and a visit to a Buddhist temple. I was intrigued to learn more about Buddhism since I did not really know much about it before. I found the ideas central to the religion to be interesting. I was also fascinated to hear about a religion that…
Day 9: Alignment
Today was a strictly cultural and historical day. We started off learning about Buddhist theory and visiting a pagoda. I am a cradle Catholic, so it was very interesting to contrast Buddhist philosophy with what I have grown up believing and still believe in. From what I have learned, both today and from a plethora…
Day 9: Peace and War
This morning, we started our day with a lecture on Buddhism and the origins of the Buddha. There are many Buddhist people in Vietnam, including UEF classmates, so learning more about the root of their values and lifestyles gave insights into learning more about our friends. After the lesson, we were able to visit a…
Day 9 – The Tragedies of the ‘American’ War
Today we had our last class at UEF on the foundations and ideals behind Buddhism. Coming from a predominantly Christian set of people back home, I knew almost nothing about this religion. However, this class expanded my knowledge by showing me how Buddhism does not focus on a God, but it focuses on becoming more…
Vietnam Day 8
This morning we all took a class on the religion Buddhism. What I found interesting about the Buddhism religion is that they believe when you pass depending on how good you were in this life depends on what you get reincarnated into in the next life. Right after the class we took a trip down…
Day 9: Culture and Coruage
This morning after I ate breakfast, I had some extra time before we had to leave for UEF. So, I went to try coconut coffee for the first time, and it was one of the best drinks I have ever had. I will be getting it every morning from now on until we leave. When…
Day 9: Getting Cultured
Today was a full day of cultural exploration, but first, let’s start with our trip to the Cu Chi tunnels on Sunday. I’m not going to lie—it was not the most enjoyable experience. The heat, humidity, and still air in the tunnels were brutal, and by the end of the first one, everyone was drenched…
Day 8: Peace, Pagodas, and Perspective
Today was filled with rich lessons on religion, culture, and history. We started the day at UEF learning about Buddhism, followed by a visit to the Ngọc Hoàng Pagoda, the same one President Obama visited during his time in Vietnam. Afterward, we had lunch, explored the Reunification Palace, and ended the day at the War…
Nirvana and Napalm: Day Nine
Our morning today focused on Buddhism. It was peaceful and very interesting to hear about Buddhism’s influence in Vietnam. We visited a Buddhist temple after our class on Buddhism. Our afternoon however, was bloody and deformed. We visited the Independence Palace, which was incredible to see and walk through such historical halls. After the Independence…
Big Baller Blog Day 8
After a great day yesterday, we decided to visit the Buddhist temple. When we walked in, the temple was very big and spacious. After visiting, I came to learn a lot about their culture, and I think the philosophy of Buddhism is truly meaningful. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve learned bits and pieces…
Day 8: Buddhism and the American War
We began our day yet again with another cultural class at UEF. This time, our focus was on the history and religion of Buddhism. Personally, I believe that the religion of Buddhism is a meaningful way to worship peace and humility. The pagoda was a beautiful example of demonstrating this. From the pagoda’s exterior landscape…
Day 8: War Remnants Museum
We started the morning at the Ngọc Hoàng Pagoda, and I have to say, it was such a beautiful and calming place to visit. The architecture was intricate and full of symbolism, representing different values in Buddhist philosophy. Watching people light incense and pray in silence was moving, especially after learning more about Buddhism earlier….
Day 8: Coherent
Xin chao! Started the day off with the typical bowl of pho for breakfast. Coherent Corp is a global technology company that makes high-tech materials, lasers, and components used in communication networks, electronics, and manufacturing. Originally known as II-VI Incorporated, the company changed its name after acquiring another laser company called Coherent in 2022. Coherent’s…
Day 8: The Chip Rush
“When everyone is digging for gold, sell shovels.” It’s an idiom that came from the gold rush, where those selling equipment could have huge, consistent returns as compared to the unreliability of digging for gold. Similarly, Coherent is capitalizing on new market trends in computer chips and big data by selling large, expensive, and specialized equipment…
Day 8: Tech Tours and Team Spirit
Today, we got to start our day by getting back to our company visits with Coherent. Coherent develops many pieces of technology, from lasers to chips to so much more. Essentially, Coherent works to design and develop all the technology that will be in new products two years from now. Coherent’s products can also be…
Day 8: High Tech in Vietnam
Today, we began our day with a site visit to Coherent, a company that originated from the US that now has sub branches in many parts of the world, including HCMC. Its focus is on a wide range of products, all dealing with electronics and lasers of the sort. According to one of the senior…
Day 8 – Coherent Site Visit and Soccer!
We started off today with a company tour of Coherent. They are the largest producer of lasers sold in the US for the last 50 years. These lasers are used in the automotive industry for production, medical devices, and additive manufacturing technology. They also produce cloud storage options and work to create some of the…
Day 8: Coherent, Birthday, and Soccer!
We started our morning off with a presentation and tour of Coherent, a cutting edge manufacturing company of high-tech components and equipment used in lasers, communications, defense, and more. If I had to describe Coherent to a peer, some words I would use are independent, innovative, and incredible. We had the pleasure of touring their…