Learning from summer trips abroad

A group of Arabic studies students participated in an Arabic debate competition in Qatar - Photo: NVCC

The trend of international "traveling" during the summer has been extremely exciting since the COVID-19 pandemic.

For me, summer is the best time to have fun and learn interesting things. And overseas competitions are a great opportunity and provide valuable experiences.

Student Nguyen Thi Van Anh

From the land of sand to the land of snow

This summer, three female students Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Duong Huynh Nguyet Anh, Nguyen Thi Hoang Kim, Department of Arabic Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City), went to Qatar to compete in the International Universities Arabic Debating Championship.

Taking place in late May 2024, the tournament brings together teams from 100 universities from 50 countries around the world that offer Arabic language training.

Each round takes place in a direct confrontation format, debating on the same topic. One side will argue in favor, the other side will argue against.

The student group said that in addition to language skills, each team will have to apply knowledge and understanding to argue and convince the judges with their arguments and proofs.

The way of presenting and arranging ideas logically was also graded. As a result, the group of students from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities won two matches against their opponents from the University of Khartoum (Sudan) and the Islamic University of Maldives (Maldives).

Summer trips abroad to compete in international competitions and playgrounds are not strange to students of Arabic studies, including Van Anh.

In 2023, Van Anh was also part of the Asian Arabic debate team held in Oman with the participation of 20 universities. Last year, Van Anh's team also won two victories against two universities from Azerbaijan and Malaysia.

According to Van Anh, each contest is an opportunity for students to learn more practical experiences when learning and using Arabic.

You will know where your language level is compared to your international friends, know the difference between the use of this language in different countries, and from there have a development strategy for yourself. In addition, Van Anh can also get to know new international friends.

Also this summer, student Huyen Chau, 21 years old, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Ho Chi Minh City National University), has just received a Russian Government scholarship to participate in a short-term Russian language internship program (10 months) at the Pushkin National Institute of Russian Language. This is a valuable opportunity for Chau to improve her Russian language, learn about Russian culture and make international friends.

"I researched and learned in advance on Russian study abroad groups to learn from the experiences of seniors.

During the scholarship application process, I was also very worried and uneasy because the cost of paperwork (health check-up, document translation...) also costs a fair amount of money, so if I'm not careful and have to redo it, it will be very costly.

Only when the final results were out, the list of people boarding the plane to Russia and receiving the plane tickets, did I dare to breathe a sigh of relief," Huyen Chau shared.

Only pay for airfare and visa fee

MSc. Nguyen Hoang Oanh, head of the Chinese language department at Lac Hong University, informed that this summer, many groups of students from the school will "go abroad" to participate in many different study trips.

A group of 30 students will attend a two-week summer camp and two-month summer internship at Guilin Polytechnic University (China). Another group of 10 students will participate in the 2024 summer Chinese cultural exchange at Chihlee University of Science and Technology (Taiwan).

Another group of 15 students will attend a summer camp to practice filming and editing videos and experience Chinese culture in 2024, organized by a media company in Fujian.

Ms. Oanh said that most of the trips were sponsored by partners. For example, Guilin Polytechnic University sponsored tuition and dormitory fees (total sponsored cost was 955 million VND), Chihlee University of Science and Technology waived tuition, dormitory, travel expenses, lunch in Taiwan and a return air ticket (total 152 million VND).

Media companies in Fujian also waive tuition fees, food, accommodation, and field trips (totaling 550 million VND). Normally, students only have to pay for airfare and visa fees.

According to Ms. Oanh, universities and partner organizations with financial support will create conditions for many students to experience the summer without having to spend too much money.

To do so, at the faculty level, universities will need to have connections and work with partners in advance. Units from Vietnam can proactively raise issues to get the best benefits for students.

Similarly, MSc. Vo Thi My Van, principal of Saigontourist College of Tourism and Hospitality, said that many student exchanges will be based on two-way relationships.

For example, three students and two lecturers from the school will soon go to the Békéscsaba Vocational Training Center in Hungary to participate in an exchange program.

During one month, students will study and experience like native students in Hungary with tuition and accommodation costs sponsored by the partner school.

Visa risk

This summer, TT, 20 years old, a student at a member school of Ho Chi Minh City National University, registered to participate in a summer program in Kobe (Japan) with the goal of improving his Japanese.

However, T.'s application process encountered many problems. Currently, T. is having problems with his visa and is likely to have to cancel his participation in the program.

A study abroad consultant said that the risk of visa rejection is always there when students participate in activities and competitions abroad. In many cases, despite their excellent academic ability, they have to regretfully not be able to attend because they cannot get a visa.

According to this expert, students should start with programs in Southeast Asia or countries that exempt visas for Vietnam. This will be a premise for students to more easily attend programs in countries with stricter visa requirements.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-tu-nhung-chuyen-xuat-ngoai-mua-he-20240622010212303.htm