PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Study Tour (Vietnam) is an immersive educational program to provide students with first-hand knowledge of the SDGs in an emerging economy context.
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LEARN AND APPLY HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN PRINCIPLES
Human-Centred Design is an approach to problem-solving and design that “starts with the people you’re designing for and ends with new solutions that are tailor-made to suit their needs” (IDEO). Learn from local experts how these principles are applied in the Vietnamese context. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY You'll have the opportunity to develop and enhance existing community projects, or create new ones while ensuring that local communities are at the heart of each project. WORK COLLABORATIVELY IN SMALL, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS Partner with a team of other Australian students, local 'design for development' experts, and communities to develop projects with a Vietnamese focus. |
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FAST FACTS
Program Length
14 days Program Dates — |
Application Deadlines:
-- Program Deposit Deadlines: -- |
We use rolling applications and reviews and applications will close when programs are full, so early submissions are encouraged.
Note that universities have internal deadlines for funding programs like OS-HELP, so apply early.
Note that universities have internal deadlines for funding programs like OS-HELP, so apply early.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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YOUR IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Could look something like this...
Could look something like this...
EXAMPLE ITINERARY
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Days 1 -3
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Days 4 - 6
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Days 7 - 10
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Days 11 - 14
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Day 1 – Arrival and Program Kick-off
Pickup from the airport with a smile. Transfer and check into the hotel in Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter. The day is your own until you meet your fellow program participants at a welcome group dinner. This is your first introduction to Vietnamese food and the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s traffic.
Day 2 – Vietnam Culture and Scavenger Hunt
Today’s workshops are in the Museum of Ethnology, a museum showcasing different ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Here, get to know your fellow students, and we start the program with an introductory Vietnamese language lesson, as well as an overview of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Experience a traditional fun activity, the Water Puppets over lunch. In the afternoon, go on a scavenger hunt through vibrant Hanoi city with Domino Education, seeking out weird and wonderful surprises. Finish the day with some local cuisine (that you can do your best to order yourself with your new-found vocabulary)
Pickup from the airport with a smile. Transfer and check into the hotel in Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter. The day is your own until you meet your fellow program participants at a welcome group dinner. This is your first introduction to Vietnamese food and the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s traffic.
Day 2 – Vietnam Culture and Scavenger Hunt
Today’s workshops are in the Museum of Ethnology, a museum showcasing different ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Here, get to know your fellow students, and we start the program with an introductory Vietnamese language lesson, as well as an overview of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Experience a traditional fun activity, the Water Puppets over lunch. In the afternoon, go on a scavenger hunt through vibrant Hanoi city with Domino Education, seeking out weird and wonderful surprises. Finish the day with some local cuisine (that you can do your best to order yourself with your new-found vocabulary)
Day 3 – Social Enterprise in Vietnam
Business and social impact come together as we explore some of Hanoi’s most successful social enterprises. Our base today is iSEE Hub, who fight for the rights of minority groups in Vietnamese society. We’ll have guest speakers and workshops on project design, social enterprise, microfinance and different models for development. Today's speakers and sessions will help inform and guide your thinking around which SDG you would like to focus on. Tonight’s activity is a networking evening with Live and Learn to learn about the environmental SDGs and their inspirational environmental education projects and campaigns.
Business and social impact come together as we explore some of Hanoi’s most successful social enterprises. Our base today is iSEE Hub, who fight for the rights of minority groups in Vietnamese society. We’ll have guest speakers and workshops on project design, social enterprise, microfinance and different models for development. Today's speakers and sessions will help inform and guide your thinking around which SDG you would like to focus on. Tonight’s activity is a networking evening with Live and Learn to learn about the environmental SDGs and their inspirational environmental education projects and campaigns.
Day 4 – Climate Change in Vietnam
Today we explore more SDGs as we go on a day trip to Thai Binh province with GreenID, a Vietnamese NGO. We'll learn about renewable energy, and how Vietnamese organisations are tackling climate change. We'll visit a range of community projects and get hands on with renewable energy initiatives on this fun day trip. Tonight we head back to Hanoi for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – Microfinance and Rural Development
Understanding how culture and community is involved in development is a big part of today’s activities. Today we leave Hanoi and head to beautiful Hoa Binh province set amongst rice fields and tiny villages. For this part of the program we work with Bloom Microventures, an organisation providing microfinance to rural women in Vietnam. Bloom supports female farmers and you will get the chance to learn more about their seed investment for the woman to start a farming business. A grant recipient will share her story, the business plan and let you join her family in a farming activity available in the season. Check out the surrounding area on a homemade tractor, and cool off in a beautiful lake. We’ll also visit one of the communities that Zo Paper works with, and see the paper-making process. Zo Paper is a Fair Trade social business conserving traditional paper-making methods and promoting products made by traditional Zó paper. Tonight stay overnight at a homestay Bloom has supported in the beautiful Hoa Binh region. Tonight we'll have a fun group activity such as team trivia or the Great Debate.
Today we explore more SDGs as we go on a day trip to Thai Binh province with GreenID, a Vietnamese NGO. We'll learn about renewable energy, and how Vietnamese organisations are tackling climate change. We'll visit a range of community projects and get hands on with renewable energy initiatives on this fun day trip. Tonight we head back to Hanoi for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – Microfinance and Rural Development
Understanding how culture and community is involved in development is a big part of today’s activities. Today we leave Hanoi and head to beautiful Hoa Binh province set amongst rice fields and tiny villages. For this part of the program we work with Bloom Microventures, an organisation providing microfinance to rural women in Vietnam. Bloom supports female farmers and you will get the chance to learn more about their seed investment for the woman to start a farming business. A grant recipient will share her story, the business plan and let you join her family in a farming activity available in the season. Check out the surrounding area on a homemade tractor, and cool off in a beautiful lake. We’ll also visit one of the communities that Zo Paper works with, and see the paper-making process. Zo Paper is a Fair Trade social business conserving traditional paper-making methods and promoting products made by traditional Zó paper. Tonight stay overnight at a homestay Bloom has supported in the beautiful Hoa Binh region. Tonight we'll have a fun group activity such as team trivia or the Great Debate.
Day 6– Rural Life in Vietnam
This morning we'll learn more about Social Enterprise and business models for creating effective change, as well as about working effectively in communities. We'll visit a Broom factory, which is a local business employing people from this community, before joining more community activities. Tonight we'll have dinner and a relaxing evening in our homestay.
This morning we'll learn more about Social Enterprise and business models for creating effective change, as well as about working effectively in communities. We'll visit a Broom factory, which is a local business employing people from this community, before joining more community activities. Tonight we'll have dinner and a relaxing evening in our homestay.
Day 7 – Xuan Son National Garden
Today we head to a Muong and Dao Tien ethnic minority community in the midst of beautiful Xuan Son National Garden. The gardens have set up new homestays for people to experience the beauty of the garden, and the peacefulness of this area. This will be a great opportunity to learn about rural life in Vietnam, and to engage with the local community. We'll have the chance to try traditional dress and play cultural games with our homestay hosts. Overnight in Xuan Son Homestays.
Day 8 - Trekking and Gathering
Start the day on an note with trekking in the National Garden. We'll collect mushrooms and vegetables on the way, and learn about natural herbal plants. Cool off with a swim in a local spring and waterfall before getting sweaty again with a game of soccer against the local. Tonight's activity is traditional dancing and fun with our hosts.
Today we head to a Muong and Dao Tien ethnic minority community in the midst of beautiful Xuan Son National Garden. The gardens have set up new homestays for people to experience the beauty of the garden, and the peacefulness of this area. This will be a great opportunity to learn about rural life in Vietnam, and to engage with the local community. We'll have the chance to try traditional dress and play cultural games with our homestay hosts. Overnight in Xuan Son Homestays.
Day 8 - Trekking and Gathering
Start the day on an note with trekking in the National Garden. We'll collect mushrooms and vegetables on the way, and learn about natural herbal plants. Cool off with a swim in a local spring and waterfall before getting sweaty again with a game of soccer against the local. Tonight's activity is traditional dancing and fun with our hosts.
Day 9 – Lend a Helping Hand
This morning we'll spend time discussing our project ideas with the local community as it is essential that we have our 'users' needs at heart with any project that we develop. We'll spend the afternoon helping out with a community project such as creating STEM educational tools for the local school, or teaching children about recycling. Tonight we'll be awed by each other's hidden skills, jokes, stories and expertise, with the Unbound Talent Show.
Day 10 - Village Exploring
Stretch your legs before we head back to Hanoi with a walk or cycle through the village. We'll have a morning workshop where you'll be placed in the 'hot seat' and have to answer tricky questions about your projects to make sure you have thought of everything, and have tested your assumptions. In the afternoon we travel back to Hanoi and have a free evening to explore this vibrant city.
This morning we'll spend time discussing our project ideas with the local community as it is essential that we have our 'users' needs at heart with any project that we develop. We'll spend the afternoon helping out with a community project such as creating STEM educational tools for the local school, or teaching children about recycling. Tonight we'll be awed by each other's hidden skills, jokes, stories and expertise, with the Unbound Talent Show.
Day 10 - Village Exploring
Stretch your legs before we head back to Hanoi with a walk or cycle through the village. We'll have a morning workshop where you'll be placed in the 'hot seat' and have to answer tricky questions about your projects to make sure you have thought of everything, and have tested your assumptions. In the afternoon we travel back to Hanoi and have a free evening to explore this vibrant city.
Day 11 - Projects Intensive
We begin today with a workshop with innovative youth group, Knowmads. Hone your communication and pitching skills, essential soft skills in today's changing job market! Then for the afternoon spend time working on your projects with your team and gathering user feedback on your idea. Tonight's dinner is a street food highlight - the delicious cook-your-own hotpot!
Day 12 - Painting and Projects
This morning we'll complete the Zo Paper supply chain with a visit to their shop to see all of their beautiful finished products. We'll have the chance to try printing and colouring folk paintings at GIU Shop, using the Zo paper that we saw being made in the community. This afternoon is the last chance to put the finishing touches on your action project. Finish your prototypes, launch your website, or seek feedback from Vietnamese people. If you’ve already finished your project do some last minute souvenir shopping, get a massage, or do some last sightseeing in bustling Hanoi.
We begin today with a workshop with innovative youth group, Knowmads. Hone your communication and pitching skills, essential soft skills in today's changing job market! Then for the afternoon spend time working on your projects with your team and gathering user feedback on your idea. Tonight's dinner is a street food highlight - the delicious cook-your-own hotpot!
Day 12 - Painting and Projects
This morning we'll complete the Zo Paper supply chain with a visit to their shop to see all of their beautiful finished products. We'll have the chance to try printing and colouring folk paintings at GIU Shop, using the Zo paper that we saw being made in the community. This afternoon is the last chance to put the finishing touches on your action project. Finish your prototypes, launch your website, or seek feedback from Vietnamese people. If you’ve already finished your project do some last minute souvenir shopping, get a massage, or do some last sightseeing in bustling Hanoi.
Day 13 – Presentations and Graduation Dinner
After two weeks of working on your Action Project, it’s time to show us what you’ve come up with. Then it will be time to present your project to a panel of experts who will critique and congratulate you on your projects. This is followed by graduation photos in one of Hanoi’s iconic sites. Be amazed by what your peers have come up with. Tonight we will all enjoy a graduation and celebratory dinner.
Day 14 – Farewells and Departure
You are welcome to depart at any time. A farewell breakfast is the last formal activity, and the day is a chance for any last minute shopping. Lots of goodbye hugs. Transfer to the airport to head back to Australia or any onward travels.
! NOTE: Program is subject to change depending on local community availability, national events and weather conditions. Depending on the group size, the program may split to visit different communities to ensure small teams and a personal experience.
After two weeks of working on your Action Project, it’s time to show us what you’ve come up with. Then it will be time to present your project to a panel of experts who will critique and congratulate you on your projects. This is followed by graduation photos in one of Hanoi’s iconic sites. Be amazed by what your peers have come up with. Tonight we will all enjoy a graduation and celebratory dinner.
Day 14 – Farewells and Departure
You are welcome to depart at any time. A farewell breakfast is the last formal activity, and the day is a chance for any last minute shopping. Lots of goodbye hugs. Transfer to the airport to head back to Australia or any onward travels.
! NOTE: Program is subject to change depending on local community availability, national events and weather conditions. Depending on the group size, the program may split to visit different communities to ensure small teams and a personal experience.
"The unbound program was a really eye-opening experience. What surprised me about this program is what I got out of it. I learnt so much more than I expected and I got a way better perspective on life as well. I’ve learnt how to be a bit more open."
Will, University of Technology Sydney
Will, University of Technology Sydney
PARTNERS
KEY LOGISTICAL PARTNER
KAHC KHAC is a social enterprise which specialises in organising educational tours to promote positive values of life among humans. In collaboration with other social enterprises and local communities, KHAC provides the most authentic, lively, and compassionate experience-based learning programs to enable urban children to regain its balance, love towards a peaceful life. |
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