Stepping off the plane in Vietnam, I didn’t quite know what to expect. Three weeks later, I’m amazed by how quickly this place has become a home away from home. From early morning bike rides along the rice fields to lively evenings in the heart of Hoi An, this city has welcomed me in more ways than one.
The academic side of life in Hoi An has been equally eye-opening. As a Development Studies student, living in a city that blends traditional and modern influences feels like stepping into a living classroom. From our lectures on global development trends to the visible impacts we witness in the local community, every day brings new opportunities to apply what we learn in class. If you are coming straight from High School, the studies can seem overwhelming at first. The staff has assured that the transition goes as smooth as possible. We are further divided into seminar groups, where we once a week discuss what we have learnt. The seminar leaders have also arranged a “How to Study” workshop, which I would recommend attending if you have not studied before.
One of the highlights so far has been the people. This semester we are a big group of almost 90 students, but as we are all experiencing something new and exciting together, we have quickly formed a tight-knit community. There is both Norwegians, Swedes, and Vietnamese students in our class. We’ve explored local cafes, shared countless Vietnamese iced coffees, and navigated the winding streets of Hoi An together. It’s incredible how fast you get to know people when everyone is in the same, new boat. A lot of the students, including me, travelled alone, but rest assure that you will quickly get friends for life.
The Kulturstudier staff has arranged several activities during the last few weeks, which has been great in order to learn more about the Vietnamese culture, as well as bonding with other co-students. Last week we attended “Vietnam Day”, where we got to try a typical Vietnamese breakfast and drink coffee at a local eatery. Continuing, we were divided into smaller groups and had a quiz around Hoi An. After lunch and some free time, we ended the night with a round of a popular Vietnamese game called Bai Choi, or “Street Bingo”. There were great prices for the winners! We have also been able to try out different sports such as football, volleyball, table tennis and badminton. Attending these sports that Kulturstudier offers, is a great way to meet co-students in a different setting, and who knows? Maybe you’ll find your new favorite hobby or a new friend!
We have also been lucky to be in Hoi An for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is an important cultural event for the locals. It is also referred to as the Children’s Festival. The festival takes place on the Full Moon night (the 15th day) of the 8th lunar month. It is believed that this is when the moon shines the brightest during the whole year. During the festival, troops preform dances to the beat of drums and gongs, and children will carry glowing lanterns through the streets.
Last week we also got to experience the Full Moon Lantern Festival. This is an age-old tradition where the entire old town shut off electricity, close off traffic and transform into a magical blend of flickering candles, colorful lanterns, and lively gatherings. This celebration occurs on the 14th day of the lunar calendar.
I feel lucky to call Hoi An my student city. As we settle into life here, I’m excited for the coming weeks. There’s still so much to learn, both academically and culturally. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester brings.
Tạm biệt!
– Carina