Vietnam

Vietnam: Traditional Medicine and Community Health
(IPBH 3000 / 3 credits)

This course introduces students to community health in Ho Chi Minh City, with a major emphasis on the traditional Vietnamese medical system (TVM). This includes the philosophy that lies behind TVM and its connection with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Students have an unparalleled opportunity to observe and practice in a clinical setting. Through the introduction of key techniques associated with traditional Vietnamese medicine, such as herbal remedies, medicinal preparation, Vietnamese massage, acupuncture with the added benefits of gentle electric stimulation, students interact ethically and responsibly with Vietnamese medical doctors, hospital staff, and certified practical healers. Students also participate in local social activities, educational excursions, and group discussions. In this manner, students simultaneously develop a well-rounded understanding of TVM and some associated elements of TCM and intercultural skills required for successful learning and communication. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam, students engage with diverse methods and approaches of traditional healing and learn how the Vietnamese and Chinese communities in Chinese Town interact and support each other. Students can observe how the local Chinese community has preserved the Chinese cultural spirit over centuries. On day trip to the Mekong Delta, students are able to learn about local TVM practices from herbal specialists. A week-long excursion to the ethnic minority areas in Dalat City in the Central Highland area introduces students to indigenous medical systems in rural areas. Both excursions include meetings with local medical practitioners.

Beginning Vietnamese
(VIET-1003 or VIET-1503 / 3 credits)

Intermediate Vietnamese
(VIET-2003 or VIET-2503 / 3 credits)

Advanced Vietnamese
(VIET-3003 or VIET-3503 / 3 credits)

Three language level courses are designed to develop students’ communication skills in standard Vietnamese. These courses emphasize oral expression and listening comprehension and integrate Vietnamese culture to promote students’ cross-cultural awareness and understanding. Due to the great differences in Vietnamese and English, students will also be introduced to strategies and skills for learning Vietnamese as a foreign language.

Classes and field-based language activities are taught by qualified, native-speaking language teachers from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Vietnam-American Association in Ho Chi Minh City. Students are placed into the appropriate level based on oral proficiency interviews on arrival in Vietnam. These placements may not directly correspond to the student’s level at the home institution as SIT courses focus on communicative competence and linguistic functional ability.

Instruction consists of 45 hours of formal classes spread over a six-week period in Ho Chi Minh City. Additional hours of instruction and guided field practice are integrated during excursions to the Mekong Delta, Dalat City, and throughout the homestay period in Ho Chi Minh City. These language practicum classes take full advantage of the local environment, requiring students to practice their skills outside the walls of the classroom, yet in a structured way with the support of the language instructors.

Beginning Mandarin Chinese
(CHIN-1003 or CHIN-1503 / 3 Credits)

Intermediate Mandarin Chinese
(CHIN-2003 or CHIN-2503 / 3 credits)

Advanced Mandarin Chinese
(CHIN-3003 or CHIN-3503 / 3 credits)

Three language level courses are designed to develop students’ communications skills in standard Chinese. These courses emphasize oral expression and comprehension, but also includes instruction in Chinese characters. Moreover, the courses integrate Chinese culture to promote students’ cross-cultural awareness and understanding. Due to the great differences in Chinese and English, students will also be introduced strategies and skills for learning Chinese as a foreign language.

Classes and field-based language activities are taught by experienced, professionally trained, native-speaking teachers of Chinese as a foreign language using oral proficiency-based methods. Students are placed into this level of the language courses based on in-country oral proficiency interviews. These placements may not directly correspond to the student’s level at the home institution as SIT courses focus on communicative competence and linguistic functional ability.

Instruction consists of 45 hours of formal classes spread over a six-week period. Various teaching methods are employed, including in-class discussions on Chinese and U.S. subjects, recitations for aural comprehension, and intensive grammar exercises. Students are placed in small groups for language instruction and exercises. TVM- and TCM-related vocabulary supplements daily lessons. Additional hours of guided practice in Chinese are provided during the educational excursion period.