A group of 38 students – including international students and VNUK ambassadors – spent 10 weeks together in the Kulturstudier Program: Culture and Development Studies in Vietnam. For the Norwegian students, the field trips that allowed them to fully immerse themselves in local culture and lifestyle were undoubtedly the highlight of the course.
Kulturstudier – A Vibrant Multicultural Journey for Nordic Students
Kulturstudier (Culture Studies), an organization from Oslomet, Norway, offers international short-term study programs in Argentina, Costa Rica, Ghana, Nepal, and Vietnam. With the aim of enriching intercultural experiences and equipping students with skills for global careers, Kulturstudier also provides annual scholarships for Vietnamese students.
The Spring Semester 2024 marked the second collaboration between Kulturstudier and VNUK. 32 international students from Northern Europe together with 6 VNUK ambassadors experienced 10 weeks of intensive learning in Culture and Development Studies across Da Nang and Hoi An.
Picture 1. Kulturstudier Autumn Semester 2023 Cohort
Beyond classroom lectures, students from two very different cultures shared unforgettable emotions through field trips to the Cơ Tu Village – Bho Hoong in Quảng Nam, the Đà Nẵng Museum, and Hòa Thọ Textile Company. VNUK-ers also introduced their international friends to not only famous tourist attractions but also hidden gems that only locals would know.
Exploring the stunning coastal route of Central Vietnam was more than just a journey. For international students, it was a chance to immerse themselves in the rich local culture and Vietnam’s 4000-year-old history. For VNUK-ers, it was a unique opportunity to internationalize themselves while seeing Đà Nẵng through the eyes of friends from around the world.
Starting the Spring Semester with a Cultural “Feel” in Bho Hoong Village
One of the most memorable highlights was the 2-day-1-night trip to Bho Hoong Village, Đông Giang District, Quảng Nam Province. The authentic experiences left a strong impression on the young participants, who were eager and open-hearted as they embraced a culture completely different from their own.
Picture 2. Norwegian students enjoying lunch at the Rong House – Bho Hoong
The Kulturstudier students joined in traditional singing accompanied by indigenous musical instruments of the Co Tu people, immersed themselves in the Tung Tung Da Dá – the Co Tu’s sacred dance dedicated to the heavens – and gathered at the Rong House to savor the most authentic dishes of the village. As the campfire was lit, with songs echoing through the night and warm handshakes exchanged, cultural and ethnic differences seemed to fade away, leaving only pure joy shared among people rejoicing in the heart of the mountains and forests.
Picture 3. Fire-dancing experience with VNUK students and the local community
Elena, one of the Norwegian students joining the Bho Hoong trip, shared:
“I think the most impressive thing Vietnam has left in me is its richness in cultural identity. Sitting side by side with my Vietnamese friends, listening to them share about local traditions and their aspirations, sitting on the floor to enjoy unique dishes while slowly getting to know each other… those are unforgettable experiences for me.”
Exploring the cultural identity and historical heritage of the coastal city at Da Nang Museum
The next stop in the Kulturstudier journey with VNUK was a visit to the Da Nang Museum – a place preserving rare artifacts and embodying the pride of the coastal city’s people.
With the dedicated and engaging guidance of the museum staff, the Norwegian students experienced a vivid “slice” of Da Nang: from the heroic struggles of the Quang Nam – Da Nang people in defending their homeland, to the lively archaeological findings of the Sa Huynh culture, and the spiritual life of local ethnic minority communities.
Picture 4. Group photo in front of the Da Nang Museum
Gaining a deeper understanding of the land, and of the roots of the people they meet every day, has surely added another meaningful chapter to the “Vietnam adventure diary” of the warm-hearted and approachable Norwegian students.
Final Stop: Hoa Tho Textile & Garment Joint Stock Corporation
The final destination of the study program was a field trip to Hoa Tho Textile & Garment JSC – one of the oldest and largest textile enterprises in Central Vietnam.
Picture 5. Field trip to Hoa Tho Textile & Garment JSC
This visit offered students the chance to engage directly with the Board of Directors of Hoa Tho, allowing both international and VNUK students to gain clearer insights into the working environment of a large enterprise. They also toured two of the company’s major factories to better understand how the production lines operate and how workers carry out their daily tasks.
10 weeks, 70 days, 1,680 hours – What did the Kulturstudier diary hold?
“Friendly,” “Interesting,” “Creative,” “Engaging”… – these were the words Elena and her friends used to describe their experiences in Vietnam.
Elena shared: “Hoi An – Vietnam attracts many international visitors, and I felt that I could truly live alongside the local people. Everyone was so friendly and made me feel warmly welcomed here. The Hoi An – Da Nang route is incredibly beautiful, where you can witness a seamless transition from peaceful countryside landscapes to a modern city. Meeting VNUK students and the kind-hearted locals has been a true blessing for me.”
Picture 6. Norwegian students blending into local life
Emil, one of the Kulturstudier students, also shared:
“What I like most about Vietnam is its local culture with so many interesting people and customs. I enjoy the nature and weather here as well. Of course, Vietnam is very different from Norway where I live – much hotter, with a stronger sun. Ten weeks have passed so quickly, filled with joy, and I truly hope to introduce this course and experience to my friends back in Norway.”
Ten weeks, 70 days, 1,680 hours of breathing in Vietnam’s air, living side by side with its warm-hearted people, greeting strangers with a simple “Xin chào” – all these have surely become unforgettable memories for the Norwegian students. It was a journey imbued with the scent of the sea breeze and the spirit of youth, echoing the words of Vietnamese rapper Đen Vâu:
“Everyone has their youthful days, but they will eventually grow old. Those days when your feet have not yet tired – no amount of money could ever buy them back.”
Picture 7. Kulturstudier students with VNUK ambassadors
The spring semester of the Kulturstudier program has officially come to an end. For the Nordic students, it was a spring full of academic learning and cultural discoveries in a country located 10,000 kilometers away from home. For VNUK ambassadors, it was a chance to experience Hội An – Đà Nẵng through the eyes of international friends.
Kulturstudier is now calling for VNUK-ers to join the Norwegian students in the upcoming fall semester 2024. The opportunity for a unique “study abroad in Vietnam” experience is wide open – are you ready for a semester of exploration and unforgettable memories?
Follow the VNUK Global fanpage tại đây to learn more details.
