I extend my heartfelt words of gratitude to SEAMEO for the incredible opportunity presented through the Student Exchange Program in Vietnam. This experience has been nothing short of transformative, shaping not only my academic and professional growth but also my worldview.
Words of Gratitude
To Dong Thap University and the faculty, thank you for all of your kindness and generosity. You are such fine hosts to your guests, I am beyond grateful and honored to be one of the delegates and I got to experience everything. Mr. Truc, thank you for being a kind father figure to all of us, you are always one call away indeed. Mr. Tien, thank you for always checking up on us and making sure we're doing great. Lastly, Miss Mai, you are by far the coolest Professor ever, thank you for being such a good sister/teacher/Mom to all of us. Your hospitality will forever be engraved in my heart.
To Future School, I am so grateful for your warmest welcome to all of us and I am honored that you trust us with your students. Even though it's just for a short moment. The students were always kind and polite, I'm thankful to be able to interact with them and build a connection. I will treasure my first experience teaching at your prestigious school and especially my first babies (students) at Future School, Teacher Julia will miss you loads.
To the University of Mindanao- Tagum College, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support you have provided throughout our Student Exchange Program in Vietnam. Your assistance and encouragement have played a pivotal role in making this experience truly remarkable.
To Sir Armand James Vallejo, who made all of this possible, the opportunity to participate in the exchange program has broadened my horizons, enriched my cultural understanding, and allowed me to forge lifelong friendships with students from around the world. I am immensely grateful for the chance you have given me.
To our Dong Thap University Buddies: Thai, Italia, Tina, Sirt, Pink, Fracey, Ann, Snow Moon, etc... I am beyond grateful to all of you, you sacrificed a lot of things, even your personal schedules just so that you can accompany us and to make sure we are safe every day. I will miss Thai's American accent, Italia's British accent, Tina and Sirt's fluency in Chinese, Pink and Fracey's lovely smiles and pretty faces, Ann's thoughtfulness and gorgeous eyes, and Snow Moon's graceful demeanor. I will treasure our memories together and my first experience of opening up to a new set of people.
To my fellow delegates: Indonesian Peeps (Tia, Angga, Alya, Rifka, EZ, Salma, and Naufal), Filipino Peeps (Ella, Ram, Ate K, Cielo, Irish, and Edrian), and the Lao Peeps thank you for the shared experiences and newfound friendships. Even for such a short time, I know that the connection was real and I firmly believe that we are one, like a family, united despite our diverse cultures. And to this beautiful land, thank you for opening your heart to me. I will treasure my first experience of crying with people around (LOL) and opening up to random strangers who now hold an important part of my heart.
To my loved ones, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering support and encouragement you have provided throughout my Student Exchange Program in Vietnam. Your love and belief in me have made this journey not only possible but also incredibly enriching. Your emotional support, reassuring words, and constant encouragement were the ones that held me up during both the highs and lows of this adventure. Whether it was the time zone differences or academic challenges, knowing that I had your unwavering support was a source of immense strength. I love you so much, guys!
Thank you God for keeping us safe throughout our journey, I couldn't have done it without you.
This journey was a reminder of how travel can transform us and connect us to the world in the most profound ways. Vietnam, you've left an indelible mark on my heart, and I'm forever grateful for the 21 days of pure joy and warmth.
From our first Xin chào (Hello) to our last Tạm biệt (Goodbye). Until we meet again, Vietnam! 🙌❤️