The travelling has also been a real highlight. I went to Ninh Binh my first weekend here, that was fantastic! I also went to Hai Phong with WUSC staff, it was a cold day but I still had fun. I’ve also been to Sapa and Ha Long Bay both trips were amazing and a great adventure. I also came back from Ninh Binh again this past weekend with WUSC staff and saw the biggest Buddha in South East Asia and some beautiful temples, I was very impressed.

The food here is also incredible! I love eating Banh My which is fried egg in a French bun or you can get it with kebab. I also love the Vietnamese coffee it’s very strong and sweet. They also have amazing fruit drinks here you can get avocado smoothies or even apple custard. The fish here is really tasty, I don’t normally like fish but I get it here every chance I can. I also like the way people eat here, it is very common to eat family style and share everything and have a bowl of rice with it. There’s a lot of new food to try, but the best is the cheap food that you get on the street. Someone once told me the lower the chairs the lower the prices, I think that’s pretty accurate.

The Vietnamese people I have met so far have all been wonderful and friendly. They are always willing to give me advice or teach me something I didn’t know. I was invited over to a work colleague’s house over Tet (the Chinese New Year). It was fun to see how they celebrated, a lot of eating and drinking and talking. I’ve met a few expats while I have been here they are also fun to hang out with because they too will have similar frustrations.

I find the culture here very fascinating from what people value to their day to day lives. I think that the Vietnamese people are very hard working. They have family values that are very important to them and I think that the majority seem happy in this chaotic city life. Although the city seems chaotic it’s fun and has its’ own charm.

I’m looking forward to the rest of my time in Vietnam, especially mid March when I will go down South to Ho Chi Minh City and get some sun!

My name is Rebecca Haynes, and I am a student attending University of Victoria in Canada. I grew up in British Columbia, Canada with my mom, dad, and sister Jennifer. After high school, I decided to do a year abroad and become an au pair in Paris. After that I came back to Victoria and got my diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management. From there I was able to go into my third year in Business Commerce at the University of Victoria. I am now doing my exchange term in Oslo, Norway at the Norwegian School of Business Management. This opportunity has given me the chance to experience a different culture, study at a distinguished business university, and travel around Europe.

             I have always had a passion for travelling, experiencing new cultures, and meeting interesting and unique people in those different countries. This among other reasons is why I decided to apply for Students Without Borders. I also wanted the opportunity to volunteer. WUSC seemed like a great opportunity, and I liked how it focused on providing quality education for all children, and how to overcome local challenges.  I felt that with he position as Program Assistant I could apply what I have learned from my university background and put my skills and knowledge into action. Hopefully, I will also learn and take away a great deal while I am there, and gain a better understanding of the Vietnamese culture and way of life. I am very excited to go on this adventure of a lifetime.  I hope to meet some amazing people, and make a positive impact in the community.