American students explore Vietnam via exchange programme in ULIS
	Vietnamese, American, Lao Students Engage in Cultural Exchange

“People-to-people relations are the most precious”

On January 19 in Hanoi, students from George School (USA) met with host families in Hanoi under the “homestay” program. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Speaking with VietnamTimes Magazine, Croucher Benjamin James stated that the greatest value of the exchange program lies in fostering connections between the people of the two countries. According to him, George School has long encouraged students to take part in international study and experiential programs, helping them realize that despite cultural differences, people around the world can form meaningful friendships. In addition, gaining deeper insights into Vietnam’s history, art, and culture was also a key objective of the trip.

“One of our goals is to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese art and history, as well as how these values influence and shape contemporary cultural life. Therefore, the delegation’s activities focused on visiting museums and cultural and historical sites such as Bat Trang Pottery Village and the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, thereby helping students develop a more comprehensive view of Vietnam’s history, culture, and art,” Croucher said.

Croucher Benjamin James, Head of the History Department of George School (second row, far right), and students visit the Temple of Literature. (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewees)

After returning to the United States, the students will carry out a final project reflecting on their experiences, developing presentations and websites to share the knowledge they have gained about Vietnam with friends and the wider community, thereby contributing to the promotion of Vietnam’s image, culture, history, and people to the public.

According to Croucher, George School established relations and exchange programs with the Vietnam-USA Society (under the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations) in 1996 and was among the first US high schools to organize student delegations to Vietnam for exchange and study. “We are very proud to continue this tradition and hope to sustain the program in the years to come,” he said.

For the participating students, the trip was a journey of discovery, dialogue, and mutual understanding. Harry Degnan (Newtown Township, Pennsylvania) said he was particularly interested in Vietnam’s wartime history and the development of Vietnam-US relations. From a young age, Harry had heard many stories from his grandfather about the war in Vietnam, which motivated him to learn about the Vietnamese perspective firsthand.

“I have long wanted to come to Vietnam to better understand how Vietnamese people view the wartime period and the developments in US-Vietnam relations. I have truly enjoyed my time here, and everyone I have met has been very kind. I feel that relations between the two countries are now very positive,” Harry said.

During their time in Vietnam, Harry and his classmates visited Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh Province) and Mai Chau Commune (Phu Tho Province). Among these, the experiences in Mai Chau left him with many reflections, as he was introduced to traditional art forms, folk dances, and local handicrafts. According to him, witnessing how Vietnam’s traditional artistic values have evolved over time and continue to exist vividly in everyday life was a memorable experience.

Students from George School experience local culture in Mai Chau Commune (Phu Tho Province). (Photo: Courtesy of the interviewees)

Meanwhile, Charlotte Halbrick (Doylestown Township, Pennsylvania) said that the visit to Vietnam helped her gain a deeper understanding of the daily lives of local people. In Mai Chau, Charlotte and her classmates lived with villagers, learned about their daily routines, enjoyed traditional cuisine, and took part in volunteer activities such as road construction and concrete paving. She was impressed by the villagers’ diligence and skillfulness and expressed her happiness at being able to make a small contribution to improving life in the community.

Homestay - Cultural bridge built on experiences

During their stay in Hanoi (from January 19 to 23), the George School delegation expressed a desire to participate in a homestay program, creating opportunities for American students to directly experience daily life, culture, and interactions with Vietnamese families. This request received close coordination and support from the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, its member organizations, and Vietnamese host families. On the afternoon of January 19, in an open and warm atmosphere, representatives of six families living in Hanoi welcomed the American students into their homes for the duration of their stay.

In a friendly and cordial setting, representatives of Hanoi-based families met and received the American students into their homes. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Welcoming two American students to live with her family, Nguyen Thi Thuy (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Ward) said that her decision to take part in the program stemmed from a sense of hospitality and a desire to help international friends gain a better understanding of Vietnamese life and culture.

According to Thuy, her family had made plans to allow the students to experience the everyday rhythm of Hanoi life through family meals and daily activities. “Our family wants the students to enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes. I also plan to take them out for walks and visits to local eateries so they can feel the atmosphere of Hanoi,” she shared.

Nguyen Thi Thuy (center) said that her decision to join the program came from her hospitality and her wish to help international friends better understand Vietnamese life and culture. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Within the warm setting of family meals and heartfelt conversations, the American students had greater opportunities to engage naturally with Vietnamese life and people, thereby narrowing geographical and cultural distances. Beyond providing memorable experiences for George School students, the visit also contributed to strengthening mutual understanding, trust, and friendship between the people of Vietnam and the US. From Vietnamese homes and everyday connections, the spirit of people-to-people exchange continues to be nurtured, passing on to younger generations the responsibility of building and preserving cultural bridges for the future.

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