CET has cultivated partnerships with many local organizations and worked together with them to design a service learning experience that allows for extensive interaction with the local community. Participating in a CET service learning placement allows students to:
Have additional opportunities to practice and refine growing language skills
Deepen understanding of Vietnamese culture and society
Learn more about and practice skills needed for working collaboratively in a regional and a global context
Strengthen capacity for cross-cultural understanding and communication
Form valuable relationships with local persons and organizations
Contribute in a positive way to the host community
Many past CET students have said that the time they spent with their placement was one of the most valuable aspects of their study abroad experience. Especially, it allows for a level of interaction and practical experience that it is hard to achieve in the traditional classroom, and thus supplements and complements CET's rigorous academic program very well.
If students choose to complete a formal service learning placement with one of CET's existing partners, they will be given pass/no-pass credit on their final transcript. In order to receive a "pass" for a placement, the following requirements must be completed:
Submit a resume, cover letter and complete an placement interview with prospective organization
Establish a regular work schedule with your organization
Work at placement location for a minimum of 6 hours per week
Receive positive feedback about your reliability, attendance, and contribution to the organization from the participating partner (in the form of a midterm and final review)
Complete a midterm and final placement experience evaluation
Participate in periodic group meetings to discuss placement progress and issues
Complete biweekly updates on your placement
Write a 3-5 page final essay upon completion of placement, due to CET office by 5 p.m. on the final day of the program
Students should consider carefully their semester schedules before choosing to participate in an service learning placement, and before deciding upon their weekly work schedules. Service learning placements are a big responsibility and a great privilege, and CET's partners work hard to develop placements for students, and will expect students to remain faithful to their placement commitments throughout the course of the semester.
Past students have had the opportunity for service
learning at the following organizations. We do our best to match each
student's needs with the organization's needs. Because CET cannot
guarantee that a student will work with a specific organization, we
encourage students to think of a type of organization with which they are
interested in working. CET students are also
encouraged to look into more "non-traditional" internship
opportunities, such as working in a local shop or café, or exploring
other areas of interest in Vietnamese social and cultural life.
Peace Village at Tu Du Hospital This
is a center for children with Agent Orange related afflictions.Volunteers at this location most likely
work together as a group together with Vietnamese volunteers organizing games,
art activities, and possibly group outings for the children and teenagers
living at the center.
ENDA ENDA stands for "Environment and Development in
Action."This organization is an internationally-based but locally-run NGO concerned with integrated community
development and environmental projects.
Triangle Center The
Triangle Center is a French-based NGO linked with the local Vietnamese Ministry
of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. The Center works with disadvantaged youth (many former street kids from
local shelters,) teaching them waiting, restaurant management and
cooking/baking skills.
Sao Mai and Thien Am Schools for the Blind This position involves teaching conversational English
to blind teenagers and adults. This
computer school is a drop-in center for blind persons, where they can come
learn IT and use ITfacilities that are designed for their use.
Thao Dan Center This shelter is a shelter for street children - all boys,
ranging in ages from 7 to 16. The shelter focuses
on short-term intervention and tries to reunite street boys with their
families.
Action Aid Vietnam Action
Aid Vietnam is an internationally-based, locally-run (almost 100% localized)
NGO that specializes in public health and educational initiatives throughout
the country.
Phap Hoa Pagoda This pagoda operates a free traditional medicine clinic.
Friends For Street
Children FFSC is a Catholic-based organization affiliated with the
local Association for Religious Affairs.They have projects in many local shelters for street children, as well
as running an IT center and drop-in English classes for disadvantaged
youth.
Green Bamboo
Shelter The Green Bamboo Shelter is a shelter for boys aged 7-18,
who are either former street children or come from extremely disadvantaged
families, under the auspices of the Ho Chi Minh City Child Welfare
Foundation.The shelter assists the boys
enroll in local schools, get vocational training, and when appropriate will try
to re-integrate them with their families.
Little Rose Shelter This shelter is dedicated to rescuing young women who are
either at-risk for, or have already experienced, sexual exploitation.The shelter assists in psychological
rehabilitation, vocational training, and the girls' re-integration with
society.
Project Future Project Future is a project
office dedicated to assisting street children and children from especially
disadvantaged families. In addition to
health check-ups and psychological counseling, they also run a year-long Basic
English class.
1920 N Street, NW, Suite 200 - Washington, DC 20036 - (800) 225-4262 - cet@academic-travel.com