As my time here in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam comes to a close, what I’ll remember most are the characteristics of the people. From Day 1, we were welcomed with open arms and warm smiles. People cracked jokes, teased each other playfully, and radiated a kind of kindness that felt both genuine and effortless. Even when UEF (University of Economics and Finance) students interacted with one another, I often assumed they were long-time friends—but more often than not, they had just met. That stood out to me. With all of this in mind, one of the biggest lessons I’m taking with me is the importance of genuine kindness. A small smile, a terrible pun, a light-hearted joke, these seemingly small things can make someone’s day.

From our many company site visits, I also noticed a common theme: soft skills are essential. For me, that means continuing to develop kindness and also focusing on active listening, a skill I’ve been trying to strengthen for a while. Vietnam is full of sound: from the ambulance sirens to the motorbikes buzzing by, it’s a sensory experience. Amid that noise, I’ve practiced tuning in—not just hearing, but listening—especially when asking questions and paying close attention to people’s responses. That habit has helped me learn so much more than I would have if I were distracted or rushing to ask the next question. Active listening is something I’ll carry into the rest of my academic journey at Pitt at beyond. It will help me ask better, deeper follow-up questions and allow me to connect more meaningfully with others, whether in a classroom, during group projects, or future internships.

Today is our last day, and while I’m sad to leave this beautiful country, I know it’s not goodbye. As cheesy as it sounds, I will be back. Maybe not next year, maybe not for decades—but Vietnam has left a mark. So instead of “goodbye,”, for me it’s “see you later”!