I would have never thought that I’d end up in Vietnam this summer, but I am so glad I did. It was truly an experience of a lifetime, filled with unforgettable memories and friendships. Though I learned so much academically about business operations and the business environment abroad, I learned so much more personally from the friends I met in Vietnam. Spending two weeks in a foreign culture seemed so intimidating to me at first; I was unsure of the people and environment there, though I knew the food was not going to disappoint me. However, after actually getting to know the students at the partnering university, I realized how nice and welcoming everybody in Vietnam was. The streets of Vietnam, as well, welcomed all of us with their delicious restaurants and fun stores. To be fairly honest, over the course of the trip, I did not experience language differences or homesickness at all; our days were filled with fun events and learning opportunities all carefully curated by the partnering university’s staff.

Where I saw myself grow personally the most was from our group’s visits to the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels, both of which displayed and preserved memories of the Vietnamese-American War, showing the gruesome moments of the war and reminding us of the tragic and terrible aftermaths of agent orange and other war weapons on the Vietnamese citizens. Seeing the artifacts and images of the victims struck hard on me. It was evident that Vietnam took on unbearable pain in the war that has affected its people even until now. Yet, since our trip here, our group has received nothing but kind and caring treatment from all the Vietnamese people. That was when I recognized the giant heart of the Vietnamese people, to be able to forgive the United States for the atrocities that it had committed, and even further, to love and treat Americans as their best friends. From realizing this, I understood the true power of resilience and forgiveness, and how empathy can bridge even the deepest divides. Witnessing the Vietnamese people’s ability to move forward while maintaining kindness and generosity inspired me to approach my own life with greater patience, understanding, and compassion. This lesson will stay with me, and my experience in Vietnam will forever be a reminder that I should always act with kindness to others, even if there had been a bad past between us.