Author: marielbalo

Written by Allie Perkins, GMBA Class of 2018

I’ve been in Vietnam only three days and I’m already excited about my next trip to this amazing country. With its friendly inhabitants, incredible street food, bustling streets, and beautiful architecture, it’s easy to see why people come and never leave. I am surprised at how seamless the adjustment has been to a place so different than anywhere else I’ve traveled. Many Vietnamese people do not speak English, and if they do, their vocabulary is small. Despite this, traveling throughout both Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, ordering food (even as a vegetarian), and exploring the must-see sights has been a breeze. I’ve found that travel by foot is by far the best way to experience HCM and Hanoi; it allows me to place my finger on the strong pulse of the city life, however, an Uber is a reliable second bet should your feet tire of hopping over cobble stones or weaving through the millions of motorcycles that inhabit the busy streets. Word to the wise - when crossing the street, keep moving at a steady pace, the motorcycles and cars will go around you, but should you attempt to dodge them, you might find yourself the victim of a pile-up, and it might be hard to use chopsticks if you’re incapacitated.

Thus far, I’ve experienced Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, which I would call the New York and DC of Vietnam, respectively. Each offers something unique, but I think Hanoi is my favorite location. The city itself is more than a thousand years old, and the character of the ancient temples and universities, the street food vendors cooking traditional Vietnamese cuisine on jam-packed streets, and new, modern builds scattered throughout the city make it something truly special. With every turn unfolds another classic temple, old Vespa, cobblestone alleyway, and chance to eat a delicious bowl of pho or recharge with a Vietnamese coffee. The whole city, including its street roosters and chickens, feels so alive.

The friendliness and emphasis on superior customer service can be seen in the business environment as well, though my experience in-country has been limited thus far. Despite this, there is an obvious emphasis on courteousness and treating others with the utmost respect. In order to be successful, trust must be established and maintained between both parties. While these characteristics may seem obvious, there are special nuances to every interaction, from ordering food at a restaurant, to speaking with a concierge, to working with our client, all of which would have gone unnoticed had we continued this project in the comforts of DC. I feel so fortunate to be able to finalize our work in Vietnam where I have the opportunity to step back and observe, ask questions, and explore two truly incredible cities.

Feature photo: Old Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City
In text image: Old Quarter in Hanoi

Written by Allie Perkins, Global MBA class of 2018

I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel to many parts of the world in previous professional and personal capacities, and once wanderlust sets in, I’ve found that it’s nearly impossible to shake. Thanks to GW, I have had more than one opportunity to visit a foreign country and engage closely with and be a part of its culture while bolstering some of the global business and consulting skills I’ve attained during my MBA program. When I heard about the Short Term Abroad Trip to Vietnam, I knew that it would be a chance to learn about an entirely new culture in a corner of the world I haven’t been able to visit.

Traveling to Asia has been on the top of my travel bucket list for a number of years. I’ve looked on enviously as friends and former colleagues traipse through its numerous ancient cities, swim in its beautiful oceans, and explore the other natural beauty that flows throughout all of its many countries. However, what I am most excited about, is the chance to interact with a new culture in a new environment and (hopefully) help solve a challenge for a real business that lives and breathes in Vietnam. When I traveled to Cape Town South Africa for my Consulting Abroad Project last May, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed learning about the cultural complexities and nuances that affected business in the region; it changed my entire view on the country. I hope to have the same experience in Vietnam.

I am consulting with a nascent business that organizes a highly successful food festival in both Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. This year, Ho Chi Minh had over 60,000 visitors eager to experience and be a part of the soul of Vietnam. So often, food is the bridge between people, languages, and cultures. Its representative of what people value, their social norms, and how they engage and interact with each other and the world they live in. I am thrilled to be working with such a great team on a unique and fulfilling project

I chose to study at GW because of its emphasis on global business and bridging the misunderstandings that oceans and languages and borders cause. Because of the projects I’ve been a part of with global organizations, I have a much deeper understanding of the complexities of doing business abroad and/or with businesses and clients of different cultures. It is so important to be conscious of these nuances in order to be successful. I look forward to my time in Vietnam as I hope to grow my understanding of doing business in another part of the world and further my goal of becoming a global citizen.

Photo credit: BBC Travel, http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20170317-living-in-h-ch-minh-city