Back from a trip to Asia, President Brian Murphy and Dean of Language Arts John Swensson returned to De Anza College with a new sister college and an invitation for students to experience Vietnam this summer.

A month ago Murphy and Swensson ventured on a trip to three Asian cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Beijing.

In Beijing the two administrators signed an agreement making the Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology an official De Anza sister college.

While in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the administrators were successful in signing agreements with other institutions.

Murphy said he is looking forward to stronger collaborations between De Anza and these insti- tutions.

“We met some remarkable men and women in some fine institutions,” said Murphy. “We were really impressed with the students we met.”

They said their experience was productive, and in light of the situation, both Murphy and Swensson encourage students to take part in De Anza’s Study Abroad program in Vietnam this summer.

“In order to benefit our students we are immediately putting this short trip together,” said Swensson.

The program offers four classes: International Studies 11, English Literature 10, International Studies 5 and Political Science 3. Students have the opportunity to choose two of the classes, earning eight units.

All the classes will be taught by De Anza Sociology Professor Vu-Duc Vuong and will start on July 16 and end August 12.

The first week of class will be held at De Anza and the rest will be held in Vietnam.

Students will stay at the University of Hanoi for one week meeting English speaking students from the university.

During the second week in Vietnam, students will travel with Professor Vuong to the downtown City of Hanoi, experiencing multiple attractions, including Ha Long Bay, a famous scenic area filled with hundreds of islands.

The third week of class, students will meet business and religious leaders in Ho Chi Minh City.

Students will also experience the countryside, which is known to be the agricultural area of Vietnam as well as the most stricken by poverty.

In a period of three weeks, Vuong is certain that students will not only get to see another world, but will have a changed perception of life.

“I have seen that traveling abroad changes the way we look at the world. I’ve experienced this myself and have seen many students really change as well,” he said.

Vuong also explains that experiencing other cultures is a gate- way in understanding people so they may learn to empathize with them.

The Study Abroad Program is still taking applications and will be awarding five scholarships. For more information contact Vu-Duc Vuong at [email protected].