ULV students explore Asia during Interterm
Campus Times
February 13, 1998
During January, a group of communication students ventured to a part
of Asia for two and a half weeks, earning four units of credit and an unforgettable
experience.
The group of students departed from La Verne and headed to Thailand
and Vietnam, where they spent 19 days learning about Vietnam's history as
well as meeting with journalism officials at Bangkok's Associated Press
office.
Freshman international student Michael Anklin, an undeclared major considering
the fields of journalism or history, was among those who participated in
the trip. Anklin, an international student from Switzerland, visited Vietnam
to experience the country's past.
"From a historical standpoint, I learned a lot about North Vietnam.
I learned what it was like," Anklin said.
The trip proved successful for the students because of inner growth.
According to Nune Gazdhyan, a freshman journalism major, she also went to
Vietnam with an open mind and with little expectations. Upon her return,
she reflects her expectations were surpassed by the "great" experiences.
"Curiosity [inspired me to go]. I've always enjoyed being around
other people. I had to forget about my ideas and go with an open mind,"
said Gazdhyan.
An open mind and a "positive attitude" allowed Gazdhyan and
Anklin the opportunity to tolerate the culture shock once they arrived in
Vietnam.
"I was not used to the beggars and the children asking you to buy
gum and post cards from them," said Anklin.
The experience was different because the "poor people" in
Vietnam were "more aggressive," according to Gazdhyan.
Dr. George Keeler, department chair of communications, planned the trip
in conjunction with Randy Miller, public relations adjunct professor, and
Ken Brown, professor of peace studies at Manchester College, Ind. Fourteen
students from Manchester College and 11 from ULV attended the trip.
According to Dr. Keeler, the fall semester called for "constant
preparation by the faculty." The difficulties were augmented by political,
technological and convenience obstacles.
Vietnam, still a Communist economy, "did not have reliable email
or fax machine contact to make reservations. Since travelers checks weren't
readily accepted in parts of the country, the faculty leaders carried up
to $3,500 cash on their persons to pay the bills," said Dr. Keeler.
The money was used to pay for lodging, eating expenses and other necessities
on the trip. Planning an educational interdisciplinary theme for the trip
proved a challenge since students from different universities were participating.
According to Dr. Keeler, there were three educational angles: The first
carried an emphasis on media study. The group had many formal meetings with
media dignitaries in Vietnam and Thailand who spoke to this theme from the
perspective of the war years and post war recovery.
The Manchester group was made up largely of peace study majors-a combination
of philosophy and religion-and emphasized on the American War and Vietnam's
recovery.
"Vietnam was the perfect place for this interdisciplinary study,"
Dr. Keeler said. "The two subjects meshed beautifully. We had exceptionally
bright and inquisitive students on this trip who kept asking the question,
"Why?" The third, and perhaps the most powerful experience for
the students was experiencing culture in another country. "Vietnam
has been torn apart by many wars but has a rich and proud heritage, he said.
Quyen Nguyen, a ULV junior, participated in the trip with more background
information than the rest of the students. Nguyen, of Vietnamese descent,
traveled to her village 70 miles north of Saigon with the group and learned
a great deal about the people and her culture.
There, Nguyen visited her grandmother's grave and led a commemoration
service with 200 people beside her.
"People were happy to see me, but the most special one was my grandmother,"
said Nguyen.
The difference in her village contrasting the past and today is clearly
visible for Nguyen.
"My village has changed rapidly, more than I thought," she
said. Nguyen also became reacquainted with the villagers who knew her; they,
in turn, were attentive to her and the group and hosted a banquet in their
honor.
The trip also "took me to a deeper side of the war," she said.
During the touring of the war sites, many students "had a difficult
time escaping [their] emotions," said Nguyen.
The growth experienced by the students was revealed toward the end of
the trip. After becoming numb to the continuous beggars at their side, the
group became "rude" and "annoyed," as Anklin put it.
According to Dr. Keeler, "the mood changed from tolerance to no
tolerance" after a member of the group was pick-pocketed.
The member of the contingent was from Pennsylvania, and when he was
holding his front pant pocket with his wallet inside when the group was
divided by two teenagers. In one swift move, the wallet was stolen, along
with the $400 in it.
The news stung the group to the point where "the group wanted them
[the beggars and sellers] to stay away," said Dr. Keeler.
The experience of visiting the My Lai massacre site on its 30th anniversary
year aroused different emotions of guilt and frustration with the group.
However, if the whole trip experience were to be summed up in two words,
it would be described as a "humanizing experience," said Dr. Keeler.
