Learning about Vietnamese culture has helped to open my eyes to the outside world, and specifically Asia. It is exciting to learn of all of the similarities and differences between Vietnamese and American cultures, to not only learn more about Vietnam and Asian cultures, but also to be able to better understand the United States and its culture. One aspect of Vietnamese culture that I find particularly interesting is their structure as a collective society. Mutual support in Vietnam is extremely important, much more so than in the United States where we live in a more individualistic society. In this collective society in Vietnam, family is of the upmost importance, and the goal for many Vietnamese is to grow up and bring honor upon their families. In the United States, while some people do act in ways to honor their families, it is more common for people to care about themselves, and to act out of their own self-interest. In a professional job atmosphere, I imagine both countries will function in accordance with these societal structures. I am used to working more on my own than with others, and imagine in Vietnam, work will be done in more of a group format. Working with, and relying on others is an important skill, one that I believe will be tested throughout my time working in Vietnam. Another difference between the two countries is that Vietnam places a higher value on being able to adapt to change. This adaptability has helped Vietnam grow very quickly economically, and will be very interesting to examine up close in a work environment.
While the cultures of Vietnam and the United States are not the same, there are some overlaps that I believe will help aid me during my time in Vietnam. Both countries have an inherent interest in putting aside the past to be able to move towards a better future. Specifically, both countries have been able to put aside the differences that came to a point with the Vietnam war, and work with each other on a global level. Currently, Vietnam exports more to the United States than any other country. Following the war this would have been very unlikely with the United States imposing a trade embargo on Vietnam. This ability to move forward despite many differences, highlights the importance both countries place on their respective economies, something I believe will be evident during my time in Vietnam. I am excited to see how Vietnam is culturally similar and different to what I have come to expect from learning more about the country. A theoretical knowledge of Vietnamese culture is important, but is no substitution to experiencing how Vietnamese culture affects everyday life while living in Vietnam.
UF in Vietnam Internship 