Category: Carlos

Last weekend in Vietnam is towards its end. Two months felt for a moment like a lot of time, but know, I wish I could stay more. Despite the traveling and the excellent work experience, I definitely feel that this was not enough time to truly explore this amazing culture.

Regarding my work experience, I feel lucky for my opportunity. Being at such a great company that does something I found passion for, represented a lot of motivation. This translated in a fulfilling experience that led to exceptional personal growth. Being in a completely different culture helped improving my communication, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills significantly. My networking reached another level as I managed to create meaningful connections that resulted in more responsibility, more feedback and appraisals. On the other hand, despite growing in certain areas, there are some details that can be further improved. My time management for example was better as I was busier and busier as the days went by. Managing work, attending networking events and traveling did require good organization, but still sometimes I found myself stressed with many things to do at once.

Overall, I take with me many more positives things than negative. Creating contacts, interacting with people from different cultures and learning so much about blockchain technology helped me shape my vision and discover a new passion. As I developed as a professional, I also found a more specific goal for me regarding what role I wish to develop. This truly benefits me and my career path as I can focus more on details, certain topics and gaining deeper knowledge to prepare myself to thrive on the market I want to be in.

From this amazing experience, I take with me the cultural variety of Saigon, the numerous people I connected with, the knowledge I gained through all the research and the friends I made on this trip that are going back to the US with me to attend UF next semester and be my fellow Gators! The latter was a significant one as I did not know anybody from this big group. Showing how fulfilling going abroad can be and how can it change your life.

Many were the learnings, accomplished goals and experiences through this internship. Entering the last week, the time of look back (only to analyze personal performance) has come. Some personal goals, like expanding my network, were met. Other goals were just set along the way. But, for me, the moment I felt most proud of myself was during a networking event during a conversation with a C-Level executive.

Despite having grown this past 7 weeks and see improvements on involvement, problem solving and task development, impressing this executive made me feel the proudest. Approaching people during networking events can be tricky sometimes, as it can happen smoothly without need for unnatural efforts. In this case, I started talking to guy that was just arriving the event and was starting to set himself in a table. The first thing I learned is that he is half Vietnamese and half US citizen. Working in investment banking, this person rapidly showed plenty of knowledge in several economics, politics and social topics. One woman approached us and joined the conversation. When I said I work in a blockchain company, both were very interested in knowing more about this technology. That’s when the question came up and I felt like I was not prepared for it. I only had 2 weeks working in this company and was still learning what the projects were about. He asked me how the company planned on making money. After maybe 10 min, I finished with my answer and because of his look I was expecting him to not believe one word I said. Then, he just told me how people always go around the bush when talking about the topic and blockchain in general and finally said that I was the first person who actually gave him a proper and concise answer.

In regards of accomplishments, this was a personal accomplishment for me as it gave me plenty of confidence, which translated in positive changes in my internship performance and results. One of my biggest accomplishments was receiving the responsibility of editing and creating official documents for the company’s website. Also, I managed to link to prospective clients to the company through networking. Which helped receiving more and more confidence from my supervisors on more important tasks.

Life in HCMC has been something else for sure. The environment, culture and people have all bring remarkable experiences and have combined to help me see outside of the bubble. Moreover, this has help me emphasize more my international approach when it comes for professional goals. I feel more confident on how I want to keep learning about new cultures, travel and someday work at a different continent.

As much as attracts people’s attention, the word “blockchain” sometimes repeals people. I learned that during a networking event this week. Either I had amazing results or people just started saying that Bitcoin is a scam. Well, let me just start by saying that Bitcoin and Blockchain are not the same. A simple explanation could be that Bitcoin is to blockchain what email is to internet.

Blockchain is a system that is used by Bitcoin, an application. IBL uses this technology and looks to implement it in everyday operations through many projects. Including the one I have been assigned to, called GINAR. It is a random number generator used to provide fairness in games that require, well, randomness. For example, online poker; where a lot of people play with the feeling they are being cheated by the host or other players. Besides iGaming and Gambling, this project aims for the Banking sector too as well as Lotteries. To better understand how this project can succeed, I provide a brief analysis:

STRENGTHS

• Pioneers in many fields
• Introducing this technology in different presentations
• Provides fairness and transparency in a field where cheating is abundant
• Strong reputation in the technical matter

WEAKNESSES

• Need for bigger marketing team to extend reach
• Cultural and interspeaker differences
• Unable to link GNAR to more popular interactive games

OPPORTUNITIES

• Generate exposure at poker tournaments
• New technology with high customer interest
• Gaming is an endless and growing industry

THREATS

• Corruption in gambling market from actual host
• Cryptocurrency reputation can affect the company
• Government regulations

Being involved with this company has brought fulfilling experiences. But, so far, the most amazing moment during my time at Ho Chi Minh has been looking at the city’s most impressive buildings from the top of a high-scale penthouse. This, while sharing a conversation with people from France, England and Germany for example. One of them being the owner of every education building in Vietnam. That experience made me realize even more about the opportunities that this rising economy and fascinating country offer.

At the beginning of my internship, I felt excited about learning more about Blockchain technology. Knowing that Infinity Blockchain Labs does not relies on cryptocurrency motivated me. They try to implement Blockchain technology in everyday operations, so people can find use for it and realize how important it can be. 

After a couple of weeks, I was requested to search for use cases. Going into details about this technology can be demanding, as there are plenty of concepts to learn in order to explain how to apply solutions to customer needs. Despite of this challenge, this represented an opportunity to show how my understanding of Blockchain has developed. Also, to create new ways of applying our product to companies everyday operations and help expand our market opportunities.

Dealing with professionals from this culture has made things differently. Also, having such a mixed workspace, counting with people from Europe and several parts of Asia. This has definitely helped improve my communication skills and expand my network. This differentiates from previous experiences as this people are focused on other things, have another level of knowledge and they all share the same goal.

But not everything is work here in Vietnam. I cannot stress enough how much I have enjoyed food. The spiciness is something delicious. Choosing a favorite among all these dishes is not fair. But, as hard as it is, I think I will finish this with my favorite dish so far: Beef stew noodles (and a side of shrimp rolls)!”

As the days went by, blending in the office has become a smoother process. This week we enjoyed the “All Hands” meeting. Which they do every couple of months. It involved introduction of new team members (including us Florida Gators Interns), expectations for employees, news about the company and a couple of videos from different departments. One of the videos actually included me. 

In the middle of a workday, some people were going around filming activities and I was actually asked to record and scene. Doing it wasn’t as funny as watching it later during that meeting where all the company was watching. The event went great and I was part of games and won a prize. They conducted an identity contest where each department had to decorate their space and they gave away many prizes during the event too. 

The best part was that we had delicious food afterwards. Which was the second time during the week as earlier my department had a small party to celebrate that one of the technicians was accepted for a Masters program in Mathematics. Even though I have tried a lot of different food, there was something new to try this time. It was a whole chicken fried with a crust of rice. It was amazing, as my experience so far in Vietnam and Infinity Blockchain Labs.”

After spending my second week at my internship with Infinity Blockchain Labs, I have learned so much and becoming involved with the company. During this second week I had the chance to meet the CEO, who resulted to be a great person. As I settle in the company, I have made connections with people in different departments. I think that is one of the key aspects of this experience, to network and build relations.

Another factor that helped practicing networking skills was our business event with CRCC Asia. We had keynote speakers who represented some of the companies that people from the program are interning with. IBL was one of them, leading me to establish a meaningful conversation with the head of HR. Hopefully that helps getting involved in more projects as the status of my company as a fast-growing entity has required me to spend the first couple of weeks doing mostly research. Being a new intern makes me one to impress the most, which could seem difficult if not involved in important decisions and projects. But I have made the most of it and developed deep and well-organized reports that lead to recognition from two of my supervisors and a future meeting with a prospective client this week.

Traveling wise, some people went to a small beach town and an even smaller group went to Malaysia for a quick peek. I decided to rest and attend a soccer match with people from my company, you know, networking opportunity. There is already a trip planned for the first week of July, so I will just see this as a battery charging weekend.

Overall, Saigon is full of opportunities, but as a fast pace city, you must have a “go for it” mentality or time will go by you really quick. I already feel like I have been here for months. And, as much as I feel like I miss home and have already done so much here, I am sure that when time comes for me to leave, I will feel like I needed more time from this place.”

That’s a wrap for the second week in Vietnam; a week that brought even bigger changes as I can now see first hand how the Vietnamese business world works. Also, it took me to a new beach town called Mui Ne.

My internship is with a company called Infinity Blockchain Labs (IBL). As the name suggests, this is a Blockchain company. What I liked the most is the fact that is not focused just in Cryptocurrency. IBL looks to penetrate different markets by developing products that go from eWallets (Infinito), traceability systems (Wowtrace), identity verifier (Blockpass) and the product that I am assigned to in the Business Development department, Ginar.

Ginar is an RNG (Random Number Generator) aiming for the gambling and iGaming industries. This product provides secure randomization and verifiability. Something that will lower the costs of hosts like online casinos due to the fact they spend considerable money on verifying results when there is a winner of big pools. 

As of my first day in the company, I recommend just have a “go for it” mindset. There is nothing to lose in this experience. In fact, the mental stress that we put in ourselves is unnecessary. Vietnamese people appreciate international students and make you feel welcome from day 1. As my first week went by, I felt like I had a month already at the company. From the people in my same department to the CEO, the Vietnamese showcased an embracing, humble and positive attitude. 

The company has 300+ employees in between the branches located in Thailand, Singapore and Saigon, but the structure transmits a sense of freedom as the company is aiming for expansion. 80% of the company’s staff are technicians, providing big opportunities for me as part of the development area of the company. 

Coming to Vietnam already feels like the best decisions, so I encourage you to get out pf your comfort zone and live whatever experience you can get.”

First week in Vietnam has been beyond my expectations. Cultural week was the best possible way to get a jump start on this amazing culture. Ho Chi Min city feels like the right place to be as it makes you feel welcome and amazes you in many ways.

From all the activities done during this first week, including visiting temples, markets, palaces and even war tunnels and jungle bunkers, learning about how the soldiers lived in those bunkers through the war was the most impressive and nurturing experience. Cu Chi tunnels were amazing as we had the opportunity to go through them. We only went through 30mts long tunnels, but soldiers used to go through KMs of tunnels while being bombarded. The size of these tunnels does not allow you to go back. So, no room for claustrophobia in there.

Despite of the research done before arriving to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh), this city impressed me as it provides colonial, rural and modern scenarios all in one. The number of cultural places, activities like Black Lady Mountain hiking and the culinary options everywhere are just as good as if you were in the most exclusive part of the city. People are always kind no matter where you are. Providing a sense of comfort and hospitality that has no price. Moreover, the lower cost of life in Ho Chi Minh is something that allows you to enjoy the street food everyday without hurting the pocket that much. The supermarket is a different scenario, where prices bring you back to Earth. But, the diversity and quality of the products make it totally worth it.

One week has felt as a month of activities so far. Despite the internship has not even started yet, Saigon feels like a great location to base yourself at. And two months is already feeling like not enough time to really enjoy and appreciate this amazing culture.

For me, my trip to Vietnam would be fulfilled after finding the answers to:

1. Is Ha Long Bay bioluminescent water comparable to Aurora boreal?
2. How much do really people in North Vietnam embrace American culture?
3. How is the working life in Saigon?
4. What is the most impressive destination in Vietnam?
5. How does Ho Chi Minh mommy look like?

I am completely sure that as days go by, more questions will arise and hopefully answers will too. For now, just having one week in Vietnam, I can highly recommend living this experience. Which I hope my journal makes justice to!

Coming into the first official week of the UF in Vietnam program I had conducted some research already about the country. Going to the other side of the world is something that for sure has not completely get to me yet, so I must do my best to prepare for this very new and exciting experience. Despite all of the expectations I was still amazed by the rich and ancient history the Southeast state has to offer. 

Out of the things discussed during our lectures, what impressed me the most is how their culture has embraced the post-war times and switched from a communist country with a very old population, struggling economically and relying from practically only agriculture, to a young and vibrant country that accepts and practices Capitalism more and more as the days go by. Becoming a reflection of the country’s new infrastructure, values and economic development. Despite its rapid economic growth, Vietnam is still seeking ways to support and maintain this growth rate. As only exports, which are big regarding the United States, will not hold on forever.

Product of the Capitalism, seen mostly in big cities like Ho Chi Minh (Saigon as the population prefers to call it), you can see similarities in both cultures. Vietnam used to be a place where people were actually ashamed by their wealth or goods. As explained in an example in one of the articles read in our first week of the program. This example talked about a female entrepreneur who used to hide her BMW when having coworkers as her guests at home. Nevertheless, now it has become a society where visitors can encounter luxury shops in exclusive malls, people riding expensive cars and so on. This particular aspect of the Vietnamese culture will make adapting a little bit easier as the change in the living environment will not be so dramatic. Also, these cultural changes will reflect in the mindset of the companies and their workforce. It becomes a perfect time to arrive at Saigon as we will find a mix of the old culture and the new and rising one. Which will for sure embrace our thoughts, nurture our careers and help us expand our skill set from a warm welcome to a positive and successful closure of the program.