Pitzer in Vietnam Summer Program
View of Hue, Vietnam
The Pitzer in Vietnam Summer Program is done in collaboration with Hue University. On the program students study Vietnamese language, history, culture, political structures, and environmental issues. Preparation for the program begins in Claremont during the spring semester when students participate in a virtual introduction to Vietnamese language; the virtual language tutorial provides students with the needed language foundation for the homestay and service components of the program. Students who already speak Vietnamese have the opportunity to join a large array of content courses taught in Vietnamese at Hue University. Through intensive Vietnamese language courses, a seminar on key topics, internships, and family stays, students explore this dynamic country gain an understanding of the life and culture of Vietnam.
Eligibility and Prerequisites
- Students must be in good academic standing and have a 2.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Students without a background in Vietnamese will take a 2-3 week online introductory course in the spring semester.
- This summer program is open to Pitzer and students from other undergraduate colleges
Program Dates
- Summer: Six weeks in Vietnam from late May to early July
Courses & Credits
| Course | Claremont Credits | Semester Credits |
| 1.0 | 4 |
| 1.0 | 4 |
| TOTALS | 2.0 | 8 |
Program Information
Core Course: Modern Vietnam
The course provides an overview of culture and society in Vietnam. It includes lectures by Hue University faculty and specialists from governmental and non-governmental organizations, site visits, along with assignments that allow students to explore a variety of topics in Vietnam. Topics in the class may include studying the legacy of colonialism, war and conflict in Vietnam, health care, ethnic minority communities, political structures, women’s issues, and environmental issues. At the end of the course students complete a capstone research project on a topic of their choice supervised by local experts. For Pitzer students this course will satisfy Pitzer’s Social Responsibility Praxis (SRX) requirement.
As part of their core course, all students will participate in an internship of six to eight hours per week for four weeks with a local non-profit organization. For students with lower levels of Vietnamese, there will be a multitude of possibilities to provide ESL tutoring with local public schools.
Intensive Language Study
Intensive Vietnamese is offered at the beginner level through Hue University. With a maximum of six students per teacher, the course employs a highly communicative, interactive curriculum that emphasizes both spoken and written Vietnamese and is closely connected to the family stay experience, the core course, and other field activities. Students attend language classes for 12 to 14 hours a week for a total of roughly 60 hours of in-class instruction. Students already fluent in Vietnamese may audit content courses at Hue University or pursue an independent study in Vietnamese on a topic of interest (culture, history, literature, etc.)
An extended family stay for the duration of the program is an important part of the program. Students are encouraged to participate fully in family life. Students will have their own bedroom and only one student is placed in each home to maximize use of Vietnamese. Homes may be more rustic then what students experience in the U.S, but have all the necessities.
To deepen students’ understanding of topics covered in the core course, they participate in several site visits in or near Hue and one major study trip. Study trips may vary each summer but could include:
- Visits to the Imperial City of Hue and The Imperial Tombs
- Trips to minority communities in the mountains west of Hue
- A trip to the vibrant commercial center of Danang
- A visit to the beautiful early modern trading town of Hoi An
- A visit to the ancient Champa ruins of My Son, one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia
- An extended trip to the booming city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam
- An extended visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hạ Long Bay, a region of extraordinary beauty
How to Apply
Application Steps and Deadlines for Pitzer College Students
Application Steps for Non-Pitzer Students
Before You Go
Passport: Everyone on the program needs a passport. Check the expiration date. If you do not have a passport valid for six months after your planned return from study abroad, then you will need to renew your passport.
Orientation: After students apply and are accepted into the program, they will participate in a program orientation before leaving for Vietnam. Orientations are required and designed to ensure students get the most out of the study abroad experience. They provide cultural context, health and safety information, and academic guidelines. At orientation, students will receive details specific to the program including program dates, flight arrangements, immunization documents, safety guidelines, and the handbook. Also at orientation students will receive details regarding the virtual Vietnamese language courses.
Summer Program Fees: The 2024 Summer Program fee was $12,000. The cost for the 2025 summer program will be updated shortly. The cost covers tuition for two courses, all program activities and study trips, full room and board, and round-trip flight. Financial Aid will be available for Pitzer College students who normally receive financial aid. Students receiving aid should contact the Financial Aid office for details on how their package could be applied to a summer program.
Visas: Typically, Hue University will provide students with the needed paperwork for their entry visa. Students are also able to use the documents to secure their visa on arrival at the airport. However, the visa process can change. Students are responsible for researching country specific information and the visa process. Everyone on the program needs a passport. Check the expiration date. If you do not have a passport valid for six months after your planned return from study abroad, then you will need to renew your passport.