A blistering rush runs through my mind and body as I break the seal- as I do something new for the first time. Vietnam is just a roller coaster of firsts and I am going to keep riding until I’m kicked off for closing.

I’m a soul who rarely gets embarrassed, and so its hard to put me outside of my comfort zone- and that is initially why I signed up for Vietnam, I wanted to truly challenge myself with something I knew (or thought) I would heavily struggle with.

I’m just a boy, at the ripe age of 19, who decided to go to Asia, for the first time, with no friends, no knowledge or strong interest in the food or culture, and new knowledge of allergies to all kinds of seafood (including shellfish.)

In background knowledge: I am in Vietnam, traveling from North to South with 25 other students from my University to study business and the economy of Vietnam. It is a cultural study led by two advisors from my school and a travel guide.

My knees shook as I stumbled around the streets of Hanoi for the first time. My body shook with ache feeling I had made a regretful decision, and my mind pounded with the knowledge that there was absolutely no turning back now. I was a minority in a city that didn’t seem to have anything familiar to my home. The driving and streets were in no way an organized process nor did they follow any sort of structure. Even the sidewalk wasn’t sacred ground, people drove on it as well. Rising in the corners of the streets were unfamiliar smells, unwanted grabbing and questioning and overall utter confusion and dismay. But as I began to breath and remind myself why I was there, a slight net of peace went over me.

I’ve always saw study abroad as an escape to go and travel fascinating places, party all the time, and have very little cares about the real world. Though, it soon became clear that Vietnam was not on my plate to be a party, I was placed here to educate myself. To see how other cultures function, and to see what its like to live in the majority of the world’s income and setting, rather than being a privileged white male in America. To put on a man’s shoes and walk his path for a day you could say.

There is so much more to say and so much to come, such as the time in which I traveled to beautiful Buddhist temples and land marks and really found myself and peace until I discovered that I had taken too long and was soon enough to be only with me, myself, and I (in the middle of no where Vietnam, with no access of communication to anyone else.) Or the time I saw Ho Chi Minh’s dead body. Or, not to mention my new appreciation for every working man and my constant lookout for the topics of my paper, such as prostitution, woman’s rights and gay’s rights. But that is all to come in dear sweet and soon time. This was to stand as an introduction to an…eclectic and memorable journey that is ‘that time I went to Nam.’

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As I prepared for the trip to Vietnam over winter break, I was also reflecting on 2014 in preparation for the New Year to create my resolutions. In doing so, one of my main goals for 2015 was to be more happy through living in the moment. I was so excited to be starting off the new year with this trip to Vietnam and this week has been full of happy moments in a variety of forms.

Our first excursion was to visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Our bus pulled up along side buses carrying huge groups of Vietnamese children visiting the Mausoleum for a school field trip. As each group of children passed by, their eyes lit up and every child was waving and screaming “hello!”. They each repeated over and over as if they were saying it to each person in the group individually and, occasionally, a child would get up the courage to yell “What’s you’re name?” or “How are you?”. It brought such a smile to my face to see the reactions of all these children and I wanted to meet and talk to each one! Never in my life had I felt like more of a celebrity. To see the awe and excitement these children experienced seeing us brought me back to the innocence of childhood.

On Saturday we had a free day and a large group of us planned an excursion to the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the location of the largest pagoda and Buddha statue in Vietnam. Just being here surrounded by the mountain scenery and fresh air immediately created a sense of serenity peace. Being here, a place so scared and holy to so many people, made me just feel extremely blessed and happy to be alive. As I watched women pray at the statues it just reminded me of all I had to be thankful for that allowed me to be standing there in that moment.

Sunday, we traveled to Halong Bay which was one of the most breathtaking places that I have ever been. The day we arrived was overcast and rainy but we pushed through the bad weather and took small boats out to explore the fishing village. Even in the pouring rain, the whole place was so tremendous and beautiful. To reflect on the history of the place and how many millions of years went by in which nature was slowly creating the natural wonder is so humbling. The next morning as we all sat on the sun deck with the sun warming our faces and the sea air all around us I felt pure bliss that is so rare. It was a moment that can’t be recreated with material things; in that moment nothing else mattered. It was the perfect end to the first week of this amazing journey. I can’t wait to experience all the happiness that this next week will bring exploring the city of Hoi An.

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Upon informing my relatives that I would traveling to Vietnam for my study abroad experience, I received very mixed reactions. Many people were stuck in the mindset that was common during the Vietnam war and believed that I would face opposition or even danger as an American in this nation. However, the experiences I have had thus far could not be more different. In talking to some of the locals, whether those on the streets, in our hotel, or even our tour guide Vu, it has become apparent that Americans are incredibly well received here and nearly everyone has a looming curiosity regarding our culture. While I expected to come to Vietnam as the student, there have already been many instances in which I have served as a teacher, helping share American traditions and the different aspects of life in the States to curious locals. However, every time that I asked a local if they had travelled to America, their answer was no.

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Upon arriving in Vietnam I quickly realized that the Vietnam I had been picturing was very different from what it actually is. Drawing from Paradise of the Blind I had pictured a very underdeveloped country, with dirt roads, villages with very crowded housing and little shops. I did not expect Hanoi to have a city atmosphere flooded with mopeds, cars, buses, and people everywhere. I am continually shocked seeing the amount of people spending their days on the streets, either cooking, trying to shine tourists shoes, or selling various items. Although, the chaos that the combination of these factors creates in Hanoi is the exact opposite of what I expected, the characteristics observed in the communities along the highways did in fact depict my previous expectations. These expectations were merely surface level, I did not know what I would see in terms of people, specifically in the work place. While visiting the pottery shop, I was shocked to see the conditions of the shop as well as the way the people were working. The patience and hardwork of all the workers was something, I think, would be rare to see in the US. Without a complaint the workers sat on the floor, breathing fumes, while doing their assigned task over and over again until the quota was met. An example of this is a group of women tediously painting the pottery, once they were done with one they immediatly put it down and picked up another. This patience can be seen in the Vietnamese people doing all types of work. Another example of this is the people selling goods on the side of the highway. Their income is based mainly off of purchases made by tourists who choose to stop and buy their things. No matter how many tourists decide to stop, the people must sit in their shops all day and wait patiently for a customer. I am excited to see if this trait continues to be so prominent throughout the country as we travel further south.

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I have always been a person fascinated by culture. The lifestyles and perspectives of the Vietnamese population are not only interesting, but eye opening as well. Although I have traveled numerous times to diverse places, nothing has taken me by surprise as much as Vietnam has. The people, the food, the atmosphere, the work ethic and the everyday social norms of Hanoi all contribute to the country’s uniqueness. As I stepped outside the hotel, I was immediately struck by the overwhelming activity taking place. Hundreds of motorbikes covered the road as vendors engulfed the sidewalks. There was so much to take in at once, that I needed a minute to collect my thoughts. While collecting my thoughts, I was bombarded by a persistent street vendor selling a random assortment of souvenirs. It wasn’t her persistence that struck me, but rather how she carried her souvenirs. All of the weight was put on her shoulders from a bamboo piece that held two weaved baskets. The two baskets must have weighed at least twenty pounds. It was then that I realized how hard it is to make a living. The expression “breaking backs” has never rang more true. These individuals’ livelihoods are dependent upon tourists like us. I was taken back by the large population of women who earned their living this way.

After being shocked by the grueling lifestyle of street vendors, my attention immediately turned to these tiny plastic tables and chairs. They seemed so random, but as I watched numerous locals gather with friends or family chowing down on pho, a staple noodle soup in Hanoi, I became so intrigued. Who would have ever thought that child size plastic seating would be the place to be as a Hanoi local.

Nothing was as overwhelming as crossing the street though. Safety is not something that is prioritized here. Motorcyclists do not stop for pedestrians. They ride until they are a nerve-wracking inch or two away from pedestrians or fellow motorcyclists. Cars are not as common and the speed limit is quite low. Motorbikes crowd the streets and even the shopping alleyways. There is no respect for walkers. Although many might find this bike population to be overwhelming and chaotic, I find it to be a fascinating whirlwind. It adds to Hanoi’s pulsating energy.

The thrill of crossing the street is calmed by the friendliness of the people. Despite the language barrier, the Hanoi locals make you feel welcomed and appreciated. Their smiles and eagerness to communicate prove Vietnam’s uniqueness. Majority of locals spend their entire day trying to make a sale. According to the Women’s Museum, some wake up as early as four in the morning to go to the markets to have the freshest supplies ready for the day. They usually do not return home until everything is sold. You would expect them to be miserable, but they are nothing less than happy, optimistic individuals. The Hanoi locals are just as fascinated by us as we are them. They love practicing their English and getting to know the American culture, just as much as we want to learn theirs.

Life in Hanoi is unlike anything I have ever experienced. From visiting Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum to exploring the ceramic factory, it is clear to see that Vietnam has a rich history. Hanoi is chaotic, fun, and breathtaking all at once. To say it is eye opening would be an understatement.

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After my first few days in Vietmam, it’s safe to say culture shock is definitely real. Although I have traveled before, nothing can compare to the things I have seen here. The streets are overwhelming, the sky is constantly hazy and the food is totally unique yet it’s the people I have encountered that have really blown me away. The attitudes and work ethic of the Vietnamese people has opened my eyes to the comittment and strength humans are capable of. On multiple occasions I have seen people working endlessly in their shops or on the street in hopes making just one sale or having one customer. When I visted the Indigo Dying Factory, there was a room of deaf and mute workers doing back breaking work for the entire day. The conditions were subpar and the hours long. When it was our turn to try completing their daily work, we lasted no more than 10 minutes until we were complaining about our backs hurting or arms getting tired. What struck me the most was the constant smile on the workers faces. They seemed thrilled not only to have a set job with steady pay. They were even more excited to see us, teach their trade and show off their products. In the United States, individuals would never go though their labor with this thankful and cheery attitude. In Vietnam, complaining is unheard of and skimping out on work is a foreign idea. This was a polar opposite to the stereotypical lazy American I am used to. I was utterly impressed with their work ethic but also felt a tinge of guilt because I would never want to be in their position. This epririence has made me more thankful when I reflect on all of the material goods I purchase. A scaf is no longer a scarf but a beautiful piece of art someone far away toiled over for hours. I have profound respect for the people of Vietnam I have encountered and can only hope that some of their positive attributes will rub off on me in the future.

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I cannot believe that I am in Vietnam. It has been a dream of mine to travel here. Growing up, I used to watch the history channel daily and would watch specials on the Vietnam War. The programs sparked my interest about this foreign country, specifically the geography. Now that I can finally experience the terrain in person I am absolutely blown away. I have never seen such extreme rock formations with such thick vegetation juxtaposed by marshy fields. When I went on the excursion to the Bai Dinh Pagoda, I thought it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. The complex was ornate and enormous, spreading over several square miles in the mountains and overlooked lakes and rivers. I found myself thinking I was taking the best picture I have ever taken. Then two minutes later I found myself thinking the same thing again. It has become a repeated process ever since because just when I thought nothing could be more beautiful than the Bai Dinh, we visited Ha Long Bay. Ha Long Bay was equally as beautiful as Bai Dinh in its own unique way. With the hundreds of mountain-like islands towering over and all around our boat I felt like I was in another world, like in the movie avatar or in Jurassic park, especially with the mood that the cloudy and foggy weather set. Yet again I found myself stopping with my jaw dropped trying to soak the beauty of it all in. Then when I thought Ha Long Bay could not have gotten any better, we visited the Sung Sot Cave. It was the largest cave I have ever been in and once again the rock formations, with all the stalagmites and stalactites, blew me away. I have already taken over 400 photos of this stunning country. The longer I stay in Vietnam everything seems to only get better. Its beauty continuously blows me away. I cannot wait for what Vietnam will continue to surprise me with when we are in Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, and the Mekong Delta.

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The moment I took my first steps outside of the hotel in Hanoi I have been provided me with an opportunity to explore a completely different culture and society than what I am accustomed to back home. Prior to my Vietnam departure, I considered myself fairly prepared for what I was about to encounter. However, after spending time in Hanoi I have been taken about by what I was exposed to in their culture such as the complexity of crossing chaotic streets to the amount of street food vendors.

I also found it fascinating how the gender roles in the work force. During our time at the CET classroom, the guest speaker discussed how women predominately worked in fields, such as accounting, finance, and banking. I found this especially astonishing in contrast to the United States. In the United States it is surprising to find females dominating the business work force. As a woman pursuing a career in finance, I have observed from my internships how male dominance is prominent in most finance jobs. This difference has allowed for a deeper insight not only on Vietnamese employment but also their culture.

Another aspect of Hanoi that I found fascinating was the preservation of Ho Chi Minh’s body. When visiting the mausoleum, I had my hands in my pocket without thought, and was asked to remove them. This request demonstrated not only how revered Ho Chi Minh was and respected, but how all visitors should show respect him as well. Additionally, it was incredible to discover what amazing condition the body was in, despite his preservation being against his will. I was in awe to discover that no one knows what is keeping him preserved as well. This preservation displays the high level of respect that the Vietnamese have towards Ho Chi Minh and his modest character. Despite the United States having rememberable presidents and leaders, none of their body’s have been preserved or have been viewed the same level of respect by the entire US population as Ho Chi Minh.

Even though we were were in Hanoi approximately one week the difference in our cultures has become extremely evident. Thus far, I have formed a deep appreciation for Vietnam and its culture and have enjoyed the beauty that the country has to offer. I am looking forward to the remaining part of my trip and more of what I will experience. I feel privileged to be apart of the trip and have learned more than I could have imagined.

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Coming to vietnam was my first time traveling out of the country so I had very few expectations for the culture shock of traveling to a foreign country. From the very first time we stepped out of the hotel onto the busy Hanoi street I felt immersed in the Vietnamese culture. The fast paced and loud environment of the country’s capital was very new to me and was at first very overwhelming. The streets in Hanoi were the first thing that took me by surprise. The racing motorbikes and cars made crossing the street a near death experience each time. To foreigners this somewhat lawless driving and street traffic seems dangerous and unimaginable. I was amazed at how despite the chaos on each street I did not see a single traffic accident while in Hanoi. It’s as if there is a pattern or rhythm amongst the craziness that the locals are used to that tourists can’t even begin to comprehend.

If I wasn’t trying to avoid being hit while crossing the street I was busy observing the hundreds of street vendors and small shops. In a way the small stores reminded me of New York City and how similar to pizza shops in that American city, there are an immeasurable amount of street shops selling pho and other Vietnamese dishes. These small shops that line the street seem to be organized by the product they are selling. From a line of shoe stores to even multiple shops dedicated to selling buttons, the city seems to have specific streets or sections dedicated to the same product. This observation was especially interesting to me as the set up of stores is much different than in America. Back home competing stores that sell similar if not identical products will want to be spread out through out an area. It is very interesting and kind of awkward to see competing stores placed only inches away from each other on the streets of hanoi. I wonder if the employees of these shops ever feel weird about trying to sell the exact same thing as their neighbor. I can only imagine that this close proximity can make competition for customers even more intense.

The experience that impacted me the most during our time in Hanoi was outside of the busy city at the Bai Dinh pagoda. This day trip was the perfect break from the craziness of the city and was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. My grandma practices Buddhism and I have recently been considering converting to the Buddhist religion so seeing this massive series of temples was really special to me. Photos can not do it justice as this massive structure just seemed to keep on going up the mountain. I was left speechless by the amount of detail put into each temple and Buddha statue. Our time spent at the pagoda was perfect for some self reflection and thought as our stay in Hanoi was coming to an end. I loved the city of Hanoi and all of the culture and amazing food it had to offer, but the breathtaking view from the top of the Bai Dinh pagoda was like nothing I had ever seen before.

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When I stepped out of the hotel the first morning in Hanoi I found myself immediately immersed in the Vietnamese culture. The hustle and bustle of the streets was an overwhelming but exhilarating sight. I had to take a moment to step back and take it all in. This first moment in Vietnam has made me think about the differences in city life between Hanoi and Boston.

As I walked into the center of Hanoi, I found myself surrounded by lots of people, traffic and commotion; the sounds and smells were all so new to me. Here I was really able to get a taste of what Hanoi was like. You can learn so much about a city by just standing on the streets and observing what is going on around you. The streets in Hanoi are chaotic, there are hundreds of people speeding by on motorbikes. I quickly noticed that motorbikes were definitely the most popular mode of transportation. People of all different ages were driving them. Both men and women and even young kids were riding on the back with their parents. I also noticed that many of the women that drove motorbikes were even wearing heals!! This is something that really took me by surprise.

In Boston, motorbikes are popular but not nearly to the extent that they are here. People drive cars but mostly people use the subway and other modes of public transportation. This is definitely a big difference between the two cities. In Hanoi there does not seem to be a lot of options for public transportation. You see many people walking, biking and using motorbikes but I have not seen any trains, subways or busses to travel around the city.
The shops in Hanoi line the streets! But many of these shops are more geared toward the tourists than the local people who live in the city. As you walk down the side streets you pass many stores that are selling rice hats, Buddha statues and t-shirts that say Vietnam on them. These stores are directly depending on the tourists in order for them to make a profit. I was able to see how dependent the city is on tourism to help their economy. Tourism is a great source of income for this city and you can quickly see this just by walking through the streets. Hanoi is a vibrant city that is filled with so much history. I have loved being able to experience the different culture by walking on the streets, eating the food and talking to the locals.

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