Day 4

Today was really interesting. We had a lecture this morning on how you are supposed to communicate with the Vietnamese in a way that is respectful.  We must never be confrontational. The Vietnamese never admit when they are wrong. Instead they will say something like "well we can do it your way but my way is ok too." And by doing that they are inadvertently admitting they are wrong.  Also we must get used to the up in your space kind of interaction the Vietnamese will show towards us.  They will touch us and get in our faces to talk, and ask us very personal questions like our age, salary, whether we are single or not, and other things like that.  It is funny that we have learned this because all of these things have happened to me already.

In language class we learned all of the numbers and certain phrases that will be useful when we go to the market. I can't believe how quickly we all have started to pick up the language. I can't wait to go to the market to practice Vietnamese to the sellers there. We will all get the chance to barter which is going to be interesting. Apparently we should always try and get 30% off of whatever price they initially say.

After lunch at the canteen we all went back to the hotel and changed into our business casual. We then headed to the consulate and had a meeting with one of the Foreign business relations employees.  He told us about how the US is trying to get more businesses to open up in Vietnam, especially due to the economic growth that is occurring.  It was so interesting to hear about the relationship between Vietnam and America. It is cool to see that even after all that has happened with the war we are able to work together and try and better the living conditions of everyone.

Lunch at the Canteen at UEF 

Mastering the chopsticks skills

After the meeting we all went for a quick swim in the pool and then met up to go to dance class. It was hilarious and the best time I have had so far. We were on the roof of some building and there were us 15 from Pitt with about 30 some Vietnamese students. And we were all dancing with each other. I got to dance the tango with Hugh, who is one of my friends from UEF and about 4'11. So that was a sight to see! It was really funny, but really cute. In America I'm short. In Vietnam I'm a giant. Everyone is super tiny! But that was a lot of fun. Then we were teaching them American dances like the Cotton Eye Joe, and some Lady GaGa dance moves. They were cracking up and videotaping us the entire time.

Just totally taking over the entire pool...which is on the roof.

After that Ngoc, Tuan, Lizzie, Phuc, Hieu, and Khuong took us to get some rice and chicken, It was a little sketchy looking but we tried it and it was actually pretty good. The food always is amazing no matter where we go!