A High School Youth Exchange in Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of U.S. – Vietnam Bilateral Relations:

Shared Environmental Issues Facing Vietnam and Montana

In celebration of the 25^th anniversary of normalized relations between the U.S. and Vietnam, the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam is sponsoring an Exchange on Global Environmental Issues for 25 high school students, from each the U.S. and Vietnam. The focus is shared environmental and natural resource issues between the two countries, interwoven with cultural exchange.

Program Goals

• Celebrate shared interests between American and Vietnamese youth in commemoration of the anniversary of bilateral relations.

• Develop cultural competencies and a sense of global citizenship in youth through collaborative exploration of respective cultures and societies.

• Explore environmental issues in the context of a globalized society, drawing comparisons between Vietnam and the U.S.

• Develop, refine, and demonstrate leadership by engaging in dialogue, collaboration, negotiation, and project development.

Program Description

The exchange emphasizes cultural diversity and enhancing cross-cultural understanding while comparing complex environmental issues that directly affect the youth participants. In a state with minimal opportunity for international engagement, Montana students gain the unique experience of exposure to another culture while engaging with English language learners. Vietnamese students strengthen their capacity to communicate in English, while gaining the opportunity for supplementary language instruction from the UM English Language Institute to build confidence and proficiency.

In spring 2021, Missoula County Public Schools students joined Vietnamese peers for the virtual exchange program. University of Montana faculty, staff and students and Vietnamese partners supported learning objectives about U.S. and Vietnamese culture and society, intercultural communication, and environmental issues in both countries. Directed by Dr. Nicky Phear, environmental content focused on four themes: nature and biodiversity conservation, plastic pollution and zero waste strategies, climate change impacts and solutions, and youth engagement in environmental action. The exchange maximized direct engagement between students in synchronous and asynchronous formats, culminating in mixed-country projects and presentation by small groups.

Building upon the knowledge and relationships forged during the virtual exchange, students have eagerly transitioned to in-person connections. In the summer of 2022, they embarked on their anticipated travel, navigating health and safety considerations related to the ongoing pandemic. Through direct engagement, mixed-country projects, and collaborative presentations, these young participants continue to explore environmental issues and foster meaningful connections across borders.

Following the final session of the virtual exchange, MCPS students have remained connected to their Vietnamese peers through writing postcards and on social media, while continuing to learn about Vietnam. For example, students attended a UM lecture featuring author Viet Thanh Nguyen, who spoke about his experience as a Vietnamese refugee in the U.S. and his novel, The Sympathizer. In February 2023, they had the opportunity to meet former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius.