Teacher In-Country Fellowships to Asia (TICFA) Program Vietnam Study Tour Margaret Cullen, St Ignatius College, NSW, with students, Vietnam, January 2001 | Leader/s | Dates | Outline | Past Participant Comments | The Asia Education Foundation's (AEF) TICFA Program is a professional development program that aims to provide Australian educators the opportunity to experience first hand the peoples, cultures and issues of the countries of Asia and to enhance skills and discipline knowledge of the studies of Asia. The Vietnam study tour provides Australian educators with the opportunity to work closely with local teachers and students, make valuable contacts and gain an insight into the Vietnamese education system. Participants are able to compare north and south and explore issues facing the Vietnamese people today. The Asia Education Foundation works in partnership with the Hanoi National Pedagogic University to deliver this program. The first stop to the city of Hanoi includes intensive teaching opportunities and cultural exploration of both traditional and contemporary Vietnam. Visits to Hanoi's Old Quarter, pagodas and temples provide insights into the heritage of this charming city, while offering a comparison to the thriving new economy. On completion of the five day teaching program in Hanoi, the group travels the length of Vietnam via the picturesque and historical towns of Hue and Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Vietnam's largest city, participants witness the hustle and bustle and contrasting images of this active metropolis, compare north and south and learn about Vietnam's history and cultures. Go to the top of the page Tour Leader/s Ms Nel Smit, Tasmanian Educational Leaders' Institute, TAS Mr Stephen Collins, Vietnamese Consultant, VIC Tour Dates The dates of the 2002-2003 TICFA tour to Vietnam are: Date of departure from Australia is Thursday 2nd January 2003 Date of return to Australia is Wednesday 22nd January 2003 Although every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, please note that these dates are subject to change. Go to the top of the page Tour Outline Day 1 Traveling Fly Australian ports to Singapore Day 2 Hanoi Arrive Hanoi, hotel check-in and group briefing Day 3 Hanoi Teaching team meetings and visit to schools. City orientation with tour of the center of Hanoi. Day 4 Hanoi Teaching Workshop (Day 1) followed by a visit to the Australian Embassy and AusTrade briefing Day 5 Hanoi Teaching Workshop (Day 2) followed by water puppets and traditional theatre Day 6 Hanoi Teaching Workshop (Day 3) followed by tour of museum of Ethnology. Day 7 Hanoi Teaching Workshop (Day 4) followed by tour of local Art Gallery Day 8 Hanoi Teaching Workshop (Day 5) Day 9 Hanoi Visit to local sites such as Ho Chi Minh's Museum and Temple of Literature. Visit Buddhist Shrines at West Lake. Day 10 Halong Bay Depart Hanoi to Haiphong by train, transfer to Long Bien Railway Station for HaiPhong. Day 11 Halong Bay Sightseeing in Haiphong City, boat trip to Halong Bay and visit to grottos. Day 12 Hue Return to Hanoi by coach and visit ceramic factory. Fly Hanoi - Hue, visit Hue Citadel and King Khai Dinh tomb Day 13 Hue Boat trip on Huong river to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and King Minh Mang Tomb Day 14 Hue Visit Tu Duc tomb and Bronze casting village Day 15 Hoi An Travel to Hoi An and tour Ancient Town Day 16 Hoi An Visit My Son Holyland of Cham people Day 17 Saigon Transfer to Danang and visit Cham museum. Fly Danang - Saigon Day 18 Saigon Depart for Tay Ninh - visit Caodaism Holysee temple and visit Cu Chi tunnels on return. Day 19 Saigon Visit former presidential palace, Thien Hau pagoda, war museum and China town Day 20 Travelling Group evaluation and de-briefing. Fly Saigon to Australia Day 21 Australia Arrive Australian home ports Although every attempt has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, please note that these details are subject to change. Go to the top of the page Past Participant Comments This was my first Asian experience and one that will have me going back at every opportunity. My cultural understanding was helped in so many ways - websites were provided, reminders about TV shows, booklists plus people contacts and site visit guidance were constantly received in-country. Robin Wake, Hale School, WA I was excited and enriched by the sensual and intellectual stimulation the tour provided and have developed a great desire to learn much more about the culture and history of Vietnam. I believe that my future students will greatly benefit from the insights I have gained. Cheryl Webster, Campania District High School, TAS First hand experience of the people, particularly getting to know the students - who were so friendly and willing to share what they had will be a long-lasting impression of Vietnamese people in general. I enjoyed the chances to walk through the markets, back streets and shops to really appreciate the lifestyle of the Vietnamese. Phillip Menadue, Coomoora Secondary College, VIC This program ensured that Vietnam left an indelible mark on my psyche. I was challenged in many ways but my pre-conceptions were changed. I feel very lucky and grateful to be part of a project that enhances knowledge, understanding and builds bridges of communication between cultures. Nicole Carey, Our Lady Help of Christians Parish School, NSW The tour provided valuable insights into a culture that probably would not be seen by the average tourist. I am now able to support my teaching with first hand views and personal contacts. It was the visual context that no amount of reading could provide that was the most valuable. Ruth Wilson, Calvin Secondary College, TAS I feel that I now have a much deeper appreciation of the culture of Vietnam that will certainly be transferred in my teaching. Also, I am certainly more enthusiastic about the country after visiting and experiencing it first hand. This enthusiasm will influence my teaching and also when speaking with colleagues. Philip Magee, Mentone Girls' Secondary College, VIC Before this tour, when I heard the word 'Vietnam', my mind was trapped with the concept of the Vietnam War that we saw on TV in the 1970's. This tour has given me a totally new perspective on Vietnam; it is a fascinating country with a rich and long history. I am now thirsty for any material that informs me about this country. Kathleen Simpson, St. Anthony's Primary School, ACT I would really encourage teachers to apply for the Vietnam tour because of the opportunity to land in the middle of a culture and to teach in the country. It was a wonderful experience to teach in Hanoi and to work collaboratively with teaching colleagues. It was great working as part of a team and to step outside one's own comfort zone, exchange ideas and develop one's horizons. The warmth and enthusiasm of the students was a real highlight. Philipa McInerney, Catholic Ladies College, VIC The program as it exists provides a wonderful overview of the country. I was overwhelmed with the whole experience and have a great love and more importantly, respect for the people of Vietnam. I have been filed with enthusiasm to read volumes of information related Vietnam: cultural, historical, social, economic, religious. I feel confident in being able to disseminate this information. Glenda Murray, Saint Christopher's Primary School, NSW Go to the top of the page Contacts Further information on the TICFA program is available from: Ms Kristi Sheldon, Manager, In-Country Programs k.sheldon@asialink.unimelb.edu.au Mr Aaron O'Shannessy, Project Officer, In-County Programs a.oshannessy@asialink.unimelb.edu.au Asia Education Foundation Sidney Myer Asia Centre The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia Telephone: 03 8344 4800 Facsimile: 03 9347 1768