A Post-Weekend Update

Sorry for the lack of updates, but the group has been so busy that there hasn't been much time!

This weekend offered us a chance to take a break from both the classroom and boardroom and get out to see the city.

Saturday, we were accompanied by staff from UEF to take a tour of the Reunification Palace and the Post Office in Vietnam.  The students then had the rest of the day free to explore on their own.

Sunday was a day to relax at the beach!  After taking a boat down the South Saigon River, the students had the opportunity to play some team building games, swim, and relax.  After a fresh seafood lunch, we climbed to the top of the Christ Statue, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vietnam.  Despite the hot weather, everyone seemed to enjoy the walk up and the beautiful view!

Today it was back to business, starting with a visit to Highlands Coffee, which is kind of like the Starbucks of Vietnam, except the coffee is much better!  Viet Thai International, which owns Highlands, also owns the Hard Rock Café in Ho Chi Minh, and so we were lucky enough to be treated to a very American lunch!

It is hard to believe that the trip is more than half over, but we still have a lot of great things left to do before we leave.  Stay tuned for more!

-Brice 

A Quick Update

Time seems to be flying here in Vietnam.  It is crazy to think about how much we have done and seen so far since arriving Monday morning.  So far, the students have had the chance to interact with other students from the University of Economics and Finance, visit the US Consulate (photos below!), tour South Saigon and the Phu My Hung development corporation, Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park, and the II-IV corporation.

We're in the library, waiting for the language exchange program to start!  Stay tuned for more!

Photos, as promised!

In Chicago...

...In Hong Kong...

...and finally Ho Chi Minh City!

Welcome ceremony at the University of Economics and Finance.

Lunch at UEF.

Language class at UEF.

Practicing with Vietnamese students

Model city at Phu My Hung Corporation

Phu My Hung Corporation

We made it to Ho Chi Minh!

After 30 some hours of travel, the Plus3 group made it to Vietnam!

We were happy to be greeted by Dr. Berman around 12:30 AM (local time) last night and head straight to the hotel for some well deserved rest.

This morning, we took the bus to UEF (The University of Economics and Finance) for their welcome ceremony, our first language class, and an authentic Vietnamese lunch.  We'll head to the US Consulate this afternoon, followed by a Welcome Dinner, once again hosted by UEF.

Photos coming soon!

Hello from Hong Kong

It has been 25 hours since we boarded the 28X for Pittsburgh International, and we still have another flight to go!

Next update from Ho Chi Minh!

Welcome to Plus3 Viet Nam

So, what exactly is Plus3? 

In short, it is a two-week experience abroad meant to give business and engineering students at the University of Pittsburgh a glimpse into how business and engineering work together in a global context. 

It is, however, more than that.  It is the first time that any of the students will visit Viet Nam and, for many of the participants, it is the first time they will be traveling out of the country. 

Each student will keep a blog, the links to which you can find along the right side of the page.  In addition to these, I, the program's trusty Program Assistant, will update this main blog from time to time with photo, stories, and my own thoughts on the trip.

The group will leave on May 5, 2012, so check back then for updates.