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Donald Kopka, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorManagement Dept.Towson University

"Fulbright Scholar in Vietnam:  An Ongoing

Sabbatical"

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Presentation Topics

• Fulbright Mission and Process

• Connection to previous Peace Corps Background

• Teaching and Research

• Social Interactions

• Continuing Work

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Fulbright Mission

“To increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange.”

Senator J. William Fulbright

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Fulbright Application Process

• Senior Scholar Deadline August 1, 2002• Elements of Application

– Country choice and anticipate benefits– Academic background– Teaching expectations and style– Experience demonstrating collegiality, adaptability,

cultural sensitivity

• Notification of approval May 2003• Performed Fulbright assignment in Spring 2004

semester• Website http://www.cies.org/

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Vietnam

Why?

“A COUNTRY—NOT A WAR.

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Peace Corps Redux

• Professional – Academic Work

• Social Interactions,

OR

It’s not all about the work!!!

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SABBATICAL –FULBRIGHTINTENTIONS

• Teach entrepreneurship and business strategy in Vietnam

• Begin research on entrepreneurship and economic development in Vietnam

• Assist with curriculum development• Facilitate student exchanges• Bring into teaching at Towson• Baltimore-area contacts for business in

Vietnam

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University of Da NangCollege of Economics

Department of Business Administration

• Six colleges spread throughout Da Nang• Fairly progressive• 8000 Undergraduates in College• Class sizes 55 or more students• Students take 6 to 8 courses per semester, more

than 200 credits to graduate• Varying semester start dates• Off-campus, distance education complicates

teaching• Heavy focus on translating English language

materials

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Teaching Experiences• Two “Ur” Four Courses

– Business Strategy– Entrepreneurship– English for Faculty– English Club for Students

• Flexibility Warning Very Apt– Little contact before left U.S.– End of classes kept changing– Added meeting sessions

• Excellent Experience and Working Relationships

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Classroom Experience

• First foreign teacher in college and department

• Two four hour classes per week• Sixty students per class• Other teachers often attended• Translator in each class• English delivery and Vietnamese

translation time consuming, reduced planned course content and activities

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College Student Life• Entry based on national exam – top

2% accepted to college• No electives• Classroom culture• Rent room for $8.00 per month• Share room with 8 other students• No money at end of month• Noodles – a diet staple• Universal for women?

SHOPPING

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Other Academic Contributions

• Textbooks

• Consultations on curriculum

• Hue presentation

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Entrepreneurship Business Plan Presentation

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Uncle Ho Shrine

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Marx-Lenin Olympics

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Research• Symposium Paper on Human

Resource Skills for Market Economy• Supporting Industries paper in March

2004• Collaborative research with Nhung

Nguyen on Vietnamese entrepreneurs—Sustainability Conference in Hanoi January 2006

• In development– Learning from Fulbright Scholar– Changes in State-Owned Enterprises

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Social Interactions• International Women’s Day• Creative Youth Festival• “Di nhau”—talking and drinking beer• “After one month, it is time for you to

have girlfriend”• Humor important!! Teasing and

boisterous• Important to be open and ready to

spend time with colleagues, students, others

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Libations

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Globalization IS REAL!!

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Marriage and Family

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Groom Minh and Bride Huong

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Rural Life – A Different Country

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Khe Sanh

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Rememberance

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Continuing Work• Bachelor’s Program for Vietnamese

Students• Cohort-sandwich program

– 3 semesters University of Danang– 4 semesters at Towson– 1 semester at University of Danang

• Getting visas critical issue• Potential program revenues of $180,000

to $300,000 per year• 20 students began February 13

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MOU Signing

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Program Recruitment

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Fulfilling an Ambition

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Government

• One Party State – Communism

• Party presence at many levels

• “Market Economy Under Socialist Orientation”

• Open Trade

• Stability

• People Know What to Say

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Living Arrangements• Very comfortable house (non-use

created problems) – not Peace Corps; arranged by colleagues

• Near beach• Purchased motorbike • Never received home telephone bill• Mobile phone necessary• Internet access from home• Many cafes and beach restaurants

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Recommendations _ Fulbright Program

• Specifically identify college department of Fulbright Scholar

• Inform, follow-up to ensure communication between host institution and Fulbright Scholar

• Clearly identify courses to be taught• Determine schedule for teaching, starting and ending

dates for semester, number of weeks• Ensure presence of translators• Provide references on Vietnamese culture• Information on record keeping of expenses for tax

purposes

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Academic Recommendations –for Fulbright Scholars

• Get in early contact with host institution• Arrange two people as contact persons in department• Identify specific courses to be taught• Ensure translation assistance• Select simple textbook for translation• Be selective and don’t be excessive in course content• Plan for 12 week semester• Work with colleagues on slide design – prevent

PowerPoint abuse• Try to assist with English language development• Adapt to necessary changes - be flexible

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Personal Recommendations –for Fulbright Scholars

• Consult with host department on housing arrangements and identify person who can assist with housing problems

• Socialize with colleagues – “It’s not just about the work” – build social and professional and US-Vietnamese relationships

• Have a sense of humor – emulate Vietnamese

• Have fun!!

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Reflections - Guidance

• Previous experience shaped my approaches• Developed familiarity beforehand• Avoid being judgmental• Be curious and open• United States beacon for the world• It is harder to be a good guest than to be a

good host• Warning – others may not be interested in

your foreign experiences• For more

http://www.towson.edu/~kopka/vietnam_fulbright_experience.htm