This summer, five girls from Kalani and Kealakehe high schools spent 18 days in Viet Nam on PAAC’s unique Service Learning Study Tour. They stepped into the shoes of teachers, by planning art lessons and games for primary students at English language centers. The young Vietnamese students loved all of the activities and especially loved the PAAC students.
“The best part of the trip was teaching... The kids were alive with energy, ready to learn, and extremely loving. I will never forget how hard it was to say goodbye to all the kids.”
Participants also visited several non-profits serving youth. They did activities with at-risk and disadvantaged youth receiving hospitality training at KOTO (Know One, Teach One), and learned about human trafficking rescue and rehabilitation work at Blue Dragon. One participant was so moved by the work of Blue Dragon she is starting a fundraising campaign this coming school year for them. They also loved volunteering for a few days at a school for deaf children.
A study tour to Viet Nam would not be complete without seeing highlights from the cities of Hanoi, Hue (the ancient capital of Viet Nam), My Son, and Ho Chi Minh City, (the economic center of Viet Nam). The girls enjoyed trying their hand at lantern, incense, pottery, and Vietnamese-cuisine making.
“This trip has greatly altered my life.”
“This trip allowed me to cross cultural barriers, to come to better understand and love Vietnamese culture and people.”