Following my last day in the office and a coffee with colleagues, I headed downtown for a treat with a fellow volunteer at Fanny Ice Cream before we headed for traditional hot pot and a roam through the Night Market on Dong Xuan St.  After a lie-in on Saturday I wanted to savour my favourite [...]

My time here has whizzed by my – it’s ever so hard to believe that this time three weeks ago I was sorting out final items before my 3am Saturday departure. I spent the first half of this week working on a presentation for VACC and eight member institutions to share the importance of student [...]

I only had two weekends in Vietnam to tour and explore.  I spent my first weekend in Ha Long Bay and had initially planned a second weekend away in Sa Pa, further north in Vietnam, but I soon ditched that plan once the weather became obviously cloudy and rainy.  I toyed with going anyway, but [...]

I have been in Vietnam for just over two weeks now and have made a few observations about day-to-day like here – and the make up of post-secondary system. Here are just a few small observations – When in Hanoi and choosing to travel by taxi, use one of two taxi companies – Mai Linh [...]

Driving 40 kilometres from my home in Vancouver will take me to Blaine, Washington in one direction and half-way up to Squamish in the other, each taking just under an hour to get to, depending on traffic.  Driving 40 kilometres from my home in Hanoi will take me to Hay Tay Community College in Chương [...]

Having a blank canvas can be an utterly scary – or absolutely amazing thing!  The folks at HTCChave been very open about what they currently have and what they’re looking to accomplish.  I’ll be working closely with Mr. Tien and Mr. Thach from the college’s International Cooperation Office to develop and design their student and alumni [...]

  The transition to working here has been relatively smooth – day one was relaxing with me having the chance for a lie-in till late morning followed up with a trip to the first University in Vietnam – Van Mieu and the grounds and park that surrounded the campus.  The country is very rooted in [...]

It has been over 20 years since I was last in Hong Kong, and I was stoked to return with a 10 hour layover in Hong Kong as my first leg of my trip to Vietnam.  Thanks to my friend, Felicia and colleague, Mei Mei, who shared with – and in the case of Mei [...]

A slightly delayed blog post – but for good reason!  I’m in an official 12 hour countdown to wheels up en route to Vietnam via a 10-hour layover in Hong Kong. Work has been very busy over the last week, but I have really appreciated the moments of reflection I have had with colleagues and [...]

I wouldn’t call myself a seasoned traveller, but I know I’m definitely not a rookie. I have my multiple pieces of luggage in various sizes, my bin that has all my regular travel items and my very own – yet to be patented – packing process.  The key behind the ‘process’ – a list, it happening over [...]