Amanda Lawrence is an intern working with the U.S. Commercial Service
Today is the last day of events for the trade mission. Everyone traveled north to the capital Hanoi yesterday. Similar to the start of our Ho Chi Minh City visit, we began today with a market briefing. U.S. Embassy officials discussed the current education environment, highlighting opportunities and hurdles. After the briefings, we all attended an education partnering workshop at the Melia Hotel. The workshop consisted of roundtable discussions, as well as, opportunities to network with local schools hoping to create partnerships. Next, interested schools participated in matchmaking sessions with education agents arranged by the Commercial Service. Participants were very pleased with the business relationships they established as a result of meetings with over many agencies.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) organized the Hanoi Education Fair. Fifty-six schools were present and there were over 1,200 students participating. School representatives exhibited at the fair and met with students and parents. They then had the choice of meetings similar to the day before in Ho Chi Minh City. Alongside the fair, IIE hosted parallel sessions on studying in the United States, a visa briefing, and standardized testing, offering additional information on U.S.-Vietnam educational exchange.
The Education Mission to Vietnam and Indonesia was a great success! We’re headed home to continue developing and exploring the relationships formed during the trip and looking forward to future students coming to study here in the U.S.
