SUMMER CULTURAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
SAN MARCOS
San Marcos is one of the most beautiful and safe coastal cities in California, 50 km from San Diego, 100 km from Orange County, 160 km from Los Angeles.
California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), established in 1989, is a public university ranked 31st among the top public universities in the United States by the U.S News & World Report.
International Education Institute (IEI) is a member of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City. Since 2017, CSUSM University has partnered with IEI to implement the Summer Cultural Experience Program at San Marcos. The program has attracted many students.
Staying with host families
Developing leadership, science process and English language skills with CSUSM lecturers.
Making friends with international students from all around the globe:
improving English communication skills, cultural exchange and showcasing talents.
Touring San Marcos to learn about the political system of the U.S.A. and participate in a model meeting between the mayor, council members and the people.
Visiting popular tourist attractions in California: San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, SeaWorld Theme Park, California beach, etc.
15 days of summer 2019 experience at San Marcos through students’ lenses:
After traveling halfway around the world, IEI team arrived the coastal city of San Marcos, California, USA. CSUSM representatives were at the airport to welcome and bring the IEI team to the school, where the local families were waiting to greet students. Everyone had a short time to chat with each other and introduce themselves before getting to the new home together. The supervision of the team leader ensured the students get home safely.
The first class started at 9am with an orientation session including rules announcement and an introduction about the university. Each student was given a student ID and a library card to support his/her learning and research at CSUSM.
The school representatives took the team on a tour to the administration building, the library and other functional areas to prepare the students for the Scavenger Hunt (extracurricular activities) in the afternoon. This has provided the students an opportunity to practice a little patience, as well as to improve their observation and problem-solving skills.
Students started their day with a session about the essential 21st century skills such as leadership skills, critical thinking and time management skills; which helps them adapt to the recruitment needs and prepare for the workplace in the modernized society while still in school.
Students had the opportunity to showcase their teamwork skills in the English presentations on social topics that took place at the school this afternoon. Students had the chance to practice the theoretical knowledge they had learned about time management and leadership skills, creating a solid foundation to help them get ready for the future labor market.
Today the students learned about American behavioral culture as well as English communication skills in a globalized environment. Today’s class had helped them master the new language more easily and confidently.
In the afternoon, students took train to Oceanside Beach to participate in outdoor activities, after spending hours in the lecture hall.
In the morning, the students had a class about community and communication. They successfully mastered their communication skills they had learned before to become more integrated with international students, and to expand their personal relationships actively.
In the afternoon, everyone joined hands to set up tents at the beach, preparing for a picnic with the students from all over the world.
The students started their day with San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park Tour. The IEI team had a day full of vivid and realistic experiences at the zoo – dubbed the sanctuary and the second home of more than 650 species and subspecies. The students not only had the opportunity to explore the fascinating ecosystem in North America, but also learned about survival skills when facing the wildlife.
The students enjoyed a comfortable weekend at home, having conversations about the local life with the host families. Others spent time on going shopping at a nearby mall.
In the evening, the students took a walk around the neighborhood, enjoying some fresh air without having to travel far.
On Monday morning, the students had another lecture about communication, and then environmental protection activities at San Diego beach. The students spent the whole day there, enjoying the natural beauty without having to worry about trampling on rubbish or other sharp objects since there were staff and volunteers cleaning up the beach every day.
The IEI team spent a morning to learn about the political system of the U.S.A. In the afternoon, the team visited the City Hall, and met with the mayor. They also got to meet friendly traffic police officers and participated in a model meeting between the mayor, council members and the people.
The students visited Old Town San Diego, where the first Spanish immigrants lived in the United States. They visited Mission of San Diego De Alcala, built by Father Junipero Serra in 1769.
The tour assisted students in consolidating their literary knowledge and supported the formation of related methods to help motivate them to learn more enthusiastically.
The IEI team’s first iFLY experience – simulates skydiving in an indoor environment at a speed of 160-190km per hour. The students showed interest and looked forward to their turn. Some made a unique pose while skydiving, making many unforgettable memory photos.
The IEI team prepared a repertoire of Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh to participate in the Talent Show. A legend in Vietnamese culture was introduced to international friends. The students performed it naturally, with applause ending the exciting performance. Everyone was cheering and giving compliments about the show, making IEI team very proud and confident in their own abilities.
Today, a session was carried out to summarize the journey: what the students went through, and what was learned. The meeting was attended by the local hosts who shared their memories with the students.
The meeting ended after the representatives of CSUSM presented certificates of completion to the students.
The students had a full day at Disneyland – The magical Kingdom of Walt Disney. Many interesting games and gorgeous characters appeared in the world’s leading amusement park, which adorned the IEI team’s picture. A stress-free day of relaxation ended in joy, but also full of regret for the young.
The students spent the morning with their host families before departing for Viet Nam in the early afternoon. Some of them could not help crying after spending two weeks of studying, experiencing, interacting and living together as family members.
A meaningful, rewarding and future-oriented trip has helped the students become more independent and more mature in a vast new horizon.
I had new experiences about the lifestyle of the local people and cultivated my English skills even further. After the trip, I became more independent and learned more about what I need to do before preparing for studying abroad.
Phan Bao Quan (District 1, HCMC)
I joined the program in the summer of 10th grade. The trip was very interesting. I had wonderful opportunities to enhance my English language skills. I also attended social skills training and science classes right on the university campus.
Le Nguyen Minh Thi (Tan Phu District, HCMC)
When I registered my son to participate in the program, I was quite worried because that was his first trip to be far away from home. However, the program was well designed to ensure the safety of students and had IEI staff taking caring of everything, so I felt really reassured. Seeing my son grew up and became more independent after the trip, I am very satisfied.
Ms. Lan – Mother of Nguyen Quoc Huy (District 12, HCMC)
International Education Institute, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City
8 Tran Quang Khai, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, HCM City
Study abroad office: studyabroad@vnuilead.edu.vn
Hotline: 077 7171 676
Tel: 0903 953 007
ESTIMATED DEPARTURE TIME:
Jul 20 – Aug 05, 2020
REGISTER BEFORE
APRIL 10, 2020
FOR SPECIAL OFFERS
