My Vietnam Engaged Learning Program

Since 2015, the Scheinman Institute and the ILR International Programs Office (IP) has offered a Vietnam Engaged Learning program in Ho Chi Minh City, where ILR students join students from Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU) in learning about labor relations and conflict resolution in the context of Vietnam.

This annual two-week program, which takes place over winter break, was founded by Richard Fincher (ILR '73), an adjunct faculty member of the Institute and a member of the Scheinman Institute Advisory Board. TDTU has a dedicated college of human resources and labor relations, roughly similar to ILR.

During their time in Vietnam, ILR students live on the TDTU campus and attend a series of lectures delivered by the TDTU faculty and other labor relations professionals such as Betterwork Vietnam. Foreign Service Officers from the US Consulate also meet with the students to discuss relations between the United States and Vietnam. Additionally, students have the opportunity to visit landmarks and cultural sites, including a tour of the Mekong River basin. Some years there is a tour of a garment factory.

In the second week of the program, students are involved in a debate workshop culminating in a friendly scrimmage between students. There is also a role play in multicultural negotiations. During the spring semester, ILR students are required to complete a research paper based on their experience on the relevant topic of their choice.

Ivor Mills '27 was a student participant in 2025.

Here from Ivor about what he learned.