Introduction from UM- Ann Arbor

1. Michael Williams

DOB: February 11, 1992

Hometown: Detroit, MI, USA

Major: Architecture

Minor: Urban Studies

E-mail: rulermw@umich.edu

Hey everyone. I'm Michael, one of the freshmen joining you guys on the trip. Our final semester @ U of M Ann Arbor ends in 1 week :) and I can't wait to hop on the plane and head to Vietnam and leave America

behind for a while. Listed below is a little info about me. Can't wait to meet all of you!

Interests:

• Architecture - I live, eat, and breathe architecture! Not really, but I am obsessed with it. I love traveling to different cities and places and looking at all of the buildings and unique homes. I can't wait to go to Vietnam to see all of the cool pagodas and assembly halls; I'm gonna go crazy with my camera.
• Art and Design - Besides architecture I like all types of design like fashion, cars, interior design, and even product and graphic design; they're all the same to me and I couldn't imagine life without them. The same goes for art; I really like going to museums and exhibits to see all kinds of art and I'm a big photography fan, I like taking photos of whatever I find interesting on the streets or right around me.
• Music - I also really like my music. I listen to a little bit of everything like pop (Lady GaGa fan), hip hop (Common and Kanye West), r & b (Alicia Keys), a little rock, classical, and maybe some country; but my favorite is soul/ r & b music such as Lauryn Hill and India Arie. I really want to find out what type of music Vietnamese college students listen to; we'll have to exchange iPods.
• TV + Movies - I'm a big TV and movie buff because of my dad. This year I hardly watched any TV and I went to the movies a lot less, and I'm starting to watch a lot of things on the Internet. Some of my favorite TV shows are LOST, Project Runway, Jeopardy, Family Guy, and Law and Order : SVU. My favorite movies are Avatar, I Am Legend, Gladiator, The Bourne Series, The Dark Knight, and The Devil Wears Prada.

Other Interest + Activities:

• Tennis - I play it almost everyday in the summer
• Talking - I admit I like to talk and laugh a lot
• Musicals and Plays
• Volunteering
• Eating - I love FOOD!

See you guys in a few weeks!
2.Brandon William Ebenhoeh

DOB: April 29, 1989

Hometown: Roseville, MI, USA

Interests:

Theater~ I have been involved

in theater productions since high school and have continued in college. I get to sing, dance, and act. I recently was in a show called "HAIR."

This show is about a group of friends in the 1960's dealing with the Vietnam War draft and protesting the war, discovering themselves, and having fun! That's a picture from the show.

Soccer~ I love soccer. I have been playing since I could walk!

American Sign Language~ I currently am learning ASL at UM. I really enjoy learning about other language and cultures! This helped spark my interest in becoming a Speech Therapist after college. I can teach you some signs while we are in Vietnam!

Traveling~ I have been to places all over the USA including New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Maine, Tennessee, Maryland, Alabama, Disney World, and many more. My favorite place to go on vacation to is Pentwater, MI! It is this awesome small town on Lake Michigan. My entire family goes here ever August. My other favorite place to travel is Washington D.C. I love the city and the people. I want to live here once I finish college!

My other interests are:

~University of Michigan Football!

~Being a resident Advisor

~Dogs!

~Chess

~Working at Summer Camp

~Baseball

~Driving in my Car!

~Trying new foods :]

~Cooking and Baking

Favorite Movie: The Blindside, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Sandlot

Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite Music: Acoustic, pop, rock, really anything! I do enjoy Lady Gaga and John Mayer

Favorite TV Show: I am obsessed with reality television!

This is from my summer job!

Feel free to add me on Facebook.

3. Sam Philip West
DOB: May 17, 1991
Hometown: Marquette, MI, USA


Interests:

Stuff I do for fun-I really enjoy playing soccer, skiing, and running, and I hope to be able to run while in Vietnam in order to explore the areas where we will be staying. I also like to learn and play other obscure sports, activities and games such as video, board, or card games.

On Campus- I've been involved with a lot of community service or social justice organizations on campus this year. I've had a lot of fun being able work with other students and community members to work on some task. I have also enjoyed being able to work and learn from community members whom I may not get the chance to talk with if it wasn't for the community service event. I also enjoy going to various sporting events, shows, and movies on campus.

General Stuff- I like to be outdoors and enjoy nature. I'm also willing to try most new things whether it is food or some game.

I'm really excited to meet everyone and if you want to become friends with me on Facebook you can find me under the email address samwest@umich.edu

4. My name is Paul Rink, and I am a junior at the University of Michigan. I am excited to meet and to get to know all of you whether you are from the United States or Vietnam.

Introduction from FIS - Hanoi University- Vietnam

HI FRIENDS!!!
We are students from Falculty of International Studies, Hanoi University. We will join the University of Michigan students to make the GIEU Vietnam 2010 Team . Hope that we will have LOTS of FUNS together!!!
Here is a brief introduction about four members from Vietnam:
1. Nguyen Phuong Chi
My full name is Nguyen Phuong Chi

• D.O.B: 23/05/1989
• Cell phone: 098.282.3589

• Interests:

- Volunteering (I always try to take chances to contribute for community and have fun being an active volunteer :) )
-Travelling ( I did travel to almost every famous places in Vietnam as well as other countries like U.S., Peru, Japan, China and must be some more in the near future :D)

-Reading (social science and romance)
- Shopping
- Creating shapes with cookies (like Lucy in the movie "50 first dates" :D )

My favorite quote: " Smile, it enhances your face value"

More than nice to be friend with all of you !!!!!
See you all in May (also, my birth month :X ) !!!!

2. Do Phuong Linh Nice to meet you!
I’m Linh , 3rd year student of FIS, HANU, and I will welcome my 21 this April :x Beginning the plan of my newly beautiful age is my awaiting journey with you. I’m very much looking forward to meeting with you, and sharing our joyful time with you in my lovely hometown :D
There’s something about me:
- Full name: Do Phuong Linh. My family and friends call me with many “kute” nicknames. (To each person, I have one particular impression-> that may be the reason :p ) I’m happy to be called by nickname, and you can give me one :X
- Birthday: April 13th, 1989
- Email me by dophuonglinh08@gmail.com
- Interests : a lot :D
Travel: Traveling and exploring other regions, getting more knowledge and deep understanding about culture and identity of other areas in the world.
Volunteer: I enjoy the true happiness of doing something for others, and sharing with them happiness.
Friends: I love making friends, chatting and team-working
Book: I like reading and collecting books. And I also dream of writing a book of myself :D
Film and film making ^^
Lake: I love enjoying the pure air and walking along the lakeshore everyday. I love seeing the lake as the heart of every region and community
Cook and dance: I love Food and Music-one can nourish my body, and the other cherishes my soul :D
- My favorite quote: Winners never quit, quitters never win!

3. Pham Thuy Ngan

Hi guys,
I’m Ngan, a 3rd year student of FIS ( Faculty of International Studies). In another word, you can call me FISER. It’s exciting to be part of GIEU Vietnam 2010. We are here, cheerfully waiting for you to be here in our home, Vietnam. Hope that we will have great time together.

Then, here are some lines about me:
Name: Pham Thuy Ngan.
I live near West Lake, which is the largest and most beautiful lake in Hanoi.
Cell phone: 0902 060 389
Interests:
Travel It has become part of my life from which I can find myself
Volunteer: It came to me by chance but attracts me until now and I know it’ll attract me always, cause I love to do something with all my heart and my ability. It brings me to real life somehow.
Basketball: My favorite sport for a long time, although I haven’t played anymore I still like it
Baseball I like its concept, not just the game only
Dance I even don’t know how to dance but I like to move with the music so I’ll learn asap :D
You can find me in crowd by my smile. The characteristic which makes me different is curiosity. This one also makes me love to pursue new ideas :p
Finally, my quote is “ Nothing is impossible” :X

4. Phung Thi Minh Yen

Hi GIEU team.
I am Yen, 20 years old, a 2nd year student of Hanoi University. I am so excited to be a part of GIEU 2010 and cant wait to start. I like meeting new friends, discovering new things, traveling as much as possible to keep my eyes open and get more real experience. My favorite sports are badminton and chess, I would be thrilled if any of you is crazy for chess!!! Apart from interesting programs mentioned in our itinerary, I love to go to the post office in every province to send postcards to families and buddies. Hope my few words can help you know more about myself, I am looking forward to seeing you all. Let’s make GIEU a success and lots of funs!

Some photos of campus - Hanoi University

Entrance from gate

View from C Building

D Building

Library

Welcome to Khoa Quoc Te Hoc.

FIS:

If I were now in the senior year of high school and still deciding what program I should apply, I would still choose Faculty of International Studies (FIS). The program offers students a wide variety of knowledge such as economics, social science, mostly focus on cross-culture and international relations. I have to admit the heavy load of so many assignments, full schedule all week that make many Fisers stressed but at the end of the day, what we’ve got is experience and confidence. We are taught by multi-national qualified and enthusiastic lectures, study with very up-dated syllabi and reading materials. Our motto is “learn hard, play smart”, FIS teaching staff encourages students to join many interesting activities and exchange programs, and GIEU is among them.

Welcome all of you, our hearts are always open!

GIEU Vietnam - VIET journey (May, 2010)

GIEU Vietnam 2010 – VIET journey '
(May 3 – May 29, 2010)
Volunteer - Take part in community service in various locations in Vietnam to help young children and people in need.
Interaction - Make more friends in Vietnam, take part in collaborative volunteer projects.
Education- Learn about education system and various aspects of life in Vietnam.
Travel - Travel throughout the country from North to Center and South of Vietnam to experience life from many parts of the country

While many students are aware of the ways in which the Viet Nam war has permeated American politics and culture, very few are cognizant of the rich cultural traditions in Viet Nam or that it is among the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia today. Accordingly, this project intends to study the dichotomy between tradition and modernity as Viet Nam becomes further connected to the global economy. In addition, through service work with several NGOs, it will expose Michigan undergraduates to the human consequences and lasting legacies of war while promoting a greater understanding of Viet Nam’s growing importance to today’s global economy.

Xin chào!

My name is ThuyAnh, I am GIEU Teaching Fellow, one of the leaders of the group. My name often goes by TA, which I can come up with some nice names such as The Ambassador, True Adventurer, etc.

I am from, Hanoi, Vietnam. So it's always great to show other people my country. I am also happy that we can travel and do some meaningful work in Vietnam through our community service as well. This is going to be my third trip with GIEU. I hope I can tell more later about the trip. But I think my picture from Dong Ha tells more than I can say with a thumb up. I sometimes like to Take Action. That is what TA could possibly mean :)