SEALNet Project Vietnam 2013

Logo for Project Vietnam 2013 !

SEALNet is the best thing I chose to do for the start of my trip abroad! I applied for Project Vietnam because I was going to be here to study abroad anyway and I wanted to do some meaningful work of giving back to the community. I was ultimately accepted into the program, yayy! This particular project brings 15 international college students and 15 local vietnamese college students to come together to work with people with disabilities.




Throughout the two weeks, we built leadership skills, learned each others' stories, and formed strong friendships. The first few days were good, we did a lot of bonding and leadership activities. By the fourth day, we as a team had to re-evaluate our goals and what we wanted to accomplish from the 2 weeks. From that turning point, we started to really focus on what kind of performances and the message we wanted to portray to our audience.

In Vietnam, there is a very bad stigma of people

Circle Painting

who have disabilities. The streets are really tough to walk through and especially get around by wheelchair because the sidewalk tends to be narrow and have broken tiles. There are too many cars and motorbikes, so it is difficult to cross the street, and it is near impossible to get on a city bus because the stairs are very steep and there aren't ramps available. There are laws in Vietnam that help people with disabilities, but they aren't enforced well or at all. Thus, we wanted to showcase our friends from the Disability Resource D through a special performance free to anyone to change the misconception of people with disabilities.
                                                                     
When I first met our friends with disabilities, I noticed right away that they are not much different from anyone else. In fact, they were so talented! They could sing and play instruments really well, and one fella could even wheelchair dance. I learned so much from them and their stories and I am truly appreciative to have met them!

By the end of the two weeks, we had such an amazing performance!! It involved a skit with dance and singing performances. I had a minor acting role with 3 lines and I was so proud to do. I guess my acting class and improving vietnamese language skills did the trick and I nailed it (made people laugh:) There were also 3 famous vietnamese singers who sang to support the cause, which is nice. Although, I felt that we were a little overshadowed but it's okay!

SEALNet was such a meaningful experience and the best transition into my next 3 months here in Vietnam. I just have so many good things to say about it! I made some really close native Vietnamese and internatiional friends. And it has just been a blast joking around in Vietnamese, going crazy at Karaoke, and having deep meaningful talks at night.  I will forever remember the memories I've made with the amazing group that is Project Vietnam 2013! :]

After the show :]

Dancing and singing :]

Some of my closest friends from SEALNet <3

Flashmob!!