Vietnam Trip 2025

Vietnam Trip 2025

Ten Claremont McKenna students traveled with three professors to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to participate in in-depth discussions with Vietnamese professors and policy experts in universities, think tanks and the United Nations in order to study two themes of the trip:

(1) Legacies of Vietnam’s experience with colonialism and war.

(2) Vietnam’s  integration into regional and global supply chains. 

 
 

  • The first day in Ho Chi Minh City, general sightseeing.

  • Students visited a network of underground rooms and tunnels used during the Vietnam-American War.

  • Professors Nicolas Weber and Vu Mionh Hoang speak about Vietnamese history. Later, students heard from Professors Cong and Tam on Vietnam’s education system.

  • Students visited Chua Vinh Trang Pagoda and a Buddhist temple.

  • Students bonded with Vu Minh and Kim Doan during their first night in Hanoi.

  • Dr. Quang Hoan Troung lectures students on Vietnam’s adaptation strategy in the context of global value chain disruptions following Donald Trump’s reelection.

  • UN Program Analyst and gender disaster risk reduction expert Luong Nhu Oanh spoke with students about women, sustainability and development.

  • Dr. Hoang Manh Cuong and Dr. Pham The Anth discuss Vietnam’s growth and development.

Itinerary

Taiwan-Singapore Trip 2024

Taiwan-Singapore Trip 2024

Claremont McKenna students engaging in insightful discussions with prominent journalists and experts working on East Asian and Southeast Asian affairs, gaining valuable knowledge and perspectives in the field.

 
 

*** Amazing Food, Stunning Architecture, Vibrant Culture ***

Itinerary

  • Meeting with Dr. Shirley Lin and her team.

  • Professor Pei delivered a public lecture on his book, The Sentinel State.

  • Dinner at Pearl Liang (Grand Hyatt)

  • Lunch and discussion about Chairman Lee’s experiences managing cross-strait relations and shaping Taiwanese foreign policy.

  • Meeting with Professor Alfred Schipke and his team.

  • Dinner at Singapore’s Raffles Hotel and discussion on Mr. Crabtree’s career and his book The Billionaire Raj.

  • Breakfast and discussion.

Thailand Trip 2023

Thailand Trip 2023

International Relations students engaging with experts, academics, and UN officials during Keck’s Winter 2023 trip to Thailand.

 

Itinerary

  • Visisted Wat Traimit, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun—as well as other city sights such as markets and ethnic minority neighborhoods. This is a great tour for first-time visitors to Bangkok as students were able to learn about the culture and religions of Thailand.

  • Lecture was given by by Dr.Thuttai Keeratipongpaiboon, Director of International Strategy and Coordination Division at the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

  • Presentation on "ASEAN Payment Connectivity" with the introduction of regional integration by Mr. Pariwat Kanithasen, Deputy Director, Payments Systems Policy Department. Students also visited the Bank of Thailand’s Museum, a learning center about currency/monetary system development in Thailand.

  • Presentation “Thailand’s History, Society, and Politics: Evolution, Development and Prospects” by Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak.

    Presentation “EU-ASEAN Relations: Normative Bases, Prospects, and Challenges” by Professor Natthanan Kunnamas.

    Presentation “Human Rights/Human Security and Asean” by Professor Kasira Cheeppensook.

  • The UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN/ESCAP) presented an overview of UN/ESCAP and Economic and Social Survey by Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development.

  • Presentation “Economic Policies for an Inclusive Recovery and Development” by Professor Bunyasiri.

  • Private tour to Kanchanaburi Erawan Waterfall and elephant care.