Highline hopes to go study abroad in Vietnam in spring 2022.
Jenn Ritchey, the manager of Global Initiatives at Highline, and Sam Kaplan, director of the Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management, hope to travel to Vietnam with students this spring if conditions permit, and, if possible, to also visit companies in Washington state.
The whole idea of the study abroad program is to follow the supply chain, so what they will be doing is following products that have some kind of connection with products that originated in Washington and also Vietnam.
“What we did in the past was we followed Brooks shoes and apples that were farmed here in Washington state,” Ritchey said. “We visited Wenatchee where the apples were grown and we visited Brooks headquarters in Fremont, and were able to see the shoes as they were being designed and you think about what happens behind the scenes of a shoe. And what happens behind the scenes for those apples to get all throughout the world.
“When we went to Vietnam we visited several different ports and thought a lot about the whole process of shipping as well as air cargo,” she said. “And we also visited a factory in Vietnam for the Brooks shoes, so that we followed the product. And it was absolutely amazing to think about what happens with shoe production and all of the components.”
Ritchey said they have worked to make this program more affordable for students.
“Normally, when people think about studying abroad, they anticipate that it’s going to cost thousands of dollars,” she said. “But what is really cool about this study abroad is that we are partnering with a couple of different universities and companies within this area. It means that students can go on this trip at the cost of $500.”
Ritchey said they would work with students to find ways to pay for the trip.
“We really do want to make sure that the cost is not a barrier for anyone going, is having the $500 to be able to go,” she said.
At least four students from Highline can go, Ritchey said.
“We led a group of 16 students from Tacoma, Wenatchee Valley and North Seattle College and four students from Highline in 2019, so this is our second time leading this trip,” she said.
“One of our students got a job from the trip,” said Sam Kaplan
“Running Start students can participate in this trip. If you are under the age of 18, we do have to get signatures and permissions from the parents and guardians. We do take special care that any participant is mature enough to travel internationally and represent the college in a great manner,” said Sam Kaplan.
Applications for the program are due by Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. Payment for the program will be due by Feb. 3, 2022. The trip to Vietnam will be March 25-April 3, 2022.
“We are planning to have three Zoom sessions with Experts in Washington and Vietnam,” said Kaplan.
Organizers are working with health professionals here in Washington and in Vietnam to determine whether it will be safe and feasible to travel. All participants and organizers must be vaccinated at least 15 calendar days prior to the departure date to vietnam.
All participant ad organizers must be in compliance with U.S., Vietnam, and other international travel rules and regulations, including any required COVID testing and mask mandates on public transportation and within public buildings.
For more information about the program, contact Jenn Ritchey at jritchey@highline.edu
To find the application, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejETjUli97IjhCE5qn_L0L-Dp6w5zbZDJFn3TsZfPdWslu7g/viewform