By Freya Banks

International Business Management Undergraduate

Over the past two weeks, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the GoGlobal Summer School programme at the British University in Vietnam with Manchester Metropolitan University Business School! This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and immersed me in Vietnam’s culture, business environment, and approach to sustainability.

One of the highlights was participating in a design thinking hackathon, where our team was challenged to develop an innovative and sustainable social enterprise that could create long-term positive impact for local communities. We designed a feasible project charter, identified key stakeholders, and explored ways to mitigate operational and financial challenges. I’m proud to share that our team Zoe Kanabar, Evie Bridgford, Rebecca Russell, and Callum Purchase achieved second place with our social enterprise “Mưa Văng”, a rainwater harvesting system designed to support communities like Mai Châu, where crop production is heavily impacted by water fluctuations.

Beyond the presentation skills, teamwork skills and communication skills that this programme enabled me to develop, it allowed me to learn beyond the classroom. A key memory for me was visiting Mai Châu and learning first-hand about the culture of the Thái people, from taking part in their traditional dances and enjoying their local cuisine.

We also had the opportunity to visit Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we took in Vietnam’s beautiful landscapes whilst participating in a litter-picking initiative. Another memorable moment was visiting GAEA, a local social enterprise in Hanoi, where we learned about how the organisation balances sustainable business practices with meaningful social impact.

This programme also included a Vietnamese language class and an engaging lecture by Christopher Jeffery, which provided a fascinating overview of Vietnam’s history, culture, and economic development. We also visited FPT Software where we gained insight into their innovative culture and international business practices. These sessions helped me appreciate Vietnam from both an academic and cultural perspective.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and would like to express my gratitude to Manchester Metropolitan University Business School and British University Vietnam for organising such an inspiring programme. I would also like to thank Dr Joanna (Asia) Alder, Pamela Reckert, Dr. Opeoluwa Aiyenitaju, Liz Warren, Stewart Morrell MIH, CMBE and everyone involved in supporting and organising such an impactful experience.

Overall, this experience has been unforgettable. I’ve learned so much, gained lifelong memories and friendships, and developed a more global and innovative mindset that I’m excited to carry forward into my studies and future career.