Today January 7th was our first full day of
classes where we began by waking up early for a class with Mr. Fincher about
Vietnamese history and labor. We learned about the wide spread influence of
Marxism on the country’s culture and government which determined the way the
country’s labor system functions currently and how French colonialism and
cultures from other Asian countries contribute to Vietnam’s unique
socioeconomic structure. Vietnam’s communist government but capitalistic
economy entails a labor market that is heavily regulated by the government,
meaning that most unions, NGO’s, and businesses have certain legal limitations
such as representation, production, and negotiation in which they must operate.
Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the dynamics between management and
labor in Vietnam are nowhere parallel to the relationship between management
and labor in the U.S. as it follows a tripartite structure. The class then
entered into a dialogue comparing the two systems, having Mr. Fincher giving
some of his own thoughts and insights.
Later
that day we were able to have our first debate workshop. Both Cornell and TDTU
students learned the basic mechanics of debate and engaged in a short exercise
of “last one on the hot air balloon” justifying why you, being anyone or
anything, should be left to survive. The room was immediately filled with
laughter and excitement as students took on silly roles such as love, gravity,
and a GPS device. It was a great opportunity to not only hone our debating
skills but to have fun with the Vietnamese students.
Finally, after a long day we all went out to grab dinner. The food was amazing; especially being able to try local favorites such as Vietnamese Pizza, Tamarind Tea, and Quail Eggs. It was a great time for us to get to know the Vietnamese students better, hearing their jokes and stories. Yet, things got a little crazy when the Vietnamese students refused to let us pay for the bill. We were so grateful for their hospitality and kindness and hoped that we could return the favor next dinner. --Paul
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