Blog: Vietnam and Thailand: Asia's Hidden Treasures
About this blog
Vietnam and Thailand: Asia's Hidden Treasures
Amanda Moore
Global Studies/Public Relations, Class of 2014
Vietnam / Thailand
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - 11:12pm
June 20th - 22nd
10:49 p.m.
WOW…finding words to describe the sensation we felt as we stared up at the ancient stone masterpieces — Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom— is near impossible. WOW is probably the best and only way of even coming remotely close to capturing that moment and feeling.
Da, our Tuk Tuk driver, zig-zags through traffic as he drives us around to see the ancient Khme ... More
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - 11:19am
June 19th 9:00 p.m.
The train whistle suddenly erupts in a high-pitched shriek, jolting us to attention. Rumbling shakes the train car alive and we slowly feel the car shift beneath us. We are all electrified with energy, we have been looking forward to traveling to Cambodia to see the various temples that adorn the country’s landscape.
We departed from Bangkok around 5:55 a.m. and arr ... More
Monday, June 18, 2012 - 11:42am
June 17th 4:05 p.m.
Over the course of the past few weeks, our group has thoroughly enjoyed learning about business practices and the rich cultures —foods, dances and customs — of Southeast Asia. We honestly cannot believe how quickly the trip has gone by.
As the trip comes to its end, contradicting emotions begin to mix inside our heads. On one hand, we are excited to return ... More
Monday, June 18, 2012 - 11:41am
Bangkok: A Shopper’s Paradise
June 16th 4:09 p.m.
With only two days left until we return to the United States, many of us still need to purchase last minute souvenirs and gifts for friends and family members. What better place to purchases these items than at one of the LARGEST markets in the world?
Luckily, the Thai students in our Entrepreneurship class knew exactly where to take us ... More
Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 2:42am
Our group showing the Thai students and professors how to “wobble” ... More
Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 2:39am
June 13th 10:43 p.m.
Staring at the projector screen, our jaws hit the floor in sheer amazement. A look of awe sweeps over our faces. Never in our lives have we witnessed someone bicycle kick a ball over a volleyball net.
Our Thai professor has just shown us a video about Takro Lot Huang (Thailand Vs Malaysia” Final ”2011 Sepak Takraw World Cup Part 2), a ... More
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 6:17am
Kaeng Khiao Wan Kai
(Green Curry with Chicken)
Ingredients:
1 lb. beef and/or chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
3 cups coconut milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup green curry paste
1/2 eggplant, chunks (Not the purple eggplant we think of these are small, round and green)
4 kaffir lime leaves, shredded
5 green-red spur chillies, diagonally sliced
1 cup s ... More
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 1:47am
June 11th 11:10 p.m.
The mouth-watering aroma of spicy peppers and sizzling meats fill the air of our classroom. Standing in a semi-circle, we look on as our Thai professor adds ingredient after ingredient to the simmering silver pan.
We began our cooking class by making spring rolls and then moved on to more advanced dishes: green curry (Kaeng Khian Wan Kai), pork and basil (Kai Phat Bai Krapra ... More
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - 1:25am
June 8th, 9th, and 10th 10:50 p.m.
Standing in front of the university hotel, we anxiously wait for Dr. Powell’s instructions. He tells us we are going to be taking the public bus to Pattaya, a tourist town about two hours away from Burapha University. Ten minutes pass and a pick-up truck with a metal seating attachment parks in front of the hotel. This truck-like cre ... More
Saturday, June 9, 2012 - 10:34am
June 5th – 6th 7:54 p.m.
สวัสดี (sa wat dee)
(Hello)
Hello is just one of the many phrases that we have learned in our Thai language and culture class. For the past two days, we have been extensively studying basic Thai phrases and vocabulary, such as greetings, how to order food, numbers and shopping terminology. We have even tried our hand at learning how to w ... More
Friday, June 8, 2012 - 10:01am
Global Village Promotional Video created by Tyler Norwood
Sorry for jumping back to our time in Vietnam, but this video was created by one of the students on our trip. It is absolutely amazing, please check it out!
Global Village (http://globalvillagefoundation.org/) was the non-profit organization we volunteered with in Vietnam. ... More
Friday, June 8, 2012 - 9:14am
June 4th and 5th 11:45 p.m.
Staring off into the distance, towering skyscrapers begin to look like faint shadows and vanish into the horizon. We are making our way from Bangkok to Bangsaen. For the remainder of the trip, we will call Bangsaen home. We will study with students at Burapha University International College (BUUIC) (http://buuic.buu.ac.th/ic/) and be fully eme ... More
Friday, June 8, 2012 - 9:02am
June 3rd 10:55 p.m.
Water lightly laps against the tiny hull of the boat. Wind whips through our hair as we weave through the labyrinth-like water canal. Tropical trees line the sides of the canal, providing us with shade from the hot sun.
We are taking a boat called a longtail to reach the Floating Market (http://floatingmarketbangkok.com/). A longtail is a brightly decorated b ... More
Thursday, June 7, 2012 - 6:48am
Angkor Wat model
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace ... More
Thursday, June 7, 2012 - 2:19am
June 2nd 11:25 p.m.
“Welcome to Thailand, the land of smiles,” our tour guide announced over the bus intercom system. Our bus is outfitted with a florescent flower print. We arrived in Thailand around noon and were greeted by Dr. Ben Powell, the professor overseeing the Thailand portion of the trip.
As we make our way from the airport green, hot pink, yellow, blue - a rainbow of co ... More
Saturday, June 2, 2012 - 8:06pm
June 1st 11:30 p.m.
Today marks our last day in Vietnam. We honestly cannot believe how quickly the trip has gone by. We have seen, learned and tasted many things since our arrival. Every day in Vietnam has been an extraordinary experience.
Today was no different. We started our day off by heading to the United States Consulate’s office. We spoke with two representatives about the work that ... More
Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 11:11am
May 30th 11:04 p.m.
The Vietnam War was traumatic for both the United States and Vietnam. As you travel across the country there are various sites to visit that either played a significant role during the War or currently display war relics, such as photography, machinery and clothing.
Today we visited two of the many sites in Ho Chi Minh City dedicated to the Vietnam W ... More
Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 11:11am
May 29th 12:01 a.m.
Around 10 o’clock in the morning we departed from Pilgrimage Village and headed to the Hue International Airport. We are heading back to Ho Chi Minh City before we depart for the second half of our adventure and learning experience in Thailand.
We are staying at the Blue Diamond Hotel for the remainder of our stay in Vietnam (http://www.blu ... More
Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 11:11am
May 28th 10:53p.m.
As we weave through Huế’s traffic in our green taxi cab, we pass by various street vendors and shops selling postcards and other novelty items. We are going to visit the Citadel (http://www.vietnam-beauty.com/cities/87-the-citadel-of-hue-city.html), a historic structure that housed Vietnamese royalty.
This massive structure is comprised of three parts: Kin ... More
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 8:41am
Drive to Hue
Drive to Hue
The Citadel - Hue
The Citadel - Hue
The Citadel - Hue
The Citadel - Hue ... More
The first time Amanda Moore traveled overseas, she was so moved by the people she met that she changed her major and her career path, turning from wanting to make “big bucks as a CEO” to working to improve human rights.
That was after working on an organic farm in Costa Rica during an Alternative Spring Break trip her freshman year. Now, she’s heading to Thailand and Vietnam to study entrepreneurship for five weeks.
What discoveries will the Appalachian State University student from Pamlico County make this time? Read her blog and find out.
“I feel very comfortable overseas. I’ve very excited about this trip and want to share what I learn,” said Moore, a senior double majoring in global studies and communication, with minors in French and non-profit management.
Even within the United States, Moore hasn’t missed an opportunity to learn about others and to help make the world a better place. Her resume is packed with experiences many people only dream about undertaking:
- Led an 11-person Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trip to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary in Woodstock, N.Y., to build fences, clear barns and care for the animals
- Worked with renewable energy initiatives with the JOBS Project in West Virginia during an ASB trip
- Got a job with the Watauga County Humane Society after volunteering there through AmeriCorps
- Spearheaded a $10,000 fundraising campaign for Horse Helpers of the High Country as an intern
- Worked with a Farmworkers Health Program and local domestic violence shelter through service-learning courses
- Attended the Amnesty International Southern Conference in Charlotte
- Participated in activities of the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway student chapter
The first-generation college student is also active in campus’s ImpACT and ACT OUT groups related to community service, and she is working toward starting a center at Appalachian devoted to social justice and human rights.
“Every act is meaningful and has purpose and can really give direction for your life,” Moore said. “A lot of doors have opened for me at Appalachian.”
About her trip
This five-week program in Vietnam and Thailand focuses on entrepreneurial knowledge and skills for Southeast Asia. In 2010, Business Week ranked Vietnam No. 1 in profit outlook with 92 percent of companies in Vietnam expected to have increased profits. Thailand’s economy ranks in the top 15 percent worldwide. Students will learn through a combination of traditional classroom settings, company visits, guest speakers, interactive projects, and organized cultural activities, while experiencing the juxtaposition of “old” and “new” Vietnam and Thailand.
Upcoming events
| May 27 | ISESA information session |
| May 30 | ISESA information session |
| Jun 3 | ISESA information session |
| Jun 10 | ISESA information session |
| Jun 17 | ISESA information session |
