Day 1: January 4
By: Omar Atcho
12:03 am
I’m sound asleep. Somehow I’ve managed to curl up and fit my entire body on my cozy economy class seat. The Japanese stewardess pokes me until I wake up and utters something to me in broken English. My ears haven’t popped yet, I have no idea what she said. I rub my eyes, yawn, and shake my head at her to communicate that I have no idea what she wants from me. She gives me a stern look and points to the “Fasten Seatbelt” sign. Apparently we're about to land. I fasten my seatbelt and rummage through my bag until I find what it is I'm looking for. Found it. I unwrap one of the melon flavored Kit Kats I bought in the Tokyo airport before departing, toss both sticks into my mouth, and go back to sleep until we land…
6:45 am
The sound of church bells fills the room. It's my alarm going off. I snooze for another 10 minutes, I'm still beat from the past week. Eventually I make it out of bed. I manage to wake up George during the whole process. My bad bro…
7:30 am
Breakfast looks good, but I decide to head to the Circle K nearby to grab cigarettes and some water first. I'm so thirsty. I ask the lady at the front desk for directions, but she has no clue what I'm asking. I think I just confused her. I say thank you and walk past the smiling doormen down the front steps of the Paragon Saigon Hotel. It's hot, so hot. I Google the nearest Circle K and head out. The streets are live. Every few meters I see another old lady selling pho out of her makeshift rollaway kitchen. I’m so hungry. There’s the Circle K…
10:00 am
After breakfast, we walked to Loyola’s Vietnam Center. Walking in the streets of Saigon is definitely everything that the Professor said it would be--crazy and hectic but you just have to keep walking without stopping. The LUC Vietnam Center was refreshingly air-conditioned and it was great spending the first half of our time there listening to the Loyola staff discuss the opportunities undergrads receive when spending a semester in Vietnam. I think one day I would love to come back and work for Loyola abroad at one of the centers to further culturally enrich not only myself, but other students. After hearing from the Loyola staff, we got the opportunity to listen to a few business professionals who lived and worked in Vietnam. I loved listening to the lawyer discuss the differences between working in the U.S. and working in Vietnam, especially in regards to intellectual property rights. Listening to Jim speak was also interesting, since he had globe-trotted and lived most of his life abroad. I was fascinated by the fact that he was able to get away with working in this country without having a full command of the language. One of Professor’s students also came and spoke to us and she was really inspiring as a leader for me personally. Not only did she seem open-minded and extremely intelligent, she was a woman leader and business professional in an Asian culture, that I had previously told was extremely patriarchal (as most Asian cultures). I hung onto every word she spoke and took notes on how she ran her company. I was especially amazed when she said that personally attends every single interview even though she always has a packed schedule.
4:48 pm
Naina just handed me some iced coffee. I'm not sure if she’s poisoned it, but it's hot outside and it looks awesome. I'm going to take my chances. We just boarded the bus after leaving the War Remnants museum. Pretty sick stuff. This coffee is incredible. I think we just left without Demi. LOLOLOL We definitely left without Demi…
10:37 pm
There’s Blanchy’s. I walk towards the bar and the doorman opens the door to a dark, smoke-filled room and ushers me in. The music is way too loud. I spot everyone in the back corner. I say hello and someone immediately hands me a drink and passes me the hookah. Something smacks me in the back of the head. I turn and see a very pretty, Vietnamese waitress walking away steadily. She's got an incredibly long pony tail. I think she hit me in the head with her pony tail... I think I'm in love… Vietnam is awesome.
12:03 am
I’m sound asleep. Somehow I’ve managed to curl up and fit my entire body on my cozy economy class seat. The Japanese stewardess pokes me until I wake up and utters something to me in broken English. My ears haven’t popped yet, I have no idea what she said. I rub my eyes, yawn, and shake my head at her to communicate that I have no idea what she wants from me. She gives me a stern look and points to the “Fasten Seatbelt” sign. Apparently we're about to land. I fasten my seatbelt and rummage through my bag until I find what it is I'm looking for. Found it. I unwrap one of the melon flavored Kit Kats I bought in the Tokyo airport before departing, toss both sticks into my mouth, and go back to sleep until we land…
6:45 am
The sound of church bells fills the room. It's my alarm going off. I snooze for another 10 minutes, I'm still beat from the past week. Eventually I make it out of bed. I manage to wake up George during the whole process. My bad bro…
7:30 am
Breakfast looks good, but I decide to head to the Circle K nearby to grab cigarettes and some water first. I'm so thirsty. I ask the lady at the front desk for directions, but she has no clue what I'm asking. I think I just confused her. I say thank you and walk past the smiling doormen down the front steps of the Paragon Saigon Hotel. It's hot, so hot. I Google the nearest Circle K and head out. The streets are live. Every few meters I see another old lady selling pho out of her makeshift rollaway kitchen. I’m so hungry. There’s the Circle K…
10:00 am
After breakfast, we walked to Loyola’s Vietnam Center. Walking in the streets of Saigon is definitely everything that the Professor said it would be--crazy and hectic but you just have to keep walking without stopping. The LUC Vietnam Center was refreshingly air-conditioned and it was great spending the first half of our time there listening to the Loyola staff discuss the opportunities undergrads receive when spending a semester in Vietnam. I think one day I would love to come back and work for Loyola abroad at one of the centers to further culturally enrich not only myself, but other students. After hearing from the Loyola staff, we got the opportunity to listen to a few business professionals who lived and worked in Vietnam. I loved listening to the lawyer discuss the differences between working in the U.S. and working in Vietnam, especially in regards to intellectual property rights. Listening to Jim speak was also interesting, since he had globe-trotted and lived most of his life abroad. I was fascinated by the fact that he was able to get away with working in this country without having a full command of the language. One of Professor’s students also came and spoke to us and she was really inspiring as a leader for me personally. Not only did she seem open-minded and extremely intelligent, she was a woman leader and business professional in an Asian culture, that I had previously told was extremely patriarchal (as most Asian cultures). I hung onto every word she spoke and took notes on how she ran her company. I was especially amazed when she said that personally attends every single interview even though she always has a packed schedule.
4:48 pm
Naina just handed me some iced coffee. I'm not sure if she’s poisoned it, but it's hot outside and it looks awesome. I'm going to take my chances. We just boarded the bus after leaving the War Remnants museum. Pretty sick stuff. This coffee is incredible. I think we just left without Demi. LOLOLOL We definitely left without Demi…
10:37 pm
There’s Blanchy’s. I walk towards the bar and the doorman opens the door to a dark, smoke-filled room and ushers me in. The music is way too loud. I spot everyone in the back corner. I say hello and someone immediately hands me a drink and passes me the hookah. Something smacks me in the back of the head. I turn and see a very pretty, Vietnamese waitress walking away steadily. She's got an incredibly long pony tail. I think she hit me in the head with her pony tail... I think I'm in love… Vietnam is awesome.
Day 2: January 5
By: Demitra Giannaras
Our day began with a ride to Saigon Cosmetics Corporation, where two of the company’s executives (one being the founder’s son-in-law), gave us a presentation. SCC was one of the pioneer companies in cosmetics, founded in 1975. The company’s roots are in selling perfume, which was considered a sign of status during that era in Vietnam. Now, the company also offers cologne, shampoo, soap, air freshener, hair gel, and other detergents. I was very impressed by the company’s focus on quality through their investment in R & D and the quality of their materials (such as perfume materials imported from France). They are always developing new products and adapting their existing products to better serve their customers.
SCC currently has 30% of the market share and they are pushing for 50%. Their goal is to reach this benchmark with their “low cost, high value” strategy. After hearing Jim’s concerns the previous day about the focus on cost cutting at the expense of quality, I was a bit concerned after hearing this strategy. However, when the sample products were passed around the table it was clear that the perfumes were of high quality- the scents were very pleasant and lasted the rest of the day and the craftsmanship of the bottles was beautiful. Their perfume bottles are produced from the top ceramics maker in Vietnam, with gold embellishments that are hand painted. Their goal is to bring the essence of Miss Saigon to international standards.
Their marketing was also impressive. They revamped their branding and their advertisements in order to more successfully appeal to their target markets (tourists and sophisticated local customers). Each of their perfume lines is connected to a unique story and an original song. The SCC brand values are rooted in the following three values:
Our second stop was to the Fulbright University Center to see a presentation on the Vietnam economy’s potential and challenges. Vietnam’s inflation rate and exchange rate have stabilized, and their manufacturing industry appears to be improving and growing, which is promising for job growth. However, the country has had a persistent fiscal deficit from 2011-2016. While many countries (notably the U.S.), are able to function with high fiscal deficits this is a problem for Vietnam because of the high interest rates on their debt (6%-7%).
In addition, after analyzing the spread of domestic investments, the bulk appears to be capital investment. The issue with this is that there is no value added if jobs are also not created. The job dilemma may be solved by the projected increased international trade, which is predicted to result in 78% job growth, though it unclear in which industries the job growth will occur. The creation of white collar jobs is desperately needed in Vietnam. Though 25% of the population is college educated, the market does not have enough jobs in order to absorb this group. Educated Vietnamese graduates are flocking to other countries for work.
The presentation was very enlightening and thought provoking, and the banh mi sandwiches that we were served for lunch while at the center were equally unforgettable. I don’t believe that there will ever be another sandwich that will measure up to the quality of that banh mi.
Our last stop was to visit the shopping streets and Ben Thanh Market, where we were able to purchase any and all souvenir items. The market was humongous, with stalls squeezed closely together and filled to the brim with merchandise. Throngs of eager shoppers were weaving through the small aisles, haggling back and forth with the vendors on price. Tati and I tried negotiating with the vendors. Their first question tended to be “Where are you from?” and then they would proceed to charge us prices that were customary in the U.S. We found that the following bartering techniques were the most effective:
Our day began with a ride to Saigon Cosmetics Corporation, where two of the company’s executives (one being the founder’s son-in-law), gave us a presentation. SCC was one of the pioneer companies in cosmetics, founded in 1975. The company’s roots are in selling perfume, which was considered a sign of status during that era in Vietnam. Now, the company also offers cologne, shampoo, soap, air freshener, hair gel, and other detergents. I was very impressed by the company’s focus on quality through their investment in R & D and the quality of their materials (such as perfume materials imported from France). They are always developing new products and adapting their existing products to better serve their customers.
SCC currently has 30% of the market share and they are pushing for 50%. Their goal is to reach this benchmark with their “low cost, high value” strategy. After hearing Jim’s concerns the previous day about the focus on cost cutting at the expense of quality, I was a bit concerned after hearing this strategy. However, when the sample products were passed around the table it was clear that the perfumes were of high quality- the scents were very pleasant and lasted the rest of the day and the craftsmanship of the bottles was beautiful. Their perfume bottles are produced from the top ceramics maker in Vietnam, with gold embellishments that are hand painted. Their goal is to bring the essence of Miss Saigon to international standards.
Their marketing was also impressive. They revamped their branding and their advertisements in order to more successfully appeal to their target markets (tourists and sophisticated local customers). Each of their perfume lines is connected to a unique story and an original song. The SCC brand values are rooted in the following three values:
- Their expertise (30-40 years)
- Ambition (to reach international standards and diversify)
- Pride (to reach international standards in terms of reach and quality)
Our second stop was to the Fulbright University Center to see a presentation on the Vietnam economy’s potential and challenges. Vietnam’s inflation rate and exchange rate have stabilized, and their manufacturing industry appears to be improving and growing, which is promising for job growth. However, the country has had a persistent fiscal deficit from 2011-2016. While many countries (notably the U.S.), are able to function with high fiscal deficits this is a problem for Vietnam because of the high interest rates on their debt (6%-7%).
In addition, after analyzing the spread of domestic investments, the bulk appears to be capital investment. The issue with this is that there is no value added if jobs are also not created. The job dilemma may be solved by the projected increased international trade, which is predicted to result in 78% job growth, though it unclear in which industries the job growth will occur. The creation of white collar jobs is desperately needed in Vietnam. Though 25% of the population is college educated, the market does not have enough jobs in order to absorb this group. Educated Vietnamese graduates are flocking to other countries for work.
The presentation was very enlightening and thought provoking, and the banh mi sandwiches that we were served for lunch while at the center were equally unforgettable. I don’t believe that there will ever be another sandwich that will measure up to the quality of that banh mi.
Our last stop was to visit the shopping streets and Ben Thanh Market, where we were able to purchase any and all souvenir items. The market was humongous, with stalls squeezed closely together and filled to the brim with merchandise. Throngs of eager shoppers were weaving through the small aisles, haggling back and forth with the vendors on price. Tati and I tried negotiating with the vendors. Their first question tended to be “Where are you from?” and then they would proceed to charge us prices that were customary in the U.S. We found that the following bartering techniques were the most effective:
- Rejecting their first offer outright = approximately 25% decrease in price
- Walking away = approximately 40-50% decrease in price
- Casually mentioning that similar products were sold in Thailand for less = 50-60% decrease in price
Day 3: January 6
By: Tatianne Butler
This was the BEST day of the Vietnam experience for me! I’m thankful that I chose to do the optional Cu Chi Tunnels trip, because it turned out to be the highlight of my time in Vietnam. It was amazing to walk the historical paths of the Vietnamese and American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Hearing about the “tricks” of the Vietnamese soldiers was nothing like being able to see some of them in person. I was stunned by the trap demonstrations, including such hellish ones as the “Foot Trap” which almost always ended in amputation, and the “Rolling Trap” which ensured a most painful death.
I was genuinely fascinated by the intelligent design of the tunnels. Learning that the tunnels were actually enhanced for tourists to fit further amazed me because it showed the gravity of their purpose: survival, not comfort! The opportunity to enter the tunnels is one that I can never forget. Walking, squatting, and crawling through them was an excellent sensory experience that gave me a deeper amount of respect for the Vietnamese soldiers that were forced to adapt to this way of existence in defense of their land. I was grateful for the small lights that lit our way through the tunnels because they helped stave off distant feelings of claustrophobia as we pushed deeper into the tunnels. If I’m not mistaken, the three of us who completed the tunnels only explored the first of three levels; since the other two were narrower. As a challenge to myself, I do plan to go deeper into the tunnels on my return trip to Vietnam.
While in the jungle, we also saw bomb craters and an American tank hit by a landmine. These sights added a touch of realism to what I already knew about the weapons of the Vietnam War, and they gave me greater insight into the reality that the soldiers (of both sides) had to endure.
On a lighter note, Tuyen (guide) introduced me to tapioca for the first time at the conclusion of the trip! I appreciated the familiar potato taste and I’d be happy to try it (and its various food forms) again!
We left Vietnam for Cambodia shortly after returning from the Cu Chi Tunnels. That walk simply from the plane into the Siem Reap Airport set a good expectation for the picturesque experience that Cambodia delivered literally from my arrival into the country up until my departure.
This was the BEST day of the Vietnam experience for me! I’m thankful that I chose to do the optional Cu Chi Tunnels trip, because it turned out to be the highlight of my time in Vietnam. It was amazing to walk the historical paths of the Vietnamese and American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Hearing about the “tricks” of the Vietnamese soldiers was nothing like being able to see some of them in person. I was stunned by the trap demonstrations, including such hellish ones as the “Foot Trap” which almost always ended in amputation, and the “Rolling Trap” which ensured a most painful death.
I was genuinely fascinated by the intelligent design of the tunnels. Learning that the tunnels were actually enhanced for tourists to fit further amazed me because it showed the gravity of their purpose: survival, not comfort! The opportunity to enter the tunnels is one that I can never forget. Walking, squatting, and crawling through them was an excellent sensory experience that gave me a deeper amount of respect for the Vietnamese soldiers that were forced to adapt to this way of existence in defense of their land. I was grateful for the small lights that lit our way through the tunnels because they helped stave off distant feelings of claustrophobia as we pushed deeper into the tunnels. If I’m not mistaken, the three of us who completed the tunnels only explored the first of three levels; since the other two were narrower. As a challenge to myself, I do plan to go deeper into the tunnels on my return trip to Vietnam.
While in the jungle, we also saw bomb craters and an American tank hit by a landmine. These sights added a touch of realism to what I already knew about the weapons of the Vietnam War, and they gave me greater insight into the reality that the soldiers (of both sides) had to endure.
On a lighter note, Tuyen (guide) introduced me to tapioca for the first time at the conclusion of the trip! I appreciated the familiar potato taste and I’d be happy to try it (and its various food forms) again!
We left Vietnam for Cambodia shortly after returning from the Cu Chi Tunnels. That walk simply from the plane into the Siem Reap Airport set a good expectation for the picturesque experience that Cambodia delivered literally from my arrival into the country up until my departure.
Day 4: January 7
By: Dina Puthenpurakal
Day 4 of Southeast Asia, which marked the midpoint of our trip. It has been an unbelievable experience thus far and I was especially looking forward to today’s agenda since even before the trip started. Today we were visiting Angkor Wat, one of the biggest temples in the world! We also ended up visiting several other temples in the complex, such as the Royal Palace, Bronze, and Gold Temples. As we made our way through the temples, our tour guide taught us a lot about Buddhism and its core concepts. He explained how Buddhists can’t eat 10 specific meats, and when they do eat meat, it has to be innocent. “Innocent meat” refers to meat acquired from animals that you did not kill yourself, you didn’t tell someone to kill for you, and wasn’t intentionally killed by someone for you. As a meat lover myself, it was fascinating hearing the different religious restrictions and made me wonder how Buddhists today ensure that meat is innocent.
On this day we also got to visit the scenic Tomb Raider Temple, built in 1186, where Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was shot with Angelina Jolie. Each temple was unique in its own way and amazed us all at how well they were doing after hundreds of years of existence. Back in the day, the Angkor tomb was a great city built in the wall and was the home of one million people. At one point, there was backlash in the 13th century, and it got converted into a Hindu temple. Before leaving the temples that day, we learned about the different faces of the Buddha statues and how they represent different virtues such as joy and compassion. We also learned that since the 16th century, women chewed on different plants such as betel leaves because they believed that black teeth was better than white teeth at an old age.
A lot was definitely learned at the temples and we also had a nice lunch at the Angkor Cafe. We concluded the night by visiting the rural night markets and pub street, which was a sensory experience. The streets were lit up at night in many colors, and the markets were bustling with tourists such as myself, trying to haggle our way to getting fake but authentic-looking designer wallets and purses. The U.S. dollar was accepted in Cambodia and I walked away from the night markets with some great bargains!
Day 4 of Southeast Asia, which marked the midpoint of our trip. It has been an unbelievable experience thus far and I was especially looking forward to today’s agenda since even before the trip started. Today we were visiting Angkor Wat, one of the biggest temples in the world! We also ended up visiting several other temples in the complex, such as the Royal Palace, Bronze, and Gold Temples. As we made our way through the temples, our tour guide taught us a lot about Buddhism and its core concepts. He explained how Buddhists can’t eat 10 specific meats, and when they do eat meat, it has to be innocent. “Innocent meat” refers to meat acquired from animals that you did not kill yourself, you didn’t tell someone to kill for you, and wasn’t intentionally killed by someone for you. As a meat lover myself, it was fascinating hearing the different religious restrictions and made me wonder how Buddhists today ensure that meat is innocent.
On this day we also got to visit the scenic Tomb Raider Temple, built in 1186, where Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was shot with Angelina Jolie. Each temple was unique in its own way and amazed us all at how well they were doing after hundreds of years of existence. Back in the day, the Angkor tomb was a great city built in the wall and was the home of one million people. At one point, there was backlash in the 13th century, and it got converted into a Hindu temple. Before leaving the temples that day, we learned about the different faces of the Buddha statues and how they represent different virtues such as joy and compassion. We also learned that since the 16th century, women chewed on different plants such as betel leaves because they believed that black teeth was better than white teeth at an old age.
A lot was definitely learned at the temples and we also had a nice lunch at the Angkor Cafe. We concluded the night by visiting the rural night markets and pub street, which was a sensory experience. The streets were lit up at night in many colors, and the markets were bustling with tourists such as myself, trying to haggle our way to getting fake but authentic-looking designer wallets and purses. The U.S. dollar was accepted in Cambodia and I walked away from the night markets with some great bargains!
Day 5: January 8
By: Sergio Neiza
After breakfast, we visited Banteai Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th century. It was awesome, very beautiful, even though it was not as big as the temples we visited the day before. We also visited Srah Srang, the biggest swimming pool in the world and a royal bath. Our guide talked about the importance to have clean and safe water. It is hard to believe that in these days many people don’t have access to clean water. Water is a treasure and sometimes we waste it. The lunch was at Marum Restaurant, where all of the waiters were students. The food was really good and healthy, especially the sticky rice.
In the afternoon, one hour and a half away from the restaurant, we went to the Great Tonle Sap Lake for a boat ride. Outside the houses, there were lots of whisky bottles full of gas. It is cheaper to buy gas from smugglers than from gas stations. Most of the houses were humble and above the ground level. Healthcare and education are not important. The boat trip was amazing. I’ve never seen a river like this before. The color was awesome and you felt the calm everywhere. Houses and schools were floating villages, moving around depending on the water level in the lake. In some houses, you can see Coca Cola advertisements. It is easier, and sometimes cheaper, to find a coke rather than clean water. After the boat, we went back to the hotel, took a nap, a shower and dressed properly for dinner at Por Cuisine Restaurant. The set menu was delicious, the lobster was the best, and we enjoyed a cultural dance performance (Khmer).
To finish the day, we visited the night market and bought some souvenirs. Some of my friends stayed a while for a massage ($7 for one hour). I went back to the hotel in Tuk-Tuk ($3, four people).
After breakfast, we visited Banteai Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th century. It was awesome, very beautiful, even though it was not as big as the temples we visited the day before. We also visited Srah Srang, the biggest swimming pool in the world and a royal bath. Our guide talked about the importance to have clean and safe water. It is hard to believe that in these days many people don’t have access to clean water. Water is a treasure and sometimes we waste it. The lunch was at Marum Restaurant, where all of the waiters were students. The food was really good and healthy, especially the sticky rice.
In the afternoon, one hour and a half away from the restaurant, we went to the Great Tonle Sap Lake for a boat ride. Outside the houses, there were lots of whisky bottles full of gas. It is cheaper to buy gas from smugglers than from gas stations. Most of the houses were humble and above the ground level. Healthcare and education are not important. The boat trip was amazing. I’ve never seen a river like this before. The color was awesome and you felt the calm everywhere. Houses and schools were floating villages, moving around depending on the water level in the lake. In some houses, you can see Coca Cola advertisements. It is easier, and sometimes cheaper, to find a coke rather than clean water. After the boat, we went back to the hotel, took a nap, a shower and dressed properly for dinner at Por Cuisine Restaurant. The set menu was delicious, the lobster was the best, and we enjoyed a cultural dance performance (Khmer).
To finish the day, we visited the night market and bought some souvenirs. Some of my friends stayed a while for a massage ($7 for one hour). I went back to the hotel in Tuk-Tuk ($3, four people).
Day 6: January 9
By: Dina Puthenpurakal
January 9th--our last day in Cambodia. Admittedly, before we started the trip, I had no idea what to expect from visiting Cambodia. However, by the end of our time there, I had realized that it was such a history and culture-rich country, that I never wanted to leave. The poverty that I witnessed there was even more drastic than what I’ve experienced in other Asian countries such as India, but it was great visiting NGOs that try to turn the living conditions around each and every single day. One such NGO that we visited was called EGBOK which stood for Everything is Going to be OK! Hearing the work that this NGO does in providing educational and work opportunities for Cambodian residents was inspiring, and by the time we left, a few of us were considering coming back and volunteering with them in the future. They are an incredible organization definitely worth checking out! Artisans d’Angkor is also another NGO that we were able to visit. We had the opportunity to witness and learn more about the artisans creating their crafts, and my favorite fact about the organization is that all of its employees receive health insurance packages. As a health systems management major in undergrad, this brought me much joy.
After visiting the NGOs, we visited a market, the Killing Fields Memorial, and made our way on towards Bangkok, Thailand, the destination that we were all waiting for! Many of us signed up for the Bangkok Airways frequent flyer program, and feasted on delicious treats in our airport lounge while waiting for the flight. Upon landing, we could already tell that Thailand was much different and more advanced than the previous two countries. As opposed to the streets being taken over by tuk-tuks and motorbikes, the Thai roads were filled with cars quickly advancing from one destination to the next. As we made our way to the hotel, our tour guide (who we could already tell was hilarious) told us how Bangkok is referred to as the city of angels and the Venice of the East, and that its real name isn’t even Bangkok! Bangkok’s real name is over 160 letters long and the locals even made a song to remember it all!
After learning how to say hello (sawadee ka for females) and thank you (kup kun ka for females), we retired to our rooms to get ready for dinner at a restaurant called Cabbages & Condoms. As is the title, the restaurant overall was definitely unique and not like any other restaurant I’ve been to. All of the decorations were essentially covered with condoms, and there was even a large Santa Claus made of condoms. I had a delicious chicken pad see ew, my favorite Thai dish of all time, while I was there and appreciated the restaurant founder’s advocacy for sexual health.
January 9th--our last day in Cambodia. Admittedly, before we started the trip, I had no idea what to expect from visiting Cambodia. However, by the end of our time there, I had realized that it was such a history and culture-rich country, that I never wanted to leave. The poverty that I witnessed there was even more drastic than what I’ve experienced in other Asian countries such as India, but it was great visiting NGOs that try to turn the living conditions around each and every single day. One such NGO that we visited was called EGBOK which stood for Everything is Going to be OK! Hearing the work that this NGO does in providing educational and work opportunities for Cambodian residents was inspiring, and by the time we left, a few of us were considering coming back and volunteering with them in the future. They are an incredible organization definitely worth checking out! Artisans d’Angkor is also another NGO that we were able to visit. We had the opportunity to witness and learn more about the artisans creating their crafts, and my favorite fact about the organization is that all of its employees receive health insurance packages. As a health systems management major in undergrad, this brought me much joy.
After visiting the NGOs, we visited a market, the Killing Fields Memorial, and made our way on towards Bangkok, Thailand, the destination that we were all waiting for! Many of us signed up for the Bangkok Airways frequent flyer program, and feasted on delicious treats in our airport lounge while waiting for the flight. Upon landing, we could already tell that Thailand was much different and more advanced than the previous two countries. As opposed to the streets being taken over by tuk-tuks and motorbikes, the Thai roads were filled with cars quickly advancing from one destination to the next. As we made our way to the hotel, our tour guide (who we could already tell was hilarious) told us how Bangkok is referred to as the city of angels and the Venice of the East, and that its real name isn’t even Bangkok! Bangkok’s real name is over 160 letters long and the locals even made a song to remember it all!
After learning how to say hello (sawadee ka for females) and thank you (kup kun ka for females), we retired to our rooms to get ready for dinner at a restaurant called Cabbages & Condoms. As is the title, the restaurant overall was definitely unique and not like any other restaurant I’ve been to. All of the decorations were essentially covered with condoms, and there was even a large Santa Claus made of condoms. I had a delicious chicken pad see ew, my favorite Thai dish of all time, while I was there and appreciated the restaurant founder’s advocacy for sexual health.
Day 7: January 10
By: Safia Kaleem
After arriving in Thailand the night before, this was our first full day in Thailand as a class. We had breakfast at the Century Park Hotel and departed to see the Grand Palace. We were a bit delayed due to an outpouring of rain. Due to the heavy rain, we had to purchase waterproof ponchos and bring jackets to keep us dry. However, it was worth it because the Royal Grand Palace was a beautiful sight to see! Since it was raining that day, it was not overly crowded so we were able to scurry through the Palace in a timely fashion. We also saw the Royal Temple which was built by King Rama in 1782 who belonged to the Chakri Dynasty. We were also able to see the famous Emerald Buddha which had gold and various gems attached to it. That day, we had lunch at the Supatra River House restaurant. The food was magnificent with an array of cashew chicken, curries, Mongolian beef, rice, and noodle dishes. I especially loved the cashew chicken because it was so fresh and spicy! After the main course, we had fruit for dessert and were provided with tea and coffee. Moreover, we had the honor of meeting Jeff and had an excellent talk about doing business in Thailand. He talked about the advantages, disadvantages and challenges of being a businessman in Thailand, as well as the culture shocks and his experience of assimilating to the Thai lifestyle. He further discussed his business as a travel agent and the culture of the Thai people. He mentioned that Thai people are usually very sweet and smile at one another quite frequently as that is their encouraging gesture. We then handed Jeff a gift and waved our goodbyes. After meeting Jeff, we went on a beautiful boat ride in the Bang Ki Khan area on the Chao Phraya Express Boat company towards the Chao Phraya River. It was a long boat ride and it was a great transition after lunch. We were able to spot an animal that looked something like a crocodile that resides along the sides of the water. We were also able to see various structures and floating offices along the River. Additionally, we fed bread to the fish in the River and finished the boat ride. In the evening, we met with Chris Bruton who did a wonderful presentation on the economy of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and various other countries in Southeast Asia. We had a mini buffet with sandwiches, fruits, and soft drinks to accompany the presentation. To end off the day, we met on the second floor of the Century Park Hotel lounge area where everyone played pool and relaxed after our long day.
After arriving in Thailand the night before, this was our first full day in Thailand as a class. We had breakfast at the Century Park Hotel and departed to see the Grand Palace. We were a bit delayed due to an outpouring of rain. Due to the heavy rain, we had to purchase waterproof ponchos and bring jackets to keep us dry. However, it was worth it because the Royal Grand Palace was a beautiful sight to see! Since it was raining that day, it was not overly crowded so we were able to scurry through the Palace in a timely fashion. We also saw the Royal Temple which was built by King Rama in 1782 who belonged to the Chakri Dynasty. We were also able to see the famous Emerald Buddha which had gold and various gems attached to it. That day, we had lunch at the Supatra River House restaurant. The food was magnificent with an array of cashew chicken, curries, Mongolian beef, rice, and noodle dishes. I especially loved the cashew chicken because it was so fresh and spicy! After the main course, we had fruit for dessert and were provided with tea and coffee. Moreover, we had the honor of meeting Jeff and had an excellent talk about doing business in Thailand. He talked about the advantages, disadvantages and challenges of being a businessman in Thailand, as well as the culture shocks and his experience of assimilating to the Thai lifestyle. He further discussed his business as a travel agent and the culture of the Thai people. He mentioned that Thai people are usually very sweet and smile at one another quite frequently as that is their encouraging gesture. We then handed Jeff a gift and waved our goodbyes. After meeting Jeff, we went on a beautiful boat ride in the Bang Ki Khan area on the Chao Phraya Express Boat company towards the Chao Phraya River. It was a long boat ride and it was a great transition after lunch. We were able to spot an animal that looked something like a crocodile that resides along the sides of the water. We were also able to see various structures and floating offices along the River. Additionally, we fed bread to the fish in the River and finished the boat ride. In the evening, we met with Chris Bruton who did a wonderful presentation on the economy of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and various other countries in Southeast Asia. We had a mini buffet with sandwiches, fruits, and soft drinks to accompany the presentation. To end off the day, we met on the second floor of the Century Park Hotel lounge area where everyone played pool and relaxed after our long day.
Day 8: January 11
By: Dina Puthenpurakal
Today was beach day, the day several of us looked forward to as we could finally receive the Thai massages that we heard good things about and were all looking forward to! We took a long drive to Pattaya Beach, and it was definitely an eventful day! One of our classmates rented out a jetski and had an interesting experience, while others elected for getting massages, manicures and pedicures, and temporary henna tattoos. A few of us even went on a banana boat where they were unexpectedly dumped into the water twice. Surf’s kitchen received a lot of business from us that day, as we all decided to eat there and fuel up for the rest of the day ahead of us. Our tour guide taught us how to meditate while we were on the bus, and two books she recommended were The Magic of Thinking Big (for meditation purposes) and Thich Nhat Hahn (for conquering fears). I am definitely planning on reading these two as soon as I get back to the States!
After Pattaya beach, we had a farewell dinner on Chao Phraya, and it was bittersweet realizing that our adventures were nearing an end. The farewell dinner was the last official item on our course trip itinerary, and it was great reminiscing about our favorite memories during the past few days. We were only in Asia for less than 10 days, but the memories would definitely last a lifetime! After the farewell dinner, several of us went on a tuk-tuk tour to a Night Market, where we tried haggling our way to the best deals as we had done in the previous two countries. To our surprise however, the Thai shopkeepers really did not care if we walked away from the price they listed, since tourists were in surplus around this time. Nevertheless, I walked away with several great deals and took a tuk-tuk back to the hotel for the last night.
Today was beach day, the day several of us looked forward to as we could finally receive the Thai massages that we heard good things about and were all looking forward to! We took a long drive to Pattaya Beach, and it was definitely an eventful day! One of our classmates rented out a jetski and had an interesting experience, while others elected for getting massages, manicures and pedicures, and temporary henna tattoos. A few of us even went on a banana boat where they were unexpectedly dumped into the water twice. Surf’s kitchen received a lot of business from us that day, as we all decided to eat there and fuel up for the rest of the day ahead of us. Our tour guide taught us how to meditate while we were on the bus, and two books she recommended were The Magic of Thinking Big (for meditation purposes) and Thich Nhat Hahn (for conquering fears). I am definitely planning on reading these two as soon as I get back to the States!
After Pattaya beach, we had a farewell dinner on Chao Phraya, and it was bittersweet realizing that our adventures were nearing an end. The farewell dinner was the last official item on our course trip itinerary, and it was great reminiscing about our favorite memories during the past few days. We were only in Asia for less than 10 days, but the memories would definitely last a lifetime! After the farewell dinner, several of us went on a tuk-tuk tour to a Night Market, where we tried haggling our way to the best deals as we had done in the previous two countries. To our surprise however, the Thai shopkeepers really did not care if we walked away from the price they listed, since tourists were in surplus around this time. Nevertheless, I walked away with several great deals and took a tuk-tuk back to the hotel for the last night.
Day 9: January 12
By: Rob Wilson
Today is our last day of the program, and people have been trickling out of the hotel since early this morning. The breakdown of those staying for an extended trip or heading back to Chicago is about 50/50. My flight is at 12:55 am that night, technically the 13th, and therefore have a lot of time to kill. Dina, Sergio, and I ended up spending the day doing a limited exploration of the city, starting with walking through the markets in and around Victory Monument. We had lunch in the Boat Noodle Alley by the monument, in which I had my best curry of the trip, and then took the sky train to the Siam stop and walked through the luxury malls. We spent a good portion of this time trying to find a particular bag that my friend from back home, Aparna, asked me to pick up, and though we did find it, I ultimately did not buy it because I didn’t have enough Baht and the vendors didn’t seem trustworthy. We did actually find the legitimate version of the bag as well, and I contemplated getting that instead for a minute, but upon asking the store attendant and discovering it was over $500, I decided against it. After these adventures, we all headed back to the hotel and hung out in the lobby until it was my turn to head to the airport at 8 pm. Overall it was a great trip, and I learned a lot about the culture and business practices in the region.
Today is our last day of the program, and people have been trickling out of the hotel since early this morning. The breakdown of those staying for an extended trip or heading back to Chicago is about 50/50. My flight is at 12:55 am that night, technically the 13th, and therefore have a lot of time to kill. Dina, Sergio, and I ended up spending the day doing a limited exploration of the city, starting with walking through the markets in and around Victory Monument. We had lunch in the Boat Noodle Alley by the monument, in which I had my best curry of the trip, and then took the sky train to the Siam stop and walked through the luxury malls. We spent a good portion of this time trying to find a particular bag that my friend from back home, Aparna, asked me to pick up, and though we did find it, I ultimately did not buy it because I didn’t have enough Baht and the vendors didn’t seem trustworthy. We did actually find the legitimate version of the bag as well, and I contemplated getting that instead for a minute, but upon asking the store attendant and discovering it was over $500, I decided against it. After these adventures, we all headed back to the hotel and hung out in the lobby until it was my turn to head to the airport at 8 pm. Overall it was a great trip, and I learned a lot about the culture and business practices in the region.
Post-Trip Experience #1: January 13
By: Grace Senneff
Today was the last day of our planned school trip, and the day that some of us went to the elephant sanctuary, “Elephants World.” Mackenzie, Mike, Safia, George and I headed out at 8 a.m. on the dot with our tour guide, Key, in a van. It was a long ride to get there but I don’t think any of us minded because we were excited about the day. When we got there, there were four elephants just free-standing near the entrance, which i think gave us a screenshot into our day. We watched the elephants for a while, from behind bars, then fed them some fruit. (They prefer bananas). Then we took a ride out to a field and chopped down some grass that the elephants eat. Break for lunch. After lunch we made food for the elephants, although I was the only one brave enough to mash up the bananas with the dung/dirt concoction in a huge bowl. We made balls of this food and got to feed it right into the elephant's mouth. Finally, we walked down to a lake where two elephants were ready for their baths. Some of us…(Mike and Mackenzie), possibly traumatized by watching one of the elephants relieve themselves in the water, decided not to get in to bathe them. But Safia, George and I did get in, and we had buckets and scrub brushes to clean the elephants with. It was awesome being in the water with an animal that powerful and feeling secure and like we were making them feel good. I had such a great day with the elephants, one I will never forget. They are intelligent animals that deserve human respect and I think Elephants World achieves that. I thought it was a perfect way to end my time in Bangkok!
Post-Trip Experience #2: January 18
A Thursday in Bali
By: Dustin Weiss
By: Dustin Weiss
- Went upstairs in the hotel and ate breakfast on the third floor
- There are 5 different breakfast meal options. Regardless, a lot of food!
- Got dressed
- Took the scooter to Denpasar area
- Got a little bit lost, but what’s the fun in things if you don’t get lost!
- Didn’t stop anywhere, just rode through it to Denpasar City
- Came back to the hotel to change
- Took the scooter to Avocado Factory
- Just opened less than a month ago
- Great food with avocados at a reasonable price
- 5-minute ride from hotel
- Scooted to Tanah Lot
- About a 45-minute ride
- 60,000 Rupee entry fee, 3,000 fee for scooter and 5,000 fee for car to park
- Really beautiful place, but unfortunately I could not walk to it because of the high tide but it was still nice to see from a distance
- There were a lot of little markets and places around it, as you would imagine
- Bought some water and a t-shirt
- Drove back to the Canggu area
- Stopped at the Café Organic Garden Gangstas again
- Quick snack
- Went back to the hotel
- The hotel has great amenities and common areas to use (when it is not raining)
- Went for a swim with my hotel roommates
- Walked with one roommate to the Echo Beach area
- Grabbed dinner at Echo Beach Club Restaurant
- The food was phenomenal and incredibly fresh, but very expensive!!
- Walked to the hotel to retire for the night and sleep
Trip Summary
Comparative Consumer Behavior in Southeast Asia: January 4th–12th, 2018
By: Nayantara Abraham
To be perfectly honest, it is hard to describe this trip and what we gained from it without resorting to a bunch of tired clichés and superlatives. We were, for all intents and purposes, 15 strangers thrown together for a brief but intense experience abroad. We didn’t know what to expect, apart from a whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia, visiting three countries in just a little over ten days. For many of us, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand had until then just been names on the map and we did not know enough to even distinguish between them. With their shared borders and history, how different could these three countries be?
Our sensory extravaganza of Southeast Asian sights, smells, and sounds officially began in Ho Chi Minh City, although several of us had taken advantage of the New Year’s weekend to arrive a few days earlier and spend time in other parts of the subcontinent. We soon realized that the Vietnamese definition of “winter” differed ever so slightly from ours. Wilting in the 100 degree heat, it was to imagine that at that very moment, an arctic blast was tearing through Chicago. We were glad to meet the wonderful staff and distinguished alumni at the local Loyola campus. It was most illuminating to hear first-hand from entrepreneurs the political and legal issues involved in managing a business in such a vastly different cultural landscape. Sightseeing at the various city landmarks and museums revealed a great deal about “The American War” from another perspective. The early mornings and packed schedule kept us too busy to remember how jetlagged we were - until we fell gratefully into bed each night. Probably some of the most sound sleep we’ve ever had.
Our gastronomic adventure continued in Cambodia (or Kampuchea as it is known in the local Khmer). We dauntlessly tried new foods each night in Siem Reap while each day took us on an intrepid journey through a labyrinth of temple ruins, each with a more enchanting story than the last - the highlight, of course, being the indomitable Angkor Wat. Here, we were again confronted by the depredation caused by a war that had ended not so long ago. Despite the unimaginable horrors during those dark years and the regrettable fact that justice was never served, it was deeply touching to see how the Cambodian people have put it all behind them and are living fulfilling lives - a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of granting forgiveness even when forgiveness is not sought. Another great source of inspiration was the many NGOs with dedicated volunteers (both local and international) focused on improving the lives of young Cambodians, providing training in vocational skills that would lift them out of poverty.
Our cultural rollercoaster finally ground to a halt in Thailand. Coming from the small historical town of Siem Reap straight to the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, we immediately noticed the stark change in atmosphere. This country owes much of its unique culture to the fact that it has never been colonized by European powers. Evidence of the people’s reverence for the ruling monarchy is everywhere and the gender-fluid culture is embedded even in the lilting tones of the language. Decidedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, Thailand’s GDP is flourishing. There were the same familiar cars and night markets that we’d grown used to, but to our surprise now, the traffic was more streamlined and merchants less willing to bargain. The sheer opulence of the golden palaces harks back to the ruins in Cambodia, giving us a brief glimpse of what they must have looked like before the ravages of time and war made their indelible mark.
Not wanting the trip to end, some of us continued the celebration in other parts of Thailand while others made extended stopovers in various Asian countries on their way home. It’s only been 15 days since the trip ended but it took us less than 15 days abroad to go from 15 strangers to 15 friends who can’t go 15 minutes without texting each other - except in business school-speak, we call that networking.
By: Nayantara Abraham
To be perfectly honest, it is hard to describe this trip and what we gained from it without resorting to a bunch of tired clichés and superlatives. We were, for all intents and purposes, 15 strangers thrown together for a brief but intense experience abroad. We didn’t know what to expect, apart from a whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia, visiting three countries in just a little over ten days. For many of us, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand had until then just been names on the map and we did not know enough to even distinguish between them. With their shared borders and history, how different could these three countries be?
Our sensory extravaganza of Southeast Asian sights, smells, and sounds officially began in Ho Chi Minh City, although several of us had taken advantage of the New Year’s weekend to arrive a few days earlier and spend time in other parts of the subcontinent. We soon realized that the Vietnamese definition of “winter” differed ever so slightly from ours. Wilting in the 100 degree heat, it was to imagine that at that very moment, an arctic blast was tearing through Chicago. We were glad to meet the wonderful staff and distinguished alumni at the local Loyola campus. It was most illuminating to hear first-hand from entrepreneurs the political and legal issues involved in managing a business in such a vastly different cultural landscape. Sightseeing at the various city landmarks and museums revealed a great deal about “The American War” from another perspective. The early mornings and packed schedule kept us too busy to remember how jetlagged we were - until we fell gratefully into bed each night. Probably some of the most sound sleep we’ve ever had.
Our gastronomic adventure continued in Cambodia (or Kampuchea as it is known in the local Khmer). We dauntlessly tried new foods each night in Siem Reap while each day took us on an intrepid journey through a labyrinth of temple ruins, each with a more enchanting story than the last - the highlight, of course, being the indomitable Angkor Wat. Here, we were again confronted by the depredation caused by a war that had ended not so long ago. Despite the unimaginable horrors during those dark years and the regrettable fact that justice was never served, it was deeply touching to see how the Cambodian people have put it all behind them and are living fulfilling lives - a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of granting forgiveness even when forgiveness is not sought. Another great source of inspiration was the many NGOs with dedicated volunteers (both local and international) focused on improving the lives of young Cambodians, providing training in vocational skills that would lift them out of poverty.
Our cultural rollercoaster finally ground to a halt in Thailand. Coming from the small historical town of Siem Reap straight to the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, we immediately noticed the stark change in atmosphere. This country owes much of its unique culture to the fact that it has never been colonized by European powers. Evidence of the people’s reverence for the ruling monarchy is everywhere and the gender-fluid culture is embedded even in the lilting tones of the language. Decidedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, Thailand’s GDP is flourishing. There were the same familiar cars and night markets that we’d grown used to, but to our surprise now, the traffic was more streamlined and merchants less willing to bargain. The sheer opulence of the golden palaces harks back to the ruins in Cambodia, giving us a brief glimpse of what they must have looked like before the ravages of time and war made their indelible mark.
Not wanting the trip to end, some of us continued the celebration in other parts of Thailand while others made extended stopovers in various Asian countries on their way home. It’s only been 15 days since the trip ended but it took us less than 15 days abroad to go from 15 strangers to 15 friends who can’t go 15 minutes without texting each other - except in business school-speak, we call that networking.