Connecting Cultures and Commerce: Students Explore Vietnam
What can a factory visit in Vietnam teach students about the shoes they wear every day? For two North Seattle College students, the answer goes far beyond manufacturing. Through the Follow the Supply Chain Study Abroad Program, International Business Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) students Yocelin Santiago and Kisha Rambo explored global trade firsthand while discovering new perspectives on business, culture, and community.
Hosted by the Center of Excellence for Global Trade & Supply Chain Management’s Study Abroad initiative, the trip combined industry visits with cultural experiences. It gave students an opportunity to see how international supply chains operate beyond the classroom.
For Yocelin, a senior in North’s International Business program, visiting a factory that manufactures Brooks running shoes was a standout experience. Watching the production process helped her understand the many people and steps behind an everyday product.
“Seeing firsthand how many steps and how many people it takes to make a single pair of shoes changed the way I look at so many things we take for granted. Every product we buy has a story behind it, and most of the time we never see it,” Yocelin said.
Kisha gained a different perspective during a visit to the Saigon Port-Ship Security Assessment International Terminal (SSIT), where she saw Vietnam’s role in global shipping and logistics.
“The main focus of the trip was learning about the supply chain, and it let us see the other side of it, not just what leaves the ports in the U.S.,” Kisha added.
The visits helped connect concepts from coursework, including global trade, operations, economics, and cross-cultural communication, to real-world business. Kisha also developed an interest in Vietnam’s growing infrastructure and began considering trade policy as a potential professional path.
Beyond the industry visits, Kisha enjoyed exploring the Mekong Delta, visiting a temple for the first time, and experiencing a culture different from her own. These experiences offered memorable opportunities to learn about life in Vietnam beyond the classroom.
“It showed me that you can do a lot with little. The Vietnamese people I met made use of what the land provides, and it reminded me that a full, abundant life doesn’t depend on how much money you have,” Kisha said.
For both students, the people they met were just as memorable as the places they visited. Yocelin especially valued the friendships formed with students from different colleges, programs, and backgrounds across Washington.
“For me, those genuine, open, and sometimes vulnerable moments with my travel cohort were the most meaningful part of the whole experience,” Yocelin said.
The trip left both students with more than new knowledge of international business. Kisha returned with a broader perspective and a desire to learn more about how countries connect with the United States, while Yocelin saw how experiences outside the classroom can help students envision their future careers.
“Programs like this let students step into industries they might never see otherwise, and they help us imagine, and start building, the professional paths we want to follow,” Yocelin added.
Both encourage North students to take advantage of opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, approach new experiences with an open mind, and build connections with people from different backgrounds.
Dr. Honorio Todino, international business department coordinator, said the trip was supported by the Seattle Colleges Foundation, corporate sponsors in Washington state, and a minimal fee from the participating students. "This is a high-value, high-impact learning experience for students who have the motivation to develop their careers. It is a unique opportunity to grow through international experiences," he said.
Students interested in participating in future Vietnam study-abroad opportunities can contact Dr. Todino, program coordinator. The opportunity is open to students in North Seattle College’s BAS in International Business program.